Themes of Wisdom and Creation in the Book of Proverbs - Essay Example

Exegesis of Proverbs 8:22-36 College: The book of Proverbs is famously known to be an article from King Solomon thoughhe was not the only author. Just as by the name, the book is founded majorly on proverbs and wise sayings that are purposed to act as guidelines on what life to live emphasizing so much on listening to instructions and rebuking those who despise instructions and understanding (SPARKS 2012, p. 43). These pieces of advice are mostly directed to the young generation. The book encompasses both direct and earthly referencing and symbolism as ways of conveying information to the intended audience with symbolism evident when lack of wisdom is personified as in chapter 7:4 and named an immoral woman. Chapter 7 of the book warns of the deceitful nature of the environment and its inhabitants.it describes a wicked woman luring the unwise and those who lack understanding into her immoral acts. The woman walks along the streets trapping young men who lack understanding and knowledge directing them into her house deceiving them that her husband went on a journey to a town far away. The young men, after being seduced from the enticing speeches and romantic kisses, go after the woman and stay with her in her house from dusk till dawn. The young man into deep sleep only to end up losing his life like a bird darting into the snare. Safety and prosperity are yields from listening to instructions and understandings besides being wise. Wisdom has furnished a table and prepared meals to be celebrated upon by the pure. The simple are those who fear God, the wise and those are understanding for such have identified the right path to follow by not accepting to be deceived by the immoral woman in chapter 7.the wise become more sensible from the instructions they are given and accept correction as opposed to fools who despise instructions. The wise also have their days multiplied, and their years of life added as they fear the Lord, who is the beginning of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Themes in the passage Wisdom Strongly stands out as the major theme of the passage and has been personified, explained as having existed before any other creations (I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth), verses 23 and 25. Wisdom is from divine origin, represented as existing before all things during the time when God planned and created the universe furnishing it with beauty and putting up the unusual order as in verses 22-26.Two cosmogonies are evident from the passage and serve to justify the claims of wisdom. Verses 22-26 bearing the first cosmogony tells us that wisdom was in the very beginning when nothing else had existed thus deserving honor while the second cosmogony (verses 27-31) underscores that she was with God during the time of creation of the universe. Theme of Creation Wisdom comes before the other creations of the universe and was there when the Lord was doing his creation works and served as His master craftsman, seated beside Him and rejoicing always before Him and in his inhabited world. After wisdom, the components of the universe were created including the universe itself, the clouds, fountains abounding with water and the seas. Theme of knowledge and understanding The last verses of the chapter portrays as blessed he who keeps the right ways and everyone who listens (“Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways”) verses 32). Whoever finds knowledge is regarded as one who has found favor in the eyes of the Lord but he who disregards instructions and understanding loves death (“For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”) Verses 35-36 Meaning in the original context The passage provides guidelines for Christians on what is expected of them. It warns them of the existence of deceitful characters who come to them with seductive speeches and enticing them into immoral acts that end up in hell. As such they are advised to beware of such and always remain stern as they keep the right paths (TREIER 2011, p. 26). Those who continue on track receive a favor in the sight of the Lord and are entitled to eternal life while those who allow themselves to be cheated by the immoral woman due to being unwise and lacking understanding end in hell. Application of the passage in my church Wisdom represents Jesus. As wisdom calling on you to go for it for eternal life, prosperity and receive a favor in the eyes of the Lord, Jesus is calling out onto the inhabitants of the world to listen to Him, promising to tell them the truth. He is urging everyone to become his disciples, inviting them to a banquet and giving them life. He warns Christians of the existence of Satan and the tricks he uses in trapping individuals who don’t make stern decisions to abide by what is right without forgetting to tell them about the consequences of being absorbed into immorality. Summative Measure the level of success or proficiency obtained at the end of the instructional unit by contrasting it against set benchmarks. In this context, Genesis 1:3-5 is relevant in determining the competence of the exegesis of Proverb 8:22-36 as it reinforced the principle theme of wisdom and creation that featured throughout the text. Formative Aims at guiding improvements in the ongoing teaching and learning context. Mathew 28:16-20 is relevant to the current exegesis of Proverb 8:22-36 in that it talks about the Power and authority Jesus has from God through wisdom. Such a text help us justify that Jesus was with God during creation and has massive powers and authority. Through this text, the researcher knowledge about Jesus teaching about blessed as those that listen to his ways. The text is thus a formative one since it demonstrate the close linkage between Jesus and God based on the authority and command he gave. Reference LIOY, D. (2011). David C. Cook Bible lesson commentary. the essential study companion for every disciple. Colorado Springs, Colo, David C Cook. RAUSER, R. (2009). Finding God in the The shack. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10833474. SPARKS, K. L. (2012). Sacred word, broken word: biblical authority and the dark side of Scripture. Grand Rapids, Mich, Eerdmans Pub. Co. TREIER, D. J. (2011). Proverbs & Ecclesiastes. Grand Rapids, Mich, Brazos. Appendices Appendix 1 Proverbs 8:22-36 (New International Version) 2 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. 24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26 before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. 27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. 30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, 31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. 32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. 36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death." Appendix 2: Summative Genesis 1:3-5 New International Version (NIV) 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Appendix 3: Formative Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version (NIV) The Great Commission 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Formative Version NIV Read More