Lesson 5: Introduction to Genre
OT Genres: Proverbs
The book of Proverbs is wisdom applied to all of life. It has two main sections:
Chapters 1–9 establish the framework for receiving wisdom. Here you will find repeated calls to heed the way of wisdom and turn away from the snares of folly.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
—Proverbs 1:7
Chapters 10–31 contain hundreds of short, pithy proverbs on a wide range of common life issues. Sometimes they come in sets (e.g. Proverbs 30), but most often they appear to be random. A highly organized master filer might want to rearrange them by theme—and it is not a bad thing to see all that Proverbs has to say on a particular topic (e.g. work, leadership, anger, money). Nevertheless, while the themes are mixed, they are not random. Part of the beauty and wisdom of Proverbs is that you don’t get everything you need on a topic in one dose. It comes, rather, piece by piece, each nugget designed to work its way into the fabric of your thinking.
Keys for interpreting Proverbs:¹
Proverbs apply to specific occasions. Sometimes it is best to respond to a fool (Proverbs 26:5), other times it is best to hold your tongue (Proverbs 26:4). Wisdom requires knowing the difference.
Proverbs often address ultimate truths (e.g. Proverbs 10:27). The truths of Proverbs do not always work out in every specific situation. Nevertheless, time, especially eternity, will bear out both the blessing of walking in the way of wisdom and the ultimate end of those who walk in folly.