BibleProject | The Wisdom of ProverbsSample

Chapter 22: The Saying of the Wise

This chapter can be broken into two parts. The beginning half of this chapter (verses 1-16) is the last of Solomon’s 375 proverbs. These final 16 in the collection talk about prosperity and challenge those with many resources to live by God’s view of wealth. God's favorite currency is justice! This truth is evidenced by the centerpiece of this 16-verse set, verses 8-9, a literary pair focused on generosity to the poor.

Verses 17-21 are an introduction to a new section in the book of Proverbs called “the Thirty Sayings of the Wise” (from 22:17-24:22). This collection will consist of (you guessed it) thirty sayings. The first six are found right here in this chapter. These sayings are different from the two-line proverbs we are used to reading. The sayings are usually longer (4-6 lines), although some are one-liners (see 22:28).

Before the sayings begin, we first read an introduction (verses 17-21) which reminds us of the voice of the father. If you don’t remember, he is the one with all the speeches to his son in chapters 1-9. He implores the son to listen to wisdom and apply himself to knowledge, or, as he says in verse 19, “That your trust may be in Yahweh.” Trusting in the LORD is the purpose of this ancient book of wisdom. Reread verses 17-21, spending some time meditating on the purpose of the father’s heart for you.