Most Bible readers who have spent time in the biblical wisdom material (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) will not be surprised by the topic statement. So much of what one encounters in these books is oriented to personal life skills across a wide spectrum of areas and experiences. I think it’s worth mentioning, though, since we tend to think of wisdom literature like we do the advice column Dear Abby. It’s more than that.
One of the things that distinguishes biblical wisdom literature from simple advice is inspiration. God is behind what we’re reading, and God knows what leads to happiness or regret, failure or success, life or death. Wisdom literature shows us by word and example how to cope with suffering, character flaws, and tragedy. Instead of providing situational suggestions, it tells us the truth about what is virtuous and what is not. It doesn’t try to make us feel good about ourselves. It lays out the path of the wise and the path of the fool and doesn’t flinch from making sure we know which category we’re in.
Since wisdom is a lifelong pursuit, wisdom literature often finds its context in the home. Parents must guide their children (Prov. 13:22, 24; 22:6) and children must obey their parents (Prov. 1:8–9; 15:5). The marriage bond must be protected from adultery (Prov. 5:1–14; 12:4; 19:14; 31:10–31). The family unit is tasked with passing on principles of morality, virtue, and justice. Children are the beneficiaries (or not) of the cumulative wisdom insights learned from parents. Since the home produces adults with (or without) sound character, it is the foundation of society—industry, relationships, commerce, and leadership. It is a fallacy to assume that the culture of a nation will be virtuous without personal virtue. It’s not an exaggeration to say that human stability depends on wisdom.
Foundational to the home are its leaders’ relationships to God. A constant focus of wisdom literature is reverence for God, his laws, and his design. Proverbs famously begins,
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov. 1:7)
The same thought is echoed in Psalm 34:11–12:
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Job 28:28 reminds us,
The fear of the LORD, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.
And Ecclesiastes ends with the words, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).
Wisdom literature gives us a lot to think about, but its orientation is crystal clear. The path to virtue is never personal gratification and focus on the self. A happy, rewarding life is only possible when people have sound character, and the core to motivation in that pursuit is the fear of God.