How are we to understand certain Proverbs?

[Southern Presbyterian]

In Proverbs 1 Solomon says that the purpose of the book is "To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth — Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles." Therefor I take the majority of Proverbs to be instruction as to how we are to live -- a "to do list" for the righteous, if you will. However, how are we to take Proverbs such as 21:14, "A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath."? Obviously we are not to go around bribing people to make things go our way. So do we take this as a truism that gives wisdom about how the world sometimes works? Is it a negative example? Or is there another meaning that I am missing?

Any thoughts or wisdom?

 

[rbcbob]

I believe that you are right in taking Prov 21:14 as an example of how the world works.

Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.

Bridges comments

"How do we need a close watch and keeping of our own hearts, in order to a Christian walk with God!"

 

[py3ak]

It seems like shrewd common sense observations about the practical realities would fall under the heading of "wise dealing" because that's the sort of thing you sometimes need to know to act wisely in given circumstances - for instance, understanding why some trivial bit of straightforward legal business is suddenly being interrupted by all sorts of ridiculous problems.

 

[Southern Presbyterian]

So we gain wisdom by understanding how/why the world functions the way it sometimes does.

How about Proverbs such as 21:9, "It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife." and 21:19, "It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman."?

Obviously a "warning" to the unmarried, but how about the fellow who finds himself already in such a situation?

 

[rbcbob]

The brother who “finds himself already in such a situation” understands both from the text and experience that his situation is less pleasant than living in a desert land. Nonetheless he has his duty (1 Corinthians 7:12) assigned to him by God.