Essay 3
Warren Chandler
Liberty University Online
September 29, 2014
Bibl 105
Essay #3
The book of Proverbs is a great book of advice for believers, but its principles are spoken of in a general manner. For example, the book of Proverbs speaks about the subject of laziness. It says that laziness leads to being poor while diligence leads to wealth (10:4; 20:13), but also it may be from corruption and injustice (13:23). Therefore, we are told to be diligent as ants when we work. However, there are also proverbs against being wealthy without the love of God in our lives. There is no point to have money if we do not have God. For example, “Great wealth without the peace of God has little benefit” (15:16; 28:6). Also, “wealth gained through corruption will eventually be judged” (22:16, 22-23; 28:8, 20). There are so many proverbs on wealth and poverty, but the general idea is that working hard leads to wealth, and laziness and corruption leads to poverty. These are general principles that can be followed but are not always perfect in design.
The book of Hebrews also speaks of wisdom and folly, especially chapter 9. For example, in Proverbs 9, two women are compared: one is wisdom and one is folly. The one named Wisdom built her home around seven pillars and prepared a feast for everyone who wanted to attend. She even cried out loudly so that everyone could hear her invitation. On the other hand, the woman of folly cried out even louder. She is without knowledge but still cries out to those “who are straight on their way” (Prov. 9:15). Her main target is believers who are following God and she will keep crying louder and louder. This applies to the world today because it is easier to give in to the woman of folly, because she is screaming so loudly. Just as the book of Proverbs compares diligence and laziness, it also compares wisdom to folly. It is almost as if they are on opposite sides of a scale and one will always weigh more in our lives. Hindson and Yates explain that
Liberty University Online
September 29, 2014
Bibl 105
Essay #3
The book of Proverbs is a great book of advice for believers, but its principles are spoken of in a general manner. For example, the book of Proverbs speaks about the subject of laziness. It says that laziness leads to being poor while diligence leads to wealth (10:4; 20:13), but also it may be from corruption and injustice (13:23). Therefore, we are told to be diligent as ants when we work. However, there are also proverbs against being wealthy without the love of God in our lives. There is no point to have money if we do not have God. For example, “Great wealth without the peace of God has little benefit” (15:16; 28:6). Also, “wealth gained through corruption will eventually be judged” (22:16, 22-23; 28:8, 20). There are so many proverbs on wealth and poverty, but the general idea is that working hard leads to wealth, and laziness and corruption leads to poverty. These are general principles that can be followed but are not always perfect in design.
The book of Hebrews also speaks of wisdom and folly, especially chapter 9. For example, in Proverbs 9, two women are compared: one is wisdom and one is folly. The one named Wisdom built her home around seven pillars and prepared a feast for everyone who wanted to attend. She even cried out loudly so that everyone could hear her invitation. On the other hand, the woman of folly cried out even louder. She is without knowledge but still cries out to those “who are straight on their way” (Prov. 9:15). Her main target is believers who are following God and she will keep crying louder and louder. This applies to the world today because it is easier to give in to the woman of folly, because she is screaming so loudly. Just as the book of Proverbs compares diligence and laziness, it also compares wisdom to folly. It is almost as if they are on opposite sides of a scale and one will always weigh more in our lives. Hindson and Yates explain that
Bibliography: Hindson, Ed and Gary Yates. Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2012.