13. exegeting proverbs 9

8/14/2019 13. Exegeting Proverbs 9

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Exegeting ProverbsExegeting Proverbs

Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6


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Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn outWisdom has built her house; she has hewn outits seven pillars. She has prepared her meatits seven pillars. She has prepared her meatand mixed her wine; she has also set her table.and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

She has sent out her maids, and she calls fromShe has sent out her maids, and she calls fromthe highest point of the city. Let all who arethe highest point of the city. Let all who aresimple come in here! she says to those thatsimple come in here! she says to those thatlack judgement. Come and eat my food andlack judgement. Come and eat my food anddrink the wine that I have mixed. Leave yourdrink the wine that I have mixed. Leave yoursimple ways and you will live; walk in the waysimple ways and you will live; walk in the wayof understanding.of understanding.


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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 1. List the units of thought:Step 1. List the units of thought:

Wisdom has built her house;Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meatShe has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.she has also set her table.

She has sent out her maids,She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.and she calls from the highest point of the city. Let all who are simple come in here!Let all who are simple come in here! she says to those that lack judgement.she says to those that lack judgement. Come and eat my foodCome and eat my food and drink the wineand drink the wine that I have mixed.that I have mixed. Leave your simple waysLeave your simple ways and you will live;and you will live;

walk in the way of understanding.walk in the way of understanding.


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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 1. List the units of thought:Step 1. List the units of thought:

Wisdom has built her house;Wisdom has built her house;

she has hewn out its seven pillars.she has hewn out its seven pillars.She has prepared her meatShe has prepared her meat

and mixed her wine;and mixed her wine;

she has also set her table.she has also set her table.

She has sent out her maids,She has sent out her maids,

and she calls from the highest point of the city.and she calls from the highest point of the city.

Let all who are simple come in here!Let all who are simple come in here!

she says to those that lack judgement.she says to those that lack judgement.

ComeCome

and eat my foodand eat my foodand drink the wineand drink the wine

that I have mixed.that I have mixed.

Leave your simple waysLeave your simple ways

and you will live;and you will live;



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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 2. Shape the structure:Step 2. Shape the structure:

Wisdom has built her house;Wisdom has built her house;

she has hewn out its seven pillars.she has hewn out its seven pillars.

She has prepared her meatShe has prepared her meat

and mixed her wine;and mixed her wine;

she has also set her table.she has also set her table.

She has sent out her maids,She has sent out her maids,

and she calls from the highest point of the city.and she calls from the highest point of the city.

Let all who are simpleLet all who are simple

come in here!come in here!

she says to thoseshe says to those

that lack judgement.that lack judgement.

ComeCome

and eat my foodand eat my foodand drink the wineand drink the wine


Leave your simple waysLeave your simple ways

and you will live;and you will live;



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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 3. Observe the different parts:Step 3. Observe the different parts:

WisdomWisdom hashas builtbuiltherherhousehouse;;

she hasshe has hewn outhewn outits sevenits seven pillarspillars..She hasShe haspreparedpreparedherhermeatmeat

andand mixedmixedherherwinewine;;

she has alsoshe has alsosetsetherhertabletable..

She hasShe hassent outsent outher maidsher maids,,

and sheand she callscalls fromfrom the highest point of thethe highest point of thecitycity..LetLet all who are simpleall who are simple

come income in here!here!

sheshesayssays to those that lackto those that lackjudgementjudgement..

ComeComeandand eateatmy foodmy food

andand drinkdrinkthe winethe wine


LeaveLeave youryoursimple wayssimple ways

and you willand you will livelive;;walkwalkinin the way of understanding.the way of understanding.

WhoWho?? OBSERVATIONSOBSERVATIONS

Wisdom (= ?)Wisdom (= ?) Ws maidsWs maids The simple / lack judgementThe simple / lack judgement

WhatWhat?? Ws house & its 7 pillarsWs house & its 7 pillars Ws meat & wineWs meat & wine

Ws tableWs table Simple waysSimple ways The way of understandingThe way of understanding

WhereWhere?? [[When?]When?] The citys highest pointThe citys highest point Here (Ws house)Here (Ws house)

WhyWhy?? To liveTo live

HowHow?? By eating & drinking Ws fareBy eating & drinking Ws fare By leaving simple waysBy leaving simple ways

By walking in the way ofBy walking in the way ofunderstandingunderstanding


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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 4. Question the meaning & significance of the partsStep 4. Question the meaning & significance of the parts

WisdomWisdom hashas builtbuiltherherhousehouse;;

she hasshe has hewn outhewn outits sevenits seven pillarspillars..She hasShe haspreparedpreparedherhermeatmeat



She hasShe hassent outsent outher maidsher maids,,

and sheand she callscalls fromfrom the highest pointthe highest pointof theof thecitycity..

LetLet all who are simpleall who are simple



ComeComeandand eateatmy foodmy food




and you willand you will livelive;;

Who / what is wisdom?Who / what is wisdom? What are the seven pillars? WhyWhat are the seven pillars? Why

are they hewn out (of stone)?are they hewn out (of stone)? Why is the wine mixed?Why is the wine mixed? Why has wisdom done every-Why has wisdom done every-

thing herself in preparation forthing herself in preparation for

her guests?her guests? Who are the simple that lackWho are the simple that lack

judgement? What are the simple judgement? What are the simpleways they must leave?ways they must leave?

What kind of life is promised?What kind of life is promised? What is the choice presented?What is the choice presented? What is the difference betweenWhat is the difference between

eating & drinkingeating & drinking

andand

walking?walking?


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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 5. Suggest some AnswersStep 5. Suggest some Answers

(either by reflection or by referring to commentaries)(either by reflection or by referring to commentaries)

WisdomWisdom hashas builtbuiltherherhousehouse;;she hasshe has hewn outhewn outits sevenits seven pillarspillars..

She hasShe haspreparedpreparedherhermeatmeat



She hasShe hassent outsent outher maidsher maids,,and sheand she callscalls fromfrom the highest pointthe highest point

of theof thecitycity..LetLet all who are simpleall who are simple



ComeCome

andand eateatmy foodmy food





WisdomWisdom:: the wisdom of Godthe wisdom of God

the Creator of a wiselythe Creator of a wiselyordered universeordered universe

SevenSeven

::

suggests perfection orsuggests perfection orsimply a mark of asimply a mark of a

prosperous homeprosperous home Hewn out pillars:Hewn out pillars: suggests effort,suggests effort,

craftsmanshipcraftsmanship Mixed wineMixed wine:: enjoyment, richness,enjoyment, richness,

complexity, subtlety ofcomplexity, subtlety ofwisdomwisdom


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An Exegetical DangerAn Exegetical Danger

BewareBeware

Allegorizing!Allegorizing!

Q:Q:

How is an extendedHow is an extended metaphormetaphor

different fromdifferent from

anan allegoryallegory??


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An Exegetical DangerAn Exegetical Danger

A:A:

AAmetaphormetaphor draws attention to ONE idea in adraws attention to ONE idea in a

pictorial form that symbolises ONE idea inpictorial form that symbolises ONE idea inrealityreality

AnAn allegoryallegory has MANY points of symbolismhas MANY points of symbolismcorresponding to MANY aspects of realitycorresponding to MANY aspects of reality


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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 6. What is the over-all Subject of the passage?Step 6. What is the over-all Subject of the passage?





She hasShe hassent outsent outher maidsher maids,,and sheand she callscalls fromfrom the highest pointthe highest pointof theof thecitycity..




ComeCome






WisdomWisdom- the wisdom- the wisdom

ofof

GodGod

the Creatorthe Creator

ofof

a wisely ordered universea wisely ordered universe


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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 6. What does the passage say about this over-all Subject?Step 6. What does the passage say about this over-all Subject?









ComeCome






WisdomWisdom Has gone to greatHas gone to great

trouble totrouble to preparepreparefor her guestsfor her guests

InvitesInvites to her houseto her houseall who lack herall who lack herinsightinsight

Invites the simple toInvites the simple tofeedfeed at her rich tableat her rich table Exhorts them toExhorts them to

obeyobey her instructionher instruction

Promises them lifePromises them life


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Proverbs 9:1-6Proverbs 9:1-6Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage?Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage?

The Heart-BeatThe Heart-Beat

of a passageof a passage

isisthethe central pointcentral point

oror

core messagecore message

of that passage.of that passage.

Th H B


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should be:should be:

AnAn ACCUATEACCUATE statement in one sentence ofstatement in one sentence of

the HEART of thethe HEART of the

passage passage

faithfully REPRESENTS itsfaithfully REPRESENTS its EMPHASISEMPHASIS

(not a statement of a(not a statement of asecondarysecondary

theme or idea within the passage)theme or idea within the passage)


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should also be:should also be:

AA CONCISECONCISE statement of this central pointstatement of this central point

(not a(not aprecisprecis of the totalof the total

passage)passage)


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The Heart-Beat of a passageThe Heart-Beat of a passage

should also be:should also be:

AA MEMORABLEMEMORABLE statementstatement

in contemporary languagein contemporary language

(not simply a(not simply a

repetitionrepetition of part of the text)of part of the text)


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ComeCome






Suggestion 1.Suggestion 1.

God calls us toGod calls us toa)a)

leaveleave

ourourfoolish waysfoolish waysandand

b) come & feedb) come & feedon his richon his rich

wisdom,wisdom,which hewhich he

has gone to greathas gone to great


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ComeCome






Suggestion 2.Suggestion 2.

EmbraceEmbrace

WisdomWisdom--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Which is better?Which is better? Suggestion 1?Suggestion 1?

. or. or Suggestion 2?Suggestion 2?

What are theWhat are thestrengths andstrengths andweaknesses ofweaknesses of Suggestion 1?Suggestion 1?

Suggestion 2?Suggestion 2?


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Exegeting ProverbsExegeting Proverbs

Part 2bPart 2b



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Bringing inBringing in

LITERARY CONTEXTLITERARY CONTEXT

SignificantSignificant literaryliterary contexts:contexts:

TheThe immediateimmediate context (chapter 9)context (chapter 9) The larger (The larger (bookbook) context) context

The context within theThe context within the HebrewHebrew Scriptures (OT)Scriptures (OT)

The ultimate context (the wholeThe ultimate context (the whole BibleBible))


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THE LITERARY CONTEXTTHE LITERARY CONTEXT

ObserveObserve

THETHEIMMEDIATEIMMEDIATECONTEXTCONTEXT

((Chapter 9Chapter 9):): Section 1 vv 1-6 Lady (Woman)Section 1 vv 1-6 Lady (Woman) WisdomWisdom

Section 2 - 7-12 Miscellaneous wisdom sayingsSection 2 - 7-12 Miscellaneous wisdom sayings

Section 3 vv 13-18 Dame (Woman)Section 3 vv 13-18 Dame (Woman) FollyFolly

Th I diTh I di t


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The ImmediateThe Immediate

CONTEXTCONTEXT

The Literary Dynamics of Chapters 1- 9The Literary Dynamics of Chapters 1- 9The literary deviceThe literary device

ofof

a familiar familya familiar familysituation:situation:

AA father speaking to his son about lifefather speaking to his son about lifeandand

two pathstwo paths open to his sonopen to his son


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The Choice:The Choice:

Two Kinds of Paths (2:13)Two Kinds of Paths (2:13)

TheThe straightstraight pathspaths

Warning:Warning:

Not to leave!Not to leave!

Lead toLead to lifelife

(8:35)(8:35)

TheThe darkdarkpathspaths

where dangers lurk:where dangers lurk:

crooked men and enticingcrooked men and enticingwomen!women!

Warning:Warning:

Not to walk down!Not to walk down!

Lead toLead to deathdeath

(8:36)(8:36)


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The ImmediateThe Immediate

CONTEXTCONTEXT

The Literary Dynamics of Chapter 9The Literary Dynamics of Chapter 9

The (disturbing?) useThe (disturbing?) use

ofof

the over-all metaphor:the over-all metaphor:

The (female) figure of WisdomThe (female) figure of Wisdomand soliciting the choice of (male) Youthand soliciting the choice of (male) Youth

in competition within competition with

another female figure - Follyanother female figure - Folly


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The Young Men They InviteThe Young Men They Invite

The young menThe young men are described as:are described as: Simpletons (9:4) mockers (1:22)Simpletons (9:4) mockers (1:22)

lacking judgement (9:4) fools (8:5) lacking judgement (9:4) fools (8:5)

her sons (8:32) on the path of life (8:2)her sons (8:32) on the path of life (8:2) the crowds (8:3) the crowds (8:3)

The men they beckon are immature, still inThe men they beckon are immature, still in

the process of development, and thereforethe process of development, and thereforeat a critical stage of making up theirat a critical stage of making up their

mind.mind.

Some are showing signs of resistance to Wisdom:Some are showing signs of resistance to Wisdom:


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The Immediate Context of Proverbs 9The Immediate Context of Proverbs 9

The literary dynamicsThe literary dynamics

The situation and metaphorThe situation and metaphor

combined:combined:

The implied reader of Proverbs 9 is a male,The implied reader of Proverbs 9 is a male,

choosing between two womenchoosing between two womeninviting him to enter an intimate relationship!inviting him to enter an intimate relationship!


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The Literary DynamicsThe Literary Dynamics

The ultimate significance ofThe ultimate significance ofthis disturbing metaphor:this disturbing metaphor:

The invitation to himThe invitation to him

to enter an intimate relationshipto enter an intimate relationship

points topoints to

the ultimate encounter on the path of lifethe ultimate encounter on the path of lifeinvolving the choice betweeninvolving the choice between

life and death!life and death!


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The ChoiceThe Choice

LadyLady (Woman)(Woman) WisdomWisdom

People can be known by thePeople can be known by the

companycompany they keep andthey keep andthethe

people they avoid!people they avoid!

Q:Q:With whom is WisdomWith whom is Wisdom

associated?associated?

Whom does she avoid?Whom does she avoid?

8:6-15(8:6-15)

DameDame (Woman)(Woman) FollyFolly

Q:Q:

What characterisesWhat characterises

Folly?Folly?

(9:13-18)(9:13-18)


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A. Lady WisdomA. Lady Wisdom

Wisdom known by her company:Wisdom known by her company:

InIncludescludes righteousness (8:6) truth (8:7) righteousness (8:6) truth (8:7)

wholesome behaviour (8:8) goodwholesome behaviour (8:8) good

judgement (8:12) common sense judgement (8:12) common sense

success insight strength (8:14.15)success insight strength (8:14.15)

ExExcludescludes deception, evil, pride and arrogancedeception, evil, pride and arrogance

(8:7-8,13)(8:7-8,13)

Note:Note:

WisdomWisdom

is notis not

merelymerely

intellectualintellectual,,but alsobut also

entwinedentwined

withwith ethicalethical

behaviourbehaviour


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B. Dame FollyB. Dame Folly

Folly is:Folly is:

Brash (loud), rather than boldBrash (loud), rather than bold Sticks her nose in where it should not beSticks her nose in where it should not be

Ignorant and doesnt realise it!Ignorant and doesnt realise it!

The complete opposite of WisdomThe complete opposite of Wisdom


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Understanding Their MessageUnderstanding Their Message

Their message:Their message:

(understood by interpreting(understood by interpreting

aa developing metaphordeveloping metaphor)) Both desire relationship come in with me!Both desire relationship come in with me!

Both have prepared a meal: to eat withBoth have prepared a meal: to eat with

someone is to form an intimate relationshipsomeone is to form an intimate relationship(Ancient Near Eastern culture)(Ancient Near Eastern culture)

Both compete with each other (the young manBoth compete with each other (the young man

cannot have both!)cannot have both!)


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Discovering their IdentityDiscovering their Identity

Their identityTheir identity

A clue found in the location of their houses:A clue found in the location of their houses:

The highest point of the cityThe highest point of the city Temples built at the top of a mount (highestTemples built at the top of a mount (highest

point)point)

Conclusion regarding the two Women:Conclusion regarding the two Women: Lady Wisdom a metaphor for GodLady Wisdom a metaphor for God

Dame Folly a metaphor for any false godDame Folly a metaphor for any false god


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What is Involved in the InvitationWhat is Involved in the Invitationof a woman inviting a young man to dinnerof a woman inviting a young man to dinner

Wisdom stands to inviteWisdom stands to invite

everyoneeveryone

Wisdoms banquet bringsWisdoms banquet brings

lifelife A tree of life to thoseA tree of life to those

who embrace her.who embrace her.

Happy are those whoHappy are those whohold her tightly!hold her tightly!

Folly sits to hook a clientFolly sits to hook a client

individuallyindividually

Follys meal is enticing Follys meal is enticing

butbut Previous guests are allPrevious guests are all

dead!dead!

She does not deliverShe does not deliverwhat she promises!what she promises!


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The LessonThe Lesson

Embrace Gods WisdomEmbrace Gods Wisdom

and make herand make her

an integral part of your life!an integral part of your life!


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THETHELITERARYLITERARYCONTEXTCONTEXT

Observe theObserve the ultimateultimate ((canonical)canonical) context:context:

the canon ofthe canon of

the whole Biblethe whole Bible::

OT setting: choosing between God and idols,OT setting: choosing between God and idols,

life and deathlife and death

Gospels: Jesus is Gods wisdom and source ofGospels: Jesus is Gods wisdom and source oflifelife

Epistles: Jesus (like Wisdom in Proverbs) isEpistles: Jesus (like Wisdom in Proverbs) is

the agent of creation and bringer of lifethe agent of creation and bringer of life


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TheThe CanonicalCanonicalContextContext

Wisdom and JesusWisdom and Jesus


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Canonical Context: Wisdom and JesusCanonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus

When Jesus associates himselfWhen Jesus associates himselfwith Woman Wisdom,with Woman Wisdom,

He is usingHe is using

a powerful (metaphorical) way of saying thata powerful (metaphorical) way of saying that

I, Jesus, amI, Jesus, am

the embodiment ofthe embodiment of

Gods wisdomGods wisdom


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When we read the NTWhen we read the NTand are introduced to Jesusand are introduced to Jesus

as the Wisdom of God,as the Wisdom of God,

we realise that,we realise that,

not only is the fear of Godnot only is the fear of God

the beginning of all wisdomthe beginning of all wisdom(OT theology),(OT theology),

but also that..but also that..


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to embrace Wisdomto embrace Wisdom

isis

to enter into a close personal relationshipto enter into a close personal relationship

withwith

Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.


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Similarly regarding Madam Folly,Similarly regarding Madam Folly,

the choice nowthe choice now

is:is:

Do we dine with Jesus,Do we dine with Jesus,or with the devil?or with the devil?

13. exegeting proverbs 9

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