1. Discuss the characteristics of a proverb. Poetry is economical with short lines and being highly planned. The characteristics of a proverb (like "early to bed") are: (1) brief, (2) easy to remember, and (3) timeless. Being memorable is accomplished by the literary devices of rhyme, "healthy-wealthy" type rhyme that flows from one line to the next, and (3) alliteration (w è wealthy, wise). The objective of a proverb is to make it insightful permanently. Other genre are designed for quick memory, too, such as psalms and stories. Proverbs transcend time, class, age, gender, occupation, geography, and culture.

2. Discuss a practical way to categorize the proverbs. There are other ways of categorizing proverbs, but grouping them as major (Proverbs 10-15) and minor (Proverbs 16:1-22:16) proverbs is a valid way, too. With this view, the first nine chapters are introductory, like messages from a father to a son. With a major proverb, also called an absolute proverb, the truth works every time because it uses general or absolute wording ("crime does not pay"). Examples are Proverbs 10:3 ("The Lord will not allow the soul of the righteous to hunger") and Proverbs 10:27 ("The fear of the Lord prolongeth days"). There are other proverbs that focus on wealth to the righteous. With a minor proverb, also called a qualifying proverb, there is a qualification or exception to the rule mentioned in the major proverbs. Examples are Proverbs 16:14 which says that a wise person can pacify an angry king (a major proverb might say to stay away from the angry king) and Proverbs 17:16 which talks about a fool getting wisdom and wealth. God sometimes let the unworthy prosper. There are also "real world" proverbs, "better than" proverbs ("a" is better than "b", "better to be poor with integrity than vice versa"), and proverbs that provide lists (there are 6 things that the Lord hates).

3. Discuss the applications of Proverbs. Working with applications should help us since the proverbs are timeless. Proverbs are not a legal genre because they are not guaranteed by law. The Covenant (contract) is a legal genre. Proverbs are general principles but not absolute guarantees (not 10 out of 10). Believers should steer between the two extremes of the major and minor proverbs. Avoid the absolute prosperity beliefs but also the "what will be will be" approaches to life. One extreme says that we can control our future, and the other says that we are completely out of control. The truth is always somewhere between the extremes.

4. Name some books for further reading. Some recommended books are: (1) How To Read The Psalms (not technical and easy to remember), (2) Praise Is A Matter of Life and Breath, by Allen, (3) Old Testament Commentary (very helpful), (4) Word Biblical Commentary (3 volumes), and (5) The Book of Job, by Habel.

5. State the case study for Lesson 21. Read Song of Solomons 1:9 to compare this verse across multiple translations and commentaries to figure out the true meaning.

				Tom of Bethany

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Lesson 21. Songs of Solomon

 

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