1
Q
- Define a proverb, knowing the characteristics listed in McCabe’s definition [possible essay].
A
“A proverb is a concise, memorable saying, usually in poetic form, expressing a generally accepted observation about life as filtered through biblical revelation”
-Robert McCabe
2
Q
- Know the three dangers in interpreting Proverbs and what each means [possible essay].
A
Subjectivism – “What it means to me”
Isolationism – Failure to compare with other Scriptures
Absolutism – Taking them as commands or promises rather than as proverbs.
3
Q
- What are the three sources of OT revelation?
A
Law – called to obey
Prophets – called to believe
Wisdom – called to think
4
Q
- What are the three principal books of OT wisdom literature, and what is the theme of each?
A
Job – Why do the righteous suffer? Does God rule the world fairly?
Ecclesiastes – Is life worth living? Is there a life worth living?
Proverbs – How to live in a world ruled by God. How to live the life worth living.
5
Q
- How did we address the liberal objection to the optimism of Proverbs as compared to Job and Ecclesiastes?
A
The error of Job’s 3 friends was that they applied these truths to a particular person’s situation as though they are absolutes.
6
Q
- What are the five major categories of poetic parallelism in Hebrews? Be able to identify each.
A
Contrast/Antithetic Parallelism
Comparison/Emblematic Parallelism
Synonymy/Synonymous Parallelism
Subordination/Formal Parallelism
Intensification/Climactic Parallelism
7
Q
- What is the danger of ignoring parallelism, and how did we explain Proverbs 29:18 in light of its parallelism?
A
We will likely misinterpret the proverb if we don’t consider the whole thing.
Vision = divine revelation (paralleled with “law”)
Perish = cast off restraint (cf. Exod. 32:25)
Note parallelism
In the absence of revelation from God, people will be uncontrolled. But the man who keeps God’s law will be happy.
8
Q
- What is the outline of Proverbs (seven major points with references).
A
I. Father’s Praise of Wisdom (1:8-9:18)
II. First Collection of Solomonic Proverbs (10:1- 22:16)
III. Sayings of the Wise (22:17-24:22)
& More Sayings of the Wise (24:23-34)
IV. Solomonic Proverbs Collected by Hezekiah (25:1-29:27)
V. Words of Agur (30:1-33)
VI. Words of Lemuel (31:1-9)
VII. Wife of Noble Character (31:10-31)
9
Q
- Who are the named authors of Proverbs?
A
Solomon, unnamed wise men (22:17-24:34), Agur (30), King Lemuel (31:1-9)
10
Q
- What is the literal meaning of the word proverb?
A
comparison (literal meaning)
11
Q
- What are the two purposes of Proverbs?
A
- To train in wisdom
- To develop discernment
12
Q
- What is wisdom?
A
- “Knowing and choosing the best means for the best ends” (Jim Berg)
- The skill to live life as God intends it io be lived.
- Seeing life from God’s perspective and making choices in accordance with that perspective.
13
Q
- What is the Good Path Trilogy, and what does each element mean?
A
The Good Path Trilogy is the result of choosing properly.
Justice = what is right (conformance to God’s standard)
Judgment = what is just (in dealings with others)
Equity = what is fair (a life that is pleasing to God and others)
14
Q
- Who needs the wisdom of Proverbs and why?
A
- The simpleton who is naïve and undecided
He needs wisdom to close the door to sin - The Wise Man
Everyone needs more wisdom
15
Q
- Proverbs gives the skill to interpret what four kinds of wisdom sayings?
A
- Proverbs
- Parables (interpretation) = ambiguous, allusive statements (cf. Hab. 2:6)
- Sayings
- Riddles (dark sayings) = puzzles and paradoxes (cf. Samson’s riddle and the puzzles of the Queen of Sheba.
16
Q
- What is the “motto” of Proverbs?
A
The fear of the Lord
17
Q
- What is the fear of the Lord – what does it include and exclude? [possible essay]
A
Yes:
Jonah 1:10 - Strong fear (terror) of a controlling power – Just like fear of a parent when they are going to punish you.
1 Kings 3:28 - Awe of one’s greatness (or wisdom)
Leviticus 19:3 - Respect or reverence for one’s parents
Reverence for God because of His position of authority
Awe of God’s power and greatness
Strong fear that He is in control, not I
No:
Deuteronomy 1:21 – Dread of enemies
For the believer, dread of God as an enemy is dispelled by love and faith.
18
Q
- What does it mean that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom?
A
We must have a right relationship with God to begin living wisely. The beginning of wisdom = is the source of wisdom, the spring that bubbles up with wisdom
19
Q
- What does it mean that fools despise wisdom?
A
Fools consider wisdom and instruction as worthless and not worth the trouble: they despise them.
20
Q
- How many lectures are there in the “Father’s Praise of Wisdom”? How many interludes are there, and what characterizes the interludes? In which chapters are the interludes?
A
There are 10 lectures and 2 interludes. Interlude 1 involves Lady Wisdom crying out, and interlude 2 is Wisdom’s invitation and description. The interludes are in chapters 1 and 8.
21
Q
- What phrase is used 13 times in this section to get the reader’s attention?
A
“My son” (1 my children)
22
Q
- The first lecture contrasts what two sources of information?
A
Instruction = discipline
Law – comes from root meaning “direction”
23
Q
- Parents’ teaching is described using what two words, and what do these words indicate?
A
Instruction and discipline
24
Q
- What word describes the youths that may tempt Solomon’s son?
A
overconfident
25
25. What is the nature of the temptation?
Easy money through crime
26
26. What is the meaning of Solomon’s aviary analogy?
Don’t be more stupid than a bird
27
27. What son of Solomon ironically failed this very first test?
Rehoboam
28
28. Why does Lady Wisdom cry out in the marketplace?
She is valuable for daily life
29
29. Who are the three groups of people she addresses?
1. The simple – morally naïve
2. The scorners – morally defiant
3. The fools – morally insensitive
30
30. What does it mean when we read that Wisdom will laugh at the fool in the day of calamity?
Years of squandering decisions does not leave room for becoming wise when they need to in a whirlwind. Nobody will actually laugh, but it is laughable to think one can become instantly wise just because he needs to be.
31
31. What is the progression in seeking wisdom in lecture 2?
1. Receive the words of wisdom
2. Treasure these words
3. Incline your ear and apply your heart
4. Cry out and lift up your voice
5. Seek and search diligently
6. Result: when we seek wisdom, we find God
32
32. What is the relationship between our seeking wisdom and God giving wisdom?
Seeking wisdom causes us to get to know God better and better. As we get to know God more, we pursue wisdom more. We find because God gives.
33
33. What does “strange woman” mean in this context?
The strange woman is an Israelite woman to lives like a foreigner. Literal meaning of the word means foreigner. Acting contrary to God’s covenant with Israel.
34
34. Who, most likely, is the “guide of her youth”?
Her marriage contract. She is cheating on her husband.
35
35. What is the structure of lecture 3?
It is 12 verses long
36
36. What are the six imperatives of wisdom, and what is the promise attached to each?
Remember (1) = Long life and blessing (2)
Not always true because it is a Proverb, but a general rule.
Commit (3) = Grace and understanding (4)
Loving kindness (unfailing love) and faithfulness
Trust (5-6a) = Direction from the Lord (6b)
Life will not necessarily be easy, but it will be Godly and moral.
Be Humble (7) = Spiritual health (8)
Admit you need help! The world does not want us to do this!
Honor (9) = Abundance (10)
The firstfruits of your stuff.
37
37. What kinds of sins against our neighbor are warned against?
Sins of omission (27-28)
Sins of commission (29-30)
38
38. What are the four contrasts in lecture 4?
An enemy of God or a close Friend of God
Cursed by God or Blessed by God
Scorned by God or Graced by God
Shamed by God or Honored by God
39
39. How is wisdom transmitted in lecture 5?
It is transmitted through generational instruction in verses 1-4a.
40
40. What are two reasons to avoid evil?
It enslaves (16-17)
It endangers (18-19)
41
41. What metaphor shows the danger of evil in lecture 6?
The righteous who walk in the light of the sun and the wicked who walk in the darkness and stumble over obstacles they are unaware of.
42
42. What is the point of all the anatomical references in lecture 7?
Total devotion
43
43. What is the meaning of the key principle in 4:23?
Guard your heart and make this your highest priority because the heart is the wellspring (issues, comes out) of your life.
44
44. What are three manifestations of the guarded heart?
1. Pure Speech (24)
2. Fixed attention (25)
3. Unswerving devotion (26-27)
45
45. What is the organization of lecture 8 on marriage?
It is a poem about marriage.
46
46. What does “her end” mean? What is her principal strategy?
Her end = where she will take you (her goal) (4-5)
Her principal strategy is to get you to forget or ignore the consequences (6)
47
47. What does 5:14 mean?
He was on the brink of ruin (almost in all evil)
With advisors and support all around me, I have destroyed my life.
48
48. What three points does Solomon make about avoiding promiscuity in 5:15-17?
* Find your satisfaction at home.
* Should you seek it abroad. (v. 16 is a question)
* Be jealous of your purity.
49
49. What vivid metaphor does he use in this passage to portray sexual satisfaction?
running water
50
50. What solution does Solomon advance for avoiding immorality?
Find your satisfaction at home. Because sex is “intoxicating”, be careful where you seek it.
51
51. What other context employs the word “ravished” in Proverbs, giving it what other meaning?
Alcohol
52
52. What are three reasons to be morally pure given at the end of the lecture?
1. Sex is too intimate – too precious – to share with a stranger.
2. God sees all and will hold you accountable.
3. Be sure your sin will find you out!
53
53. What are four pitfalls for the unwary? In which chapter do they occur?
1. Debt (1-5)
2. Laziness (6-11)
3. Making Mischief (12-15)
4. Seven Abominations (16-19)
They occur in chapter 6
54
54. What is the point of the warning against putting up security for a stranger?
Don’t put up security for someone when you don’t have the money to fix it if they flub it up.
55
55. What example does Solomon use to teach against laziness? In what two ways are the exemplars superior to sluggards?
He uses the example of the ant.
* They do not require an overseer.
* They prepare in advance.
* They have industry and initiative.
56
56. What does “naughty person” literally mean?
“Naughty person” = Son of Belial (worthless)
57
57. What are the characteristics of the evil man in 6:12-15?
* Corrupt speech everywhere (walks with froward mouth)
* Winks with eyes, signals with feet, motions with fingers – rebellious nonverbal communication
* Creates trouble because trouble is in his heart
58
58. What does the poetic formula in 6:16-19 mean?
It is representative, not exhaustive.
59
59. What surprising sin is the culmination of the list of deadly sins?
Gossip
60
60. The ninth lecture once again warns against what sin?
Adultery
61
61. What are the two consequences of adultery given at the end of lecture 9?
1. The shame (30-32)
2. The danger (33-35)
62
62. What is the title of lecture 10? In which chapter does it occur?
The Unchaste Wife’s Seductive Traits. It occurs in chapter 7
63
63. What is “the little man in the eye” and what is the point of this metaphor?
The “little man in the eye” is the reflection of yourself when you look into someone else’s eye (pupil). Concern for wise advice should be as careful as care for the pupil.
64
64. What does Sheol usually mean in Proverbs?
Death and destruction, which we know means Hell.
65
65. What are four descriptions of the simpleton in our story?
1. Simple
2. Young
3. Naiive
4. In the wrong place at the wrong time
66
66. What are four descriptions of the seductress in our story?
1. Dressed immorally
2. With crafty intentions
3. A liberated woman
4. A predator
67
67. What are the four steps in the seduction?
1. Catch and Kiss
2. Concoct a Story
3. Carefully Prepare – Note the appeal to his senses
4. Calmly Reassure – My husband will be gone for awhile: don’t worry!
68
68. What does straightway mean in this text?
Straightway is a Hebrew word that literally means “all at once” – this implies brief indecision and then the plunge.
69
69. What is the difference between how Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly approach people?
Lady Wisdom is:
Excellent = Princely, above worldly wisdom
Truthful
Right
Plain
Lady Folly approaches as:
Dressed immorally
With crafty intentions
A liberated woman
A predator
70
70. What is the wisdom that offers herself to people?
God’s eternal wisdom
71
71. How did Arians misuse Proverbs 8 to teach that Christ is a creature, and how did early orthodox people fall into their hands?
Arians denied the deity of Christ by saying that:
Wisdom in chapter 8 = Jesus Christ
Possessed in 8:22 should be translated created, therefore, Jesus Christ was created by God.
Orthodox Response:
1. Response of the Fathers
a. Yes, Wisdom = Jesus
b. Hebrew word means possessed, not created
c. The Son was possessed, set up, and brought forth at the creation in the sense that He manifested His creative wisdom at that time.
72
72. What is a better explanation of wisdom in 8:22-31?
Typical Modern response
a. Wisdom is a personification of God’s attribute, not intended to portray the second Person of the Trinity
b. God’s wisdom was manifested in Creation
73
73. What is the structure of chapter 9?
The Feast of Wisdom (1-6)
Responses to Wisdom’s Appeal (7-12)
The Feast of Folly (13-18)
74
74. What preparations does Lady Wisdom make for her feast?
1. Her house is ready (1)
2. Her meal is ready (2)
3. Her invitations are ready (3)
75
75. How do the responses of the scoffer and wise man contrast?
The wise man’s pursuit of wisdom will reward him
The scorner’s rejection of wisdom will doom him
76
76. What are the characteristics of Lady Folly’s feast?
Lady Folly’s invitation:
Pretends to offer wisdom
Offers paltry fare: stolen water and secret bread
77
77. What is the appeal of the bread and water she offers?
The appeal of the meal she offers is its forbidedness
78
15:1
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
* Conciliatory – the key is responding properly in tense situations
79
15:3
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
* Anthropomorphism – He sees all.
* Omniscience
80
16:4
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
* God already has a sovereign plan
* Everything He does and allows achieves the purposes He has designed for them
* “There are no loose ends in God’s universe” (Kidner)
* Even the wicked man will “get his answer” (Waltke)
* “God ensures that everyone’s actions and their consequences correspond” (Ross)
81
16:18
The Path to Destruction
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Contrast with the Fear of the Lord, which is the path to wisdom.
82
18:22
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
“Findeth good”
83
21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
* God directs thoughts like a farmer designs irrigation canals.
84
22:6
Training Children
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
1. Psychological view – train a child according to his own gifts, abilities, tendencies, etc.; training should be adapted to each child
2. Promise view – if parents are faithful in their discipline and example, this verse guarantees that their children will turn out right (at least, eventually)
3. Proverb view – this verse expresses the parents’ responsibility and attaches the encouragement that most children respond appropriately to such training
85
26:13-16 (Kidner)
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
* V. 13 – “Not a shirker but a ‘realist’”
* V. 14 – “Not self-indulgent but ‘below his best in the morning’”
* V. 15 – “His inertia is ‘an objection to being hustled’”
* V. 16 – “His mental indolence [is] a fine ‘sticking to his guns’”
86
27:17
17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
* “Countenance” = face (literally), character
* Good friends sharpen one another’s character
87
79. Know the key points of each of the 10 topical studies in Proverbs.
Doctrine of God – God’s sovereignty in 16:1-9
Pride – Partners of Pride, Pride’s Punishment, Don’t Be Proud
Humility – Starting Pint for Understanding God and Self, Rewards
Happiness and Joy – Its Basis, Its Contributors, Its Effects
The Home – God’s Blueprint, A Good Husband, A Good Wife, Parents: Training, Disciplining, and Enjoying Children
Friendship – The Value of Good Friends, The Danger of Bad Friends
Speech – Good Speech, Bad Speech (inappropriate), Bad Speech (harmful)
Laziness – Characteristics of a Slothful Person, Portrait of a Sluggard
Godly Character – Kindness, Faithfulness, The Law of Sowing and Reaping
The Virtuous Wife – General Praise for Her Excellence, Industrial Pursuits of the Household, Financial Enterprise, Provision for the Family and the Poor, Distinction by Industry, Wisdom and Prosperity, Merits Recognized, Summary
88
80. What is the traditional view for the identity of Qohelet, and what are arguments to substantiate that view?
Qohelet = Solomon
Arguments for Solomonic Authorship
Son of David, King in Jerusalem, King over Israel (1:1, 12)
Resources of Solomon make sense of 1:12-2:26
Predominant early Jewish and Christian view
89
81. What does Ecclesiastes mean and what is the Hebrew word it translates?
Ecclesiastes is Greek for Qohelet, preacher
90
82. What is the theme of Ecclesiastes?
“Everything is vanity”
91
83. What does the word hebel mean?
Nothing here—whether natural or manmade—will satisfy our longings
92
84. What is the point of describing everything “under the sun” as hebel?
Where does Qohelet seek for meaning (what are his three major pursuits)?
93
85. Why is it important to realize that his search is being conducted “under the sun”?
The sun lights up everything down here. Under the sun is a formula that distinguishes heavenly from temporal. Everything above the sun is Heavenly.
* Qohelet makes two points that balance the truth that man has eternal longings that cannot be satisfied under the sun
o God has given man the gift of finding a measure of satisfaction even in this life (3:12-13)
o God has made this world mysterious so that man will see thedifference between himself and God and will fear God (3:14-15)
94
87. What are supplied in chapters 3-6?
Illustrations
95
88. What is the point of the rhythms of life in 3:1-8?
* The wise man recognizes that every event under the sun has its proper time.
96
89. What expression does Qohelet use to indicate man’s discovery of God’s will for his life?
* But if man has a portion from God—i.e., a lot in life—then he can find some satisfaction in his labors, even in the face of death
97
90. How do the teachings of Job and Ecclesiastes modify our understanding of the sowing and reaping principle?
Proverbs teaches the sowing and reaping principle
Job and Ecclesiastes point out the many exceptions to this principle
Sometimes the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper (7:15)
98
91. What does Qohelet mean when he says not to be overly righteous?
In light of the mystery of life, Qohelet recommends balance
o Don’t be overly scrupulous, a “cheerless, frustrated legalist” (Finkbeiner)
Legalists think they will be blessed because of their punctilious behavior
There are no such guarantees, and such living is self-destructive
99
92. Why does Qohelet focus on the young at the end of his book?
* The young people are especially tempted to put off thoughts of eternity and live for things “under the sun”
* If a young person will take heed, he can enjoy life to the fullest
100
93. The thirteen items in 12:1-5 are describing what?
Old age
101
94. What is the point of this gloomy portrait of old age and the description of death that follows?
Young man, it will be too late to serve God with your might when these dark days come.
102
95. In what two ways does the narrator describe the words of Qohelet, and what do these metaphors mean (probably)?
* Wise words are like goads
o Goads were sticks used to prod farm animals into right behavior
o They sting but they are effective motivators
* Nails fastened by the masters of assemblies = nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings
o Unclear metaphor, perhaps referring to their reliability
103
96. Who is the “one shepherd” who is the source of this teaching?
God is the one shepherd who sends wisdom through teachers like Qohelet to help his people through life.
104
97. What is meant by the statement that studying is wearisome?
There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting!” (NLT)
* There is a time for study and a time for putting principles into practice.
105
98. What two commands wrap up the narrator’s theme?
* Fear God – i.e., get to know God as He really is.
o This is also the foundational principle of Proverbs.
* Keep His commandments – this is the lifestyle that flows out of fearing God, i.e., the wise path
106
99. What two reasons does he give for obeying these commands?
* Two reasons for fearing and obeying God
1. This is the whole of man – this is the essence of what it means to be authentically human.
2. God will bring every act to judgment – this is a comprehensive and final judgment.
Proverbs & Ecclesiastes Test 4
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