Year 1, Week 44, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 44, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Proverbs 10-12.

Today’s reading begins a new section in the Book of Proverbs. Whereas Proverbs 1-9 is composed of a multiple segments of a father instructed his son in the need for and the way of wisdom, Proverbs 10-22 consist of short pithy sayings which contrast wisdom and righteousness with folly and wickedness (there are approximately 375 sayings in Proverbs 10-22). These proverbial sayings, which is what we commonly associate with the Book of Proverbs, intersect with practical life themes such as work ethic, money, speech, family relationships, friendships, and governmental matters. In the short statements expressed throughout this segment, a sharp contrast is revealed between the wise and righteous way of considering the themes of work ethic, money, speech, family relationships, friendships, and governmental matters, and the foolish and wicked way of considering these themes. There is a way of wisdom and there is a way of folly and the paths of each way are sharply contrasted. Coupled with the sharp contrasts are clearly defined rewards or consequences at the end of each path. Health, happiness, contentment, a good reputation, perhaps wealth, and immortality are at the end of the wise and righteous path, while trouble, pain, an untimely death, and the judgment of God are ready to meet the disobedient at the end of the foolish and wicked path.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the antithetical formulation of most of the sayings: “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 10:1-3). The proverbial sayings are formed in such a manner that two clear ways of living are presented. The wise way is the righteous way and the foolish way is the wicked way. Or, arranged from the other way around: the righteous way is the way of wisdom and the wicked way is the way of folly. While righteousness and wickedness are distinct from wisdom and folly, we should come to see that they are overlapping and interrelated matters. The contrasting statements in today’s reading reinforce the relationship between wisdom and righteousness.

One sharp contrast introduced in today’s reading is the connection between diligence and laziness: “The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame” (Proverbs 10:4-5). There are several things intersecting in these proverbial statements: the provision of the LORD toward the righteous, the connection between righteousness and diligence, the consequences for diligence, and the effect of personal diligence upon others such as parents. Stringing all of these components together sets forth a positive, yet generalized reality that the LORD does not let the righteous go hungry because the righteous diligently work, which is the normal means of the LORD’s provision. Conversely, the wicked are frustrated in their desires for they do not avail themselves to the means of the LORD’s provision.

The themes of diligence and laziness continue throughout the Book of Proverbs. In previous readings, the connection between laziness and poverty has already been stated: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:10-11; this exact saying is repeated in Proverbs 24:33-34). And in subsequent readings, the causes of poverty are further examined. Not being teachable contributes to poverty: “Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored” (Proverbs 13:18). Talking instead of working gives rise to poverty: “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23). Idleness leads to poverty: “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger” (Proverbs 19:15). Hastiness promotes poverty: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). Overindulgence advances poverty: “Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17). Drunkenness and gluttony has a hand in poverty: "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags” (Proverbs 23:20-21). Unproductive pursuits furthers poverty: “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty” (Proverbs 28:19).

It is the nature of the proverbial sayings to simply state factors that are instrumental to poverty. These simple statements surround the conversation about poverty with elements of shame and stigma. The nature of the proverbial sayings must be remembered: the sayings in Proverbs are not expressed in complicated ways; nor do they provide nuance. Therefore, the proverbial saying should be regarded as general observations about what is typically the case. While there are moral causes affiliated with poverty, there is also a need for discernment concerning a compassionate response to the poor. The Book of Proverbs do not permit a hardened view toward the poor: “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him” (Proverbs 14:31); and: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17); and: “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe