Although we have examined mostly individual proverbs and their structure, seeing how parallelism helps us understand their meaning, Proverbs does have larger blocks of related sayings. We saw some of this in the first few chapters of the book, and will see it come back at the end. Within the remainder of the book, where we have collections of proverbs that may seem to be unrelated at first glance, we find multiple proverbs that use the principles of parallelism to create longer sections on a given theme. These blocks can be better understood when we see how the verses connect.
There are several passages like this in today’s reading. One of these is in Proverbs 22:17-21. These five verses can each be examined as individual sayings written with various forms of parallelism, and understood on their own. When we follow the train of thought through the entire section, however, we can find even more applications of the wisdom they contain. If you are reading the NASB along with me, these five verses are even set apart as their own segment. Let’s see how these verses build on one another to make a bigger points.
Verse 17 starts with a straightforward exhortation to prepare to receive wisdom and knowledge as you encounter those who are wise. “Incline your ear” is a figure of speech for paying attention and hearing what you are told. “Apply your heart” takes that idea further, not merely listening to wisdom but actually making it a part of your own store of practical knowledge. Together these lines are instructions, and the thought continues into verse 18 with a motivation to follow those instructions. Keeping the words of wisdom will make your life “pleasant,” but this result comes from having the words always ready in your heart and on your lips.
The teaching of wisdom, which is the result of having is always ready to speak, has a deeper purpose. Verse 19 tells us that having God’s wisdom in our hearts and teaching it to others builds our own trust in the Lord. This is why Solomon is giving instruction in wisdom in Proverbs, not merely to provide easy aphorisms to repeat but to change the way his hearers live. Our trust is not in the words that are spoken or read but in the Lord who gives them to us to deepen our relationship with Him.
The “thirty sayings” here in verse 20 are not a specific selection of proverbs but a number that indicates a substantial body of teaching. Solomon wrote far more than thirty proverbs, but the number here is one that appears in other Near Eastern wisdom literature with the idea of full teaching. Solomon points out that he has provided a thorough education, counseling his hearers and readers to gain knowledge. This knowledge is then useful not only for personal use but to allow the learner to become the teacher and give a “true answer” to others.
This five-verse segment shows how we can use the principles of interpretation of wisdom literature to expand our understanding of what is taught in Proverbs. As you examine other segments of related verses, including those in today’s reading, look for the ways that tying together the teaching of each verse can help you build your own wisdom, knowledge, and application of the truth to your life each day.
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