The Sacred Writings played a big role in the life of the Israelites. In any culture or people–group, you can find books of sayings, songs, prayers, or short pithy statements that come out of the experiences from their daily life. When these pass the test of time and are used by multiple groups, in multiple locations over several generations, they become folklore. It becomes their story and it is passed from generation to generation to keep the history alive.

These stories appear in multiple forms and are used in variety of ways that fit the needs and expectations of the people who own them. Some of the ways they are used include the following: public worship, retelling family history, instructing young members, and reminding both old and young of proper prioritization. Furthermore, for the Israelites, these stories describe the plight of the people and their relationship to God over the centuries, especially since the time of Abraham. The specifics of the story present truths of eternal religious and theological significance, as well as the majesty and mystery of God’s ways.

The paternalistic tone of Proverbs illustrates a parenting style. The adult addresses the child and asks them to “listen,” to “pay attention,” to “give ear to,” to “keep the commandments,” while all along suggesting that this is the Way of wisdom, success, honor, and righteousness. The Jewish parent would often ask the child to repeat these stories back to them in a way to be assured that the lessons were learned well.

In Proverbs 4:20–27, one can read about a father asking his boy to heed the advice of his parents (especially since in a world where there are many crossroads, the possibility of taking the wrong turn is ever present). Here, the father gives his child specific instructions of what he can and should control and by making the right and wise decision the child will be on the right path.

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words

Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

For they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole

body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your

lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not

swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

In this text, the father tells the son that, in his life, he will encounter many crossroads and face many decisions, which will have an impact on him. The son may not have many experiences in dealing with everything that life may throw at him, but he can have control of some basic things. These guiding principles will help him in being wise, and, furthermore, will help him make the right choice, which will, in turn, please parents and honor God. Observe the things the child can control—his ears to listen and pay attention, his heart to keep his father’s words, his health if he obeys, his lips, mouth, heart, and eyes to stay on the right path. His is told to watch the roads his feet go on, and, of course, by controlling his body and doing what he is told, he will not swerve to the right or left but stay on course. These are words of wisdom from the father to the son.

The author of Hebrews makes a similar claim, when he suggests, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus . . . so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1–3). Such practical advice is the primary religious purpose behind these books. Our faith is not only a spiritual, intellectual, and emotional, but is equally important when it comes to our daily praxis.

The author of Luke’s Gospel portrays Jesus in a same way. “And Jesus grew in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). This describes the balance of the healthy and wise person. The physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, and practical balance is the plan of God for his people. Wisdom Literature contributes to this delicate and God-pleasing balance.

The more poetic and contemplative aspects of these writings present us with another way that the Israelites accomplished the task being wise and raising wise children. It is seen in their poetry, stories of their past heroes, or analogous or parabolic writings. These require the reader to take the time to sit, read, think, observe, contemplate, and experience God’s relationship to them. In a way, these are examples, like stain glass windows in the great cathedrals and basilicas of our time. The person may enter in a deep, long, and potentially life-changing spiritual experience. This may take the approach of contemplation, prayer, devotion, quietness, and longing for God.

The stark difference seen between the short, pithy practical ways of the Book of Proverbs from the longer, more creative stories passed down to them through books such as Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs, is the posture and approach of the reader. Here, the father is not drilling and asking the child to repeat, but rather the reader or observer contemplates the plight of the people. Most of these are familiar stories, which are seen and heard over time with new and profound meaning based on the state of the observer. A child who grows up in the church may hear the story of David and the Giant, and, at different stages of his/her life, the meaning may change slightly or profoundly.

There are a few hermeneutical principles that are different in these writings.

1. One requires the person to read and understand the song or the story as a whole. It loses its value when it is separated and compartmentalized. For example, the story of Job teaches that God allows for difficulties and suffering. At the end, the hero is protected and blessed. Similarly, the trials and suffering may not be the same or of the same depth, but one can still count on God to protect and bless even bless them.

2. Another principle requires the reader to understand that the details of the story are not exactly the same as his/her own, although principles are easily transferable from past experiences to one’s present own experience. For example, God will provide for their daily needs as he provided for the daily needs of the Israelites in Exodus. Similarly, King David’s needs during his battles are different than our contemporary needs during our battles. One is not wandering in the wilderness or fighting giants as the stories detail. However, one can ask for and experience God’s provisions and protection in times of struggle and hostility.

3. When one observes a piece of art, there are many elements and stories within the story, but each individual story contributes to the whole message that the artist is portraying. Great church stain glass windows may portray many specific stories within the story, but, when seen all together, they present the major massage of the story. For example, in the picture of the last supper, one observes different conversations, different emotions, different posturing, based upon the individual Disciples’ depictions. Some are excited; others may be sad, hungry, confused by Jesus’s words, etc., but the picture, holistically, can give a more complete message of the great promise of Jesus, and possibly the great message of the communion table, which is a central part of the Christian faith.

Finally, the Song of Solomon (Songs), in many ways, explains some great mysteries of the church. One of these is the mystery of the relationship between a man and a woman. It is as deep and profound as any other experience in a person’s life, but it cannot be explained in words; it can only be observed and experienced. Thus, the contemplative way of thinking about love and intimacy helps us see and experience the story. It is impossible to write an essay that fully unravels the emotional, spiritual, physical, intimate, and intellectual depth and breadth of the relationship between these two lovers. But, when one reads Ecclesiastes, one can enter into that profound world of love, and intimacy God created for his people.

Wisdom literature, then, can be experienced through the creative ways of God’s people as they write, draw, or tell their stories. As Crenshaw concludes, “For that opportunity to think their thoughts, and thus to enrich our own, we owe an immense debt to the wise men and women who ventured forth on an endless search more than three thousand years ago.”[1]Future generations then find the answers to their questions about life, love, intimacy, fear, longing, trust, peace, contentment. The wisdom literature of the Christian church is seen and experienced through our hymnals, books, stain glass windows, religious icons, and personal stories of people as they experience God. Just as the Israelites asked their children to learn the stories, sing their songs, and live in wisdom and fear of God, the Church continues this redemptive story through the contemplation and memorization of biblical wisdom.

~ Tim Tsohantardis

Excerpt from God in the Details (Kendall-Hunt, 2017)

[1] Crenshaw, 239.