We complete our VERY brief overview of the Proverbs by looking at a few of the key character types represented there. We go on to talk about the Wisdom Psalms and how Psalm 1 and 2 orient us to the way of wisdom.

In this session of our brief overview of the Proverbs, we look at the structure of the book, the way proverbs work, and some of the characters that are presented in Proverbs and other Wisdom Literature.

We begin our brief overview of Proverbs by considering the book’s place in Culture and in the Canon and thinking about the context of Solomon’s primary authorship. The Proverbs, like Job and Ecclesiastes, call us to focus on “The Fear of the LORD [YHWH]” as the starting point for true wisdom.

After the “Professor” warns about some of wisdom’s vulnerabilities (9:11-10:20), he exhorts us to 1) be bold and risky in generosity (11:1-6), 2) be joyful in our “youth,” (11:7-10) and 3) be soberly mindful of our Creator as old age and death are unavoidable (12:1-8). And then comes the final great summary: “Fear God and…

The “Professor” ponders the usefulness of wisdom and the fear of God in light of the evil that lies heavy upon us and the finality of death that seemingly makes life absurd.

The “Professor” moves from just raising perplexing questions to giving some proverbial wisdom. He then ponders the balance of righteousness and wickedness and the inscrutable nature of human nature.

The “Professor” continues to ponder perplexing questions in the mist of life and also gives some advice on what is good and fitting to do in light of God’s providential oversight of all things.

As the “Professor” observes that all things “fit beautifully” by God’s providence, he ponders the exceptions. How can we find meaning and “gain” in life when things are not as they should be? What advice is there for the one who wishes to live the “good life.”

As the “Professor” runs his experiment in life to see what is really good for humanity to be pursuing, he comes to the conclusion that there is nothing better than to eat, drink and enjoy all one’s labor – this is a gift from God. He then goes on to ponder God’s providential timing of…

In the first verses of Qohelet – the “Professor” suggests that everything is hevel – a mist, a vapor. He then goes on to ponder the question, “What can a person gain from all their toils under the sun?” Because our lives are so short, so transitory, we do not have it in ourselves to…