Essay 3 - Hebrew Wisdom

Micheal Coffin
October 4, 2015

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Introduction

In this essay, we will discuss the Hebrew wisdom on “wisdom and folly”, also looking at the contrast between “diligence and laziness”. These terms appear frequently in the Old Testament. However, we will concentrate on their use and meaning in the
Poetic Books.

1. Background
Solomon is considered to be the man who founded the wisdom movement (1 Kings 4:2934). The purpose of the wisdom movement was initially a practical one: to educate the nobility for cultural and political leadership. The main concern of teachers was to inform and discipline the mind and life at an early age. 1 In Israel, however, the practical purpose of the movement was increasingly matched by a concern to say in human terms what the ultimate meaning of man’s life is.
In modern terms, from being a movement concerned with practical ethics it becomes a movement increasingly concerned with religious and theological issues. It should be noted that in this respect, Israel’s wisdom movement developed much further than that of Egypt or of other
Near Eastern cultures. 2

1. J. Coert Rylaarsdam, Layman's Bible Commentary: Vol. 10 - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
(Richmond, VA: John Knox Press, 1971), 9.
2. Ibid, 10.

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2. Wisdom and Folly
In 1 Kings 4:34, we see one of the blessings God gave to Solomon to show His pleasure;
“Men came from all peoples to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom”. This blessing was given to Solomon for his dedication to covenant obedience. 3
Wisdom should be used in daily life, while folly or foolishness proves to be fruitless.
This contrast between a “life of wisdom and the life of folly” is really about a person’s orientation to God”. 4 Solomon says “folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land”
(Ecc 10:6-7). The self-destruction of the fool is accomplished by his own talk, but “the lips of the wise” establish him (Pr 14:3).
The virtue of self-control is another example of wisdom versus folly. Endurance, patience, and self-control are central criteria to wisdom. As a source of folly, only jealousy is a match for anger. By invoking the virtues of restraint and self-control, the wisdom movement simply endorsed a universally admired virtue. 5
Another problem with folly is shown in a simple task of going to town. “The fool’s labor is wearisome because the fool does not even know the way to the city” (Ecc 10:15). This implies that if he is going to work in the city, then he exerts far more energy than is necessary in his labor. 6 Finally, the scriptures state that “wisdom is light and folly is darkness” (Ecc 2:13).
3. Ed Hindson, Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2012),
180.
4. Ibid, 263.
5. Rylaarsdam, Layman's Bible Commentary: Vol. 10 - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 59.
6. Craig G. Bartholomew, Ecclesiastes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009), 325.

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3. Diligence and Laziness
In contrast to wisdom and folly, diligence and laziness is much more a philosophy of a work ethic. The “diligent man” is literally the man whose hand is sharp; it grips the tool employed. In contrast, we have the slack or lazy man, whose hand is limp because it is not employed. 7 “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich”. (Pr 10:4). This is further illustrated in (Pr 13:4), “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat”.
In Proverbs, the emphasis upon the virtue of industry and hard work is supported by the view that man can, by submission to the discipline of learning, discover the way of God for his life. 8

Conclusion

Hebrew wisdom in the Poetic Books makes reference to “wisdom/folly” and
“diligence/laziness” several times. In contrasting these traits, we have learned that wisdom is not just about education or knowledge, but rather a pattern for living a good life. Folly or foolishness is more often shown to have negative results. Reference is made to “wisdom as light” and “folly as darkness”. In the case of diligence, not only does it suggest doing your best in life, but is shown as an example of a work ethic. Laziness will generally end in poor results or even failure.
7. Rylaarsdam, Layman's Bible Commentary: Vol. 10 - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 54.
8. Ibid, 55.

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Bibliography

Bartholomew, Craig G. Ecclesiastes. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
Hindson, Ed. Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group,
2012
Hindson, Ed. Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group,
2012
Rylaarsdam, J. Coert. Layman's Bible Commentary: Vol. 10 - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Solomon. Richmond, V: John Knox Press, 1971.
Rylaarsdam, J. Coert. Layman's Bible Commentary: Vol. 10 - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Solomon. Richmond, VA: John Knox Press, 1971.
Rylaarsdam, J. Coert. Layman's Bible Commentary: Vol. 10 - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Solomon. Richmond, VA: John Knox Press, 1971.