For extra credit, please read the first three chapters of Proverbs and skim the rest of the book. Choose a proverb or two that you think is a particularly good example of Hebrew contributions to human wisdom. Explain why you chose this proverb/these proverbs.
Proverbs 10:21 "The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense." This proverb stuck out to me as it shows that by following the word of God and being righteous will give you prosperity and those who do not think that or follow his word will perish because they are fools. I found this to be very heavy hitting as it kind of says to the reader that if you are not righteous and following the good path that you will perish for being foolish, a sort of choice between life and death.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 12:4 "A good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones." This was another proverb that really stood out to me. I believe that this is a very simple idea to grab ahold of. A woman who is good to her husband and others, and is righteous in her ways that she will bring prosperity and gratitude to her family, this shows honor to her husband. But one that shies away from this is destroying her family from the inside out by bringing disgrace to them, which is like rotting her husbands bones from the inside out. A bit graphic but a very clear and loud message.
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." This verse is a great example of contributions to religious wisdom rather than overall human wisdom. It says that one who openly follows God's lead rather than his own will be led down the righteous path. It also stresses the acknowledgement of God's presence and blessings in everything one does.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." This proverb stuck out to me as a fantastic contribution to human wisdom because it is an essential piece of what it takes to be a good student and intelligent being. It says that discipline is the key to knowledge, because one must be committed to learning. It also says that disregarding correction repels knowledge because one must be willing to learn from mistakes in order to overcome ignorance.
The entire book of Proverbs is full of such good wisdom that it’s hard to just pick a few verses. I also agree with Becka and Jordan’s choices. From a college female’s perspective, I think that the best contribution would be from Proverbs 31:10-31. This selection talks about the virtuous women, one who loves her husband, works hard, rises early, helps those in need, speaks kindness, and most importantly, from Proverbs 31:30, “…feareth the Lord…”. The reason I like this passage is that many times in college, there are temptations and circumstances that seem out of our control. But the virtues described her are completely within one’s control, and give one a chance to still please God despite the situations and scenarios faced.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite proverbs would probably be 30:21-23. I prefer in in the NIV, "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."
ReplyDeleteI think it terms of wisdom, it seems to address some pretty serious things. Why were these four things listed together if they are not all related? I especially find the "unloved woman who is married" bit of advice interesting. Seems to be focusing on making sure your marriage is strong. Without strong marriages, things will crumble. If you replace your wife with her maidservant, whatever that would be in modern terms, it breaks people. The fool who eats and the servant who reigns, I just wonder if that is when those who don't know how to rule are ruling, and those who don't work for their food are fully satisfied... Sounds like an interesting society... Sounds like some of the things going on today!
I've always loved reading through Proverbs. Perhaps the proverb that is most referred to is 3:5-6, and it's for good reason. Normally I would post that, but the sake of conveying other messages of wisdom, I will refer to the message in Proverbs 13:24.
ReplyDelete13:24(KJV) ~ He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
13:24(NIV) ~ He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
The message I get from this is, if you care about what kind of person your child will become, you have to make sure to bring them up with a good morale compass, and that often means giving bad consequences for poor choices and actions. I know that I am much better off from the spankings and groundings that I got while growing up. Such things can show you that hurting others and stealing isn't a nice way to lead your life. It also gives you a decent work ethic. If I wasn't disciplined, I would be a fairly spoiled, lazy, hooligan.
I also think Proverbs 18:9 is another good passage against laziness...
18:9 (KJV) ~ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
18:9 (NIV) ~ One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
What I get from this is that having a poor work ethic, or is just lazy, wastes the days away, and everyone else's time from not being productive. A similar message I get from the NIV version, is that a person who has idle hands, has more time to speculate on other, more destructive (not productive), things.
The passages show just how important discipline and a good work ethic is for you and everyone else.
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
ReplyDeletefrom men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways
This along with the rest of chapter 2 really puts an emphasis on why wisdom and knowledge are good and how it will help your life.
R. Casey Oberle
I've always loved Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath but harsh words stir up anger." I like this verse because it shows how you have ot be careful about what you say and by just keeping your cool, you can avoid a lot of problems.
ReplyDeleteI also love Proverbs 18:24 "There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." I think this Proverb is especially important to college students because there are a lot of false friends who only pretend to like you for whatever reason. This reminds people that real friends will always be there no matter what.
-Brianna Hamil
I chose Proverb 24:5 "A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength" and I chose this verse because knowledge is power and the more knowledge you have the stronger you may become through writing, teaching, and life experiences and the ability to give knowledge to those who want to learn.
ReplyDeleteI chose Proverbs 4:27 "Do not get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil." People often lose sight of what is important. They let ambition or selfishness get in the way. If people kept their focus on what is important, helping and serving others, less and less would suffer for the actions of others.- Zach Kuhlman
ReplyDeleteI found Proverbs 9:8 to be interesting and true. It says, "Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you." What I get out of this is that scoffers arn't looking to be corrected, but rather they are complaining for the mere sake of complaining. Since this is what they are doing, if you give them nothing to complain about or illegitimatize what they are complaining about then they will strongly dislike that/you because you have taken away their cause. I suppose you can avoid a lot of bad encounters by figuring out whether a particular person needs help understanding something or if they are just going to add the existence of you to their list of things wrong with the world. Also, the second part of this verse seems to explain why wise people continue to get wiser - because they continue to listen and except new points brought up to them, and appreciate being proven wrong for the sake of true and accurate knowledge. Therefore, they accumulate more and more, whereas the scoffer continues to repel intelligent people and may continue to become more and more ignorant.
ReplyDeleteProverb 4: 13-17 " the man who knows right from wrong and has good judgement and common sense is happier than the man who is immensely rich! For such wisdom is far more valuable than precious jewels. Nothing compares with it. Wisdom Gives: A long good life, Riches, Honor, Pleasure, Peace"
ReplyDeletethe reason that i chose this is because it says that you can have all the jewels in the world but they won't make you live longer, or give you peace, but having wisdom and common sense can provide for you.
jason schumacher
My favorite verse in Proverbs is 1:8 "Listen my son to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." This verse itself shows just how much parents have to learn to agree on ways in which to teach and discipline their children. Since the father is preparing his child for the world, he can tend to forget the other things that need to be taught. Usually the mother picks up this slack.
ReplyDeleteThis verse shows just how important it is to listen to and heed both parents advice.
Proverb 3: 25-26 "Be not afraid of sudden terror, of the ruin of the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare." I see this proverb as a guidance of not letting ones fears get to you because if you do let your fears get to you, you might worry too much and end up doing something that is wrong and follow the ways of wicked people.
ReplyDeleteProverb 6: 12-15 "A scoundrel, a villain, is he who deals in crooked talk. He winks his eyes, shuffles his feet, makes signs with his fingers; He has perversity in his heart, is always plotting evil, sows discord. Therefore suddenly ruin come upon him; in an instant he is crushed beyond cure." I also see this proverb as a guide not to do evil deeds and make plans on harming others because it will come back to haunt you in one way or another. Do good and not many bad deeds follow you around.
Proverbs 4:5 "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them." I like this cause it is basically saying, ya get a good understanding of the world, and become educated while learning through life experiences and gaining wisdom, but don't let others opinions on the world stray you away from God and his word. I really like this one because it kind of reflects my opinions on how to take on religion and education all at once.
ReplyDeleteTyler Munson
ReplyDelete12:1 I like the saying who ever doesn't believe in correction is stupid. Yes we can learn many things over our life time but we must be open to change. Those who are not open to change will get crushed by the wheels of time so you must always be open to new things.
One of my favorite Proverbs is 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make uour paths straight" This Proverb is great wisdom in that as long as you trust in God and his decision, he will guide your life to a higher purpose.
ReplyDeleteAnother verse is a Proverb is one of Solomon, 10:23, "A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom." This is a pretty simple Proverb but does put home a good message. If you like engaging in evil conduct you are a fool, but a man that enjoys wisdom is an understading man.