How to Interpret Proverbs - Proverbs (Part 12)

PR O V E R B S PROVERBS W i s d o m W i s d o m f o f o r r a l l a l l Interpreting Proverbs Part 2: Pitfalls of Application & Interpretation How is this product not to be used? What is the problem with “off-label” use of prescription drugs? “In 1 study, off-label use of drugs was associated with a 44% overall higher likelihood of adverse 11 effects in adults. In children, the relative risk of adverse events for off-label vs on-label prescribing is reported to be as high as 3.44.” 11 11T. Eguale, D.L. Buckeridge, A. Verma, et al. Association of Off-label Drug Use and Adverse Drug Effects in an Adult Population JAMA Int Med, 176 (2016), pp. 55-63 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452302X23000116#bib12. accessed 5 April 2025 The Warning Labels of Proverbs 1. A fool can disable a proverb (26:7). 2. A fool can weaponise a proverb (26:9). 1. A fool can disable a proverb (26:7). Proverbs 26:7 (ESV) Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Proverbs 26:7 (ESV) Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 1. Lame people have legs, but their legs are useless. 2. Fools can quote proverbs but not helpfully for themselves or others. As C. H. Toy puts it, the fool is a “proverbmonger” (Proverbs [ICC], 474); he handles an aphorism about as well as a lame man can walk. The fool does not understand, has not implemented, and cannot explain the proverb. It is useless to him even though he repeats it. Note on Proverbs 26:7 from the NET Bible. How would you know if you were a “proverb-monger”? 2. A fool can weaponise a proverb (26:9). Proverbs 26:9 (ESV) Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Translation Issue: Proverbs 26:9 (ESV) Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Proverbs 26:9 (CSB) A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard. “A thorn bush in the hands of a person who does not know where he is going or what he is doing is like the proverbial rearms in the hand of a child. “ fi Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), 353. “A proverb in the mouth of the wise brings healing, but in the mouth of a fool it wounds and lacerates (cf. 10:32; 11:9, 11; 12:18; 13:16b; 14:3; passim).” Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), 353. Do you think that Christians have ever used the book of Proverbs in ways that wound or lacerate themselves or others? The “On-Label” Use of Proverbs fi Proverbs 25:11–12 (ESV) A word tly spoken is like apples of gold in a 12 setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. “Orelli says: ‘A word is commended which is spoken whenever the precise time arrives to which it is 95 adapted. Handing down the carefully crafted decision that in every way is proper to the circumstances of its composition and delivery (i.e., at the right time and in the right way) enhances its aesthetic impression and its moral in uence.” 95 Delitzsch, Proverbs, p. 370. fl Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), 320–321. Unskilled user of Proverbs Wise reprover Fool There’s a continuum between a moral fool, a Christian who is unskilled in the word, and a wise reprover. What are some proverbs that are commonly misapplied? Commonly Misapplied Proverbs Proverbs 31:26 (ESV) She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness [lit. loving loyalty] is on her tongue. Misapplication: Wise and godly women say only nice things that don’t hurt other people’s feelings. How can godly women practice Proverbs 27:6 if they can never say anything hard or dif cult for fear of not being “nice”? fi Proverbs 27:6 (ESV) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Why “nice” is not the point of Proverbs 31:26 “Speci cally loving teaching . . . is on her tongue . . . probably signi es that her teaching is informed by her own loving kindness. If so, her generous sacri cing of herself to help those in need models her instruction (cf. 13:14). Without that sublimity, notes Delitzsch, her industry is without virtue.” Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15– fi fi fi 31, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), 532. Commonly Misapplied Proverbs Proverbs 11:13 (ESV) Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Misapplication: Keep everything bad covered up. Otherwise, you are a slanderer. How do we know that scandals are not to be covered up? Proverbs 27:5 (ESV) Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 5:14 (ESV) I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.” How do we know that scandals are not to be covered up? Ephesians 5:11–13 (ESV) Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead 12 expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in 13 secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, How do we know that scandals are not to be covered up? 1 Timothy 5:19–20 (ESV) Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the 20 evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. How do we know that scandals are not to be covered up? 1 Timothy 5:24–25 (ESV) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear 25 later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not [good] cannot remain hidden. What harms can even well-meaning Christians in ict by misapplying proverbs? • false guilt • abuse of power • covering up scandal • undermining the authorial intent of fl scripture • disillusionment with God (because “promises” were not kept) Common Interpretation Mistakes in Proverbs 1. Turning the proverbs into blanket promises Are the proverbs blanket promises? blanket promise: “a promise that will 'cover' (or hold true for) every possibility, like a blanket can cover many things” Blanket Promise : r/EnglishLearning - Reddit accessed 3 April 2025 Not exactly Revision What is a proverb? a short, salty saying Are inspired proverbs true? YES!!! 2 Timothy 3:16a fi “All scripture is breathed out by God and is pro table . . . “ Are proverbs a genre that spells out all of the caveats of when and where they should be applied? NO!!! If they did, they would each become a paragraph and no longer maxims or short salty sayings. Do these proverbs invalidate each other? Many hands make light work. Too many cooks spoil the broth. How do you know which one to apply? Many hands make light work. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Look in the kitchen! fi What does the phrase “ t for purpose” mean in common usage? adjective mainly UK (also t-for-purpose) "suitable and good enough to do what it is intended to do” fi https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ t-for-purpose. accessed 3 April 2025 fi fi t for purpose What is the intended purpose(s) of the Proverbs? • to give wisdom (skill for living) • See the 5 purpose statements in Proverbs 1:2-6 What are the intended purpose(s) of the Proverbs? 2To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and 5 discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. How should we think of the proverbs, i.e., short, salty sayings intended to give us skill for living? How should we think of the Gospels? Are the Gospels intended to do the same thing for/in us that the Proverbs do? For example: Are the miracles in the Gospels intended to teach me how to live skillfully? The Gospels are intended to teach me how to obtain eternal life through knowing the Father and the Son (John 17:3). The miracles in the Gospels are intended to build my faith in the Son. While Jesus’ miracles are instructive, they not meant to teach us how to live skillfully like Proverbs is meant to teach us. Common Interpretation Mistakes in Proverbs 1. Turning the proverbs into blanket promises (not every tool is a hammer) 2. Mistaking the “for you” audiences (plural) with the “to you” audience All scripture is written for us, but not all scripture was written to us. Romans 15:4 (ESV) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. fi fi fi A. “Whatever was written in former days” was written to a speci c audience in a speci c era of redemptive history. B. However, whatever was written in former days was written “for our instruction” or for our bene t in our era of redemptive history. A. Proverbs was written to an audience under the Mosaic Covenant. B. We are not under the Mosaic Covenant. C. How then is Proverbs written “for our instruction”? fi Answer: We let the New Testament guide us in applying the parts of Proverbs that t under “the law of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 9:21 (ESV) To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. What is the Law of Christ? “The law of Christ includes the moral norms of the Old Testament law, as Romans 13:8– 10 indicates. Those laws continue to be authoritative, not because they are part of the Mosaic law, but because they constitute God’s character.” ti Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 Corinthians: An Introduc on and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018), 192. How does the Law of Christ overlap with Proverbs? The moral norms in Proverbs that are universal, rather than limited to Israel, are part of the law of Christ. Group Activity Scan through Proverbs 6 and list the moral norms/laws that are applied to believers under the New Covenant (in the New Testament). What is this? https://www.supercheapauto.com.au fi What are some proverbs that might not be a good t for the New Testament Christian who is no longer under the Mosaic Covenant? The proverbs that reward right behaviour with physical blessings in the land of Canaan. Mosaic Covenant land promises Proverbs 2:21-22 (ESV) For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain 22 in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, Deuteronomy 27:26–28:2 (ESV)“ ‘Cursed be anyone who does not con rm the words of this law by doing them.’. . 1 . “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, . . . all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. fi Proverbs land promises Proverbs, as a continuation/application of the Old Covenant, ties obedience to physical blessings in Canaan. The New Covenant (and The Law of Christ) no longer connects our obedience to promised physical blessings in the land of Canaan per the blessings and curses at Mounts Gerizim and Ebal (Deuteronomy 27-28). Remembering that we are not under the curses of the Mosaic Law nor direct recipients of the original land promises to Israel helps us make sense of what (not) to do with promises of physical blessings in Proverbs. Proverbs affected by Mosaic Covenant land promises. Proverbs 10:30 (ESV) The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. Proverbs 10:30 (ESV) The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. Proverbs wealth promises Deuteronomy 28:8 (ESV) The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Proverbs 3:9–10 (ESV) Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the rstfruits of all your produce; 10then your barns will be lled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. fi fi Mosaic Covenant wealth promises Proverbs wealth promises Deuteronomy 8:18 (ESV) You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may con rm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Proverbs 8:18 (ESV) Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. fi Mosaic Covenant wealth promises New Covenant Perspective on Wealth fi Mark 10:23 (ESV) And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How dif cult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” Hebrews 11:26 (ESV) He [Moses] considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. New Covenant Perspective on Wealth 1 Timothy 6:9 (ESV) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:17–18 (ESV) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who 18 richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, Common Interpretation Mistakes in Proverbs 1. Turning the proverbs into blanket promises 2. Mistaking the “for you” audiences (plural) with the “to you” audience (singular) 3. Making one proverb the sum total of Divine revelation on that topic Proverbs as a set of wrenches fi The proverbs are meant to be used as a set out of which you choose the proverb that most nearly ts onto your situation. Proverbs on Wealth Proverbs 3:16 (ESV) Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. If this is the only statement that Proverbs makes about riches, then it would seem that Proverbs is equating riches with having wisdom. Therefore, I should desire and plan for my net worth to grow as I pursue and implement the wisdom of Proverbs. But is Proverbs 3:16 the only statement on wealth in Proverbs? Proverbs 3:16 (ESV) Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Proverbs 15:16 (ESV) Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Proverbs 16:8 (ESV) Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. What about Proverbs and Poverty? Proverbs 13:18 (ESV) Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Proverbs 28:19 (ESV) Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. But Is Poverty Always Bad? Proverbs 19:1 (ESV) Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Proverbs 16:19 (ESV) It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 28:6 (ESV) Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. fi If you ignore the “better than” proverbs, you are throwing away the only wrenches that will t certain situations in your life. Proverbs on Hard Work Proverbs 10:4 (ESV) A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 12:27 (ESV) Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. But . . . Proverbs 23:4 (ESV) Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. If you ignore the “modifying” or seemingly “contradictory” proverbs, you will not have the skill to keep your life in balance.