Wisdom literature and theology
Conlusion
Wisdom and history
- Although wisdom books do not focus on historical event in the history of Israel (Sirach and Wisdom are exception), yet the sages draw their sayings from daily life experiences in a concrete historical situation.
- And their sayings should also be applied in a concrete situation (Prov 15:23; 25:11; Sirach 4:23).
Humans and our environment
- Wisdom recognises relationship between us and the environment we live in.
- The sages analysed the environment for signs and for conclusions (Prov 17:1; 25:13).
Humans and our environment
The world is depended on its Creator.The cosmos was not a machine that was wound up at creation and then let go.The Lord is active at all levels.But, we find a kind of tension.
Humans and our environment
On one hand, humans bear responsibility for their action - we have “free will”.On the other hand, the Lord is the cause of everything, both good and bad.Israel never tried to explain the relation between human freedom and divine activity.See Sirach 15:11–20 and Job 9:22–24Humans and our environment
Israel discerned God’s actions through their life experiences.The author of the Book of Wisdom reveals God’s providence in dealing with his people (Wisdom 19:22).Such understanding of history and daily events in life is rooted in the virtue of trust.God was responsible for the reality that confronted the sages.
Humans and our environment
Trust in the Lord goes hand in hand with respect for the mystery of divine activity (Prov 20:24; 21:30; Job 11:7–8; Is 40:13–14, 28).And so here, we encounter another paradox.On one hand, wisdom is something acquired by discipline and docility.On the other hand, it is a gift from God.Search for order
- The sages searched for order in life and nature.
- Once the order of such events could be discovered, wisdom could be achieved, lessons made apparent, and laws for conduct established.
- They could discover such order because behind the order is the activity of the Creator (Gen 1:1–2:4).
Search for order
God set up his world according to certain laws.And creatures are to abide by the divine set of laws.The sages deduced from observation or their experience that certain actions lead to good or bad results.For example: what are the effects of a soothing word, of self control, honesty, humility (cf. Prov 16:24)?Search for order
Experience teaches certain lessons: laziness usually leads to poverty and diligence to prosperity (cf. Prov 10:4; 26:14).But notice the word “usually”.The sages also recognised that there could be exceptions.Retribution
The role of God in establishing order affects also the realm of political and social life.It can be summarised by the word “justice”.Amos 5:24.If there is no justice society cannot survive.We can say that there is an inherit connection between God, our actions and nature (Rom 8:19–21).Wisdom and creation
Origins.
- Gen 1:2 indicates that there was chaos at the beginning but God transformed it into order.
- Today we can call this chaos - ‘perfect entropy’.
- Apparently, evil and sin can make chaos out of created order (Gen 3).
- That is why wisdom books focus so much on the effects of human actions.
Wisdom and creation
Prov 8:22–31 speaks about Wisdom participating in the creation of the world.Then in Gen 1:28 - God orders humans to “subdue” the earth.But, the sages realised that such thing can only be properly done with the help of wisdom (See Wisdom 7:22; 8:6).Wisdom and creation
Wisdom and the world.
For Israel, the world is always seen in relation to God and all living being that occupy it - particularly that mysterious creature ‘human being’ (Sirach 17:7).See Ps 22:10 - our dependence on God;See also Job 10:8ff.Wisdom and creation
Moreover, the world also proclaims the existence of God (Pss 19:2; 145; 148).Ps 104 speaks about God’s care for the world (see 104:24).Looking at creation, the psalmist admires and praises God.Wisdom and Israel’s faith
- Israel worships God as Creator and Redeemer.
- The sages could see God’s creative and saving activity in the ordinary events of their lives.
- God was at work in the big events of Israel’s history - the Exodus - and He is also at work in the ordinary activities of daily lives.
Wisdom and Israel’s faith
Wisdom and faith go hand in hand (Sir 4:11–19).After all, fear of the Lord - which presupposes faith in God - is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7).The sages teach us that we can encounter God in ordinary events of our lives.
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