‘For the LORD gives wisdom…he stores up sound wisdom for the upright… The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom’ (Proverbs 2:6, 7; 9:10).
The Old Testament books of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes are often referred to as the wisdom books of the Bible. The theme of wisdom, however, is not limited to these books: it actually pervades much of the Bible. Dan Estes explores wisdom in key passages in Scripture.
In Part 1, he investigates the concept of wisdom in the book of Proverbs: what wisdom is and how it calls out to humans to follow its path. In Part 2, he considers how wisdom is presented in various contexts in the Old Testament, in passages from the law (Deuteronomy 30), history (1 Kings 3-4), prophecy (Jeremiah 8-9) and Psalm 112. Part 3 focuses on Proverbs to learn how wisdom affects our conduct in our work, our speech, our decisions and our righteous living. There is complexity in the biblical message of wisdom. Part 4 shows how the prominent theme of retribution in Proverbs is balanced and qualified in the books of Job and Ecclesiastes. In Part 5, Estes examines the culmination of wisdom in the New Testament, as we see that Jesus is the master teacher of wisdom and the source of all wisdom, and that we are challenged to live by God’s wisdom rather than falling into folly.
Throughout the Bible, we are constantly challenged to learn God’s wisdom, to live God’s wisdom, and to love God’s wisdom.
Содержание
Introduction
Part 1. The concept of wisdom
1. An invitation to wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-7)
2. Searching for wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-11)
3. The contrasting paths of wisdom and folly (Proverbs 9)
4. The personification of wisdom (Proverbs 8)
Part 2. The context of wisdom
5. Choose life (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)
6. Solomon, the prototype of wisdom and folly (1 Kings 3-4)
7. The distortion of wisdom (Jeremiah 8:8-10; 9:23-24)
8. The blessings of fearing the Lord (Psalm 112)
Part 3. The conduct of wisdom
9. Wisdom in work
10. Wisdom in speech
11. Wisdom in decisions
12. Wisdom as righteousness
Part 4. The complexity of wisdom
13. Retribution and its limits
14. Wisdom resides in the all-knowing Lord (Job)
15. Enjoy God’s portion as his gift (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10)
Part 5. The culmination of wisdom
16. Jesus, the teacher of wisdom (Matthew 7:13-29)
17. Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
18. Knowing Christ, the source of wisdom (Colossians 2:1-7)
19. Living by wisdom from above (James 3:13-18)
20. Walking in godly wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-21)
Об авторе
Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Cedarville University, USA. Author of Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms (Baker Academic), Hear, My Son (NSBT; Apollos), and commentaries on Job (Teach the Text), the Psalms (NAC) and The Song of Songs (AOTC)