Sermon Tone Analysis

Verse 1

Verse 1b, c forms a complete merismus, that is, all the parts interrelate.

“Father” and “mother” are of course the parents of the household, and the proverb points out how much their happiness as a family depends on the child’s behavior.

The collection emphasizes the economic aspect since sons were responsible for the care of parents in old age.

They could either squander the family estate or build it up.

This section forces the young man to face the economic responsibility he bears for the family.

Verse 2

Verse 4 makes the point that diligence leads to wealth as laziness to poverty,196 but the collection goes beyond secular aphorisms.

“Righteousness delivers from death” (v. 2) has an eschatological sense.

More is indicated in the promise than a long life (although the life and security of the family must be the primary meaning).

Verse 2a implies in context that God will be the enemy of the family if the son tries to enrich it by crime or corruption.

Verse 3

Significantly, the text does not attribute the security of the wise strictly to their work habits.

Even the most diligent are subject to powers beyond their control.

It is the Lord who protects them from the pangs of starvation (v.

3a).197

Verse 3, standing in the middle of this collection, is crucial.

Nothing else the son might ever do can have as positive an impact on his family as a life of faithfulness to God.

Verse 4

Verse 5

Verse 5 is obviously drawn from agricultural life, but it has implications in other areas as well.

As McKane notes, “It is also a representative saying about any son who displays acumen and mettle when his father most needs him, or, contrariwise, who fails when he is put to the test and by his weakness and uselessness brings his father into contempt.”

Verse 6

Verse 7

Verse 8