Proverbial Past and Future

Biblical Proverbs are so overlooked that when you Google Famous Proverbs, click on the first link that appears, the first Bible reference you get comes in as the 45th most popular slot. This is probably because people think they are largely devoid of theological content.

Take Proverbs 26:11 for instance, “As a dog returns to his vomit, a fool returns to his folly.” This is not the most poetic line ever written. Most of the proverbs are pithy sayings that put in a nutshell the sort of common sense that people cross-stitch, frame, and hang on their kitchen walls.

Moreover, some of the biblical proverbs appear to be contradictory or even downright untrue. Proverbs 26:4 advises, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.” Fair enough, except the very next verse says, “Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own eyes.” Which shall it be? Answer a fool or not?

So it’s no wonder people shy away from such texts. But I think it is because people don’t know how to read them.

Proverbs are actually intricate literary expressions which are far more theological, less overtly moralistic, and more vitally related to lived experience than is apparent at first glance. To dismiss them is to silence a valuable voice within the chorus of faith.

Be advised though the Proverbs have an “upper limit” to their applicability. As wisdom they transcend the single moment in time unlike narratives but they do not have indiscriminate force to be applied anywhere and at all times. In other words, they invoke multiple meanings but are not universal truths.

So how do we read proverbs? Some scholars say proverbs seem to be an ethical outline for people to apply to their real-life circumstances. They use broad imagery and pithy sayings to teach us how to behave. They help us in the midst of our day.

But I don’t completely agree with this. It’s close but it misses what I think the deeper point is. Proverbs don’t give us a present – they give us a past and a future. Let me explain.

When we read “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all” (22:1-2) we are given a whole story in our minds about the way things were. Israelites found themselves in a good deal of fortune. Apparently some had money and even prestige. Even though the proverb doesn’t say it, a story is created and we are given a lens into the past.

How do I know this? I don’t really. But why else would the author write for the wealthy to remember that they are equal to the poor? This is an admonition to the wealthy to quit oppressing. You have a job to take care of the needy, helpless, homeless and disenfranchised. To not care for the people in the community that you can help is to turn your back on a child of God.

Proverbs also help us make decisions in our future. We discern when something is important and the Holy Spirit helps unveil the hidden truth of a proverb. My pastoral advice is to read the proverbs with open minds looking for the story of the past and imagining how they impact your future. When the two connections are made – you will see a change in your present way of life.