Does each culture seem to have its own unique collection of wisdom?Brief ideas from your wise men. These portions of wisdom are often preserved as proverbs. We have sayings in American culture. I mean saying like” A warned man is worth two?”Or “Money saved is money earned. “
Does the Bible clearly have a complete book of these little words?The Book of Proverbs; however, this compilation of wise sayings is different from all other collections, because these words reflect not only human wisdom, but also divine wisdom, because these words are inspired. Jesus.
- However.
- We must be very careful in the way we approach and implement these wise words.
- Just being inspired does not mean that biblical sayings are like laws.
- Imposing a universal obligation.
- But some people treat them as divine commandments.
- If we look at them like that.
- We’ll find all sorts of problems.
- Sayings.
- Though inspired by God.
- Do not necessarily apply to all situations in life.
- On the contrary.
- They reflect perceptions that are generally true.
To illustrate this point, let me remind you of two proverbs of our own culture. First, we often say, “Think carefully before you act!”It’s a valuable idea. But we have another proverb that seems to counter it: “Whoever doesn’t take a chance doesn’t win. “If we tried to apply these two proverbs at the same time and in the same way, in all situations, we would be in many situations, wisdom suggests that we carefully examine where we should walk, so as not to move blindly; at the same time, we cannot be so paralyzed, by analyzing the pros and cons of our next step, that we doubt. too much before we make a decision, to the point of losing opportunities when presented to us.
Of course, we don’t mind finding seemingly contradictory sayings in our own cultural wisdom. But when we find them in the Bible, we find ourselves dealing with questions about the reliability of the scriptures. Let me cite a well-known example. The book of Proverbs says, “Don’t answer the fool with the same madness?(26: 4a). In the next verse we read: “Respond to the madman as his madness deserves?(26:5a). How can we follow these opposite instructions?How can they both be statements of wisdom?
Again, according to the example above, the answer depends on the situation. There are certain circumstances in which it is unwise to respond to the fool according to his foolishness, but there are other circumstances in which it is prudent to respond to the fool according to his foolishness. Proverbs 26: 4 says, “Do not answer the fool according to his madness, that he may not become like him?”(emphasis added). If someone is saying something stupid, it’s usually unwise to try to talk to him, such an argument won’t get you anywhere and anyone trying to continue the argument with the madman risks falling into the same madness. there are circumstances in which it is better to remain silent.
At other times, however, it can be helpful to respond to the madman according to his madness. Proverbs 26:5 says 😕 He responds to the fool as he deserves his madness, otherwise will he think he really is a wise man?(Emphasis added). Although better known as a form of art used by ancient Greek philosophers, the Hebrews already understood and used, sometimes in biblical teaching, one of the most effective forms of argumentation. I am talking about reductio ad absurdum, which reduces the other person’s argument through this technique, it is possible to show a person the necessary and logical conclusion that arises from his argument and then demonstrate that his premises finally lead to an absurd conclusion. argument, sometimes it can be used very effectively to respond to the idiot according to his madness. You go into your territory and say, “Okay, I’m going to take your point of view, bring it to the logical conclusion and show madness it contains. “
Thus, the book of Proverbs aims to give us practical guidelines for everyday experiences; it is a careless treasure of the Old Testament, with an incalculable wealth in its pages, which is at our disposal, with the aim of guiding our lives. and concrete counsel, which come from the spirit of God Himself. If we want wisdom, it is the source from which we must drink. The fool will neglect this source. He who is hungry for the wisdom of God will always drink it; We must listen to God’s wisdom to put an end to the many distractions and confusions of modern life; However, as must happen throughout the Word of God, we must be jealous to learn how to properly administer the book of Proverbs.