The sayings of the wise represent a distinct type of literature in the OT (Old Testament). While Moses received the Ten Commandments directly from God (Ex 20:1-17), as did the prophets their messages (1 Kings 22:19-23; Amos 7:1-9), the wise looked to God's creation to determine how best to live life.
The pursuit of wisdom, however, was not a secular endeavor, for Israel believed God created the world in wisdom (Prov 8:22-30) and thus placed the principles of wisdom in the created order. Thus one can study creation to find what makes life better, longer, healthier and more prosperous. To be wise, then, one must live according to the understanding gained through that study. By contrast, the foolish refuse the disciplined life directed by wisdom in favor of one governed by passion and self-gratification (Prov 1:7).
Foundational to wisdom is the belief that God has created the world in justice and righteousness. By choosing the path of truth and honesty, one may suffer for a time, but eventually obedience will lead to a long life with prosperity. Thus the beginning of wisdom is to reverence or fear God (Prov 1:7; Ex 1:15-21), and wisdom is to be valued more highly than silver, gold or precious stones (Prov 3:14-16).
The wise, both men and women (2 Samuel 14:2), were persons gifted in perceiving wisdom's principles, in stating their findings in a memorable fashion, such as a proverb, and in teaching others how best to live. They were the teachers of the young, the councelors to rulers (2 Samuel 17:1-14), and the negotiators for peace (2 Samuel 20:15-22). Along with the priests and prophets, the teachers of wisdom played an important role in the life of Israel (Jer 18:18).
A rich variety of words is used to describe wisdom. Prov 1:2-6 characterizes it as discipline, understanding, insight, prudence, knowledge, discretion and guidance. Four different types of knowledge were given the title of wisdom: the skill of a craftsman (1 Kings 7:13-14), encyclopedic knowledge (1 Kings 4:33), the understanding of people (Prov 11:10-19), and the knowledge of God and his Word (Psa 19:7). Its literary forms include proverbs, parables, riddles and sayings designed to instruct the young.
In the OT era, wisdom was practiced as an international art form. Thus, Israel shared in a pool of treasured insights, first by receiving and then by adapting these materials. The "sayings of the wise" in Prov 22:17—24:22, for example, were based on the thirty sayings of the Egyptian Amenemope. Israel also wrestled with—and contributed to—the same life issuses that concerned the Egyptians and Mesopotamians: "How can one succeed in life (Pr)?" What is the meaning of (Ecc)?" "Why do the righteous suffer (Job)?"
Wisdom was the collective gift of individuals—male and female, from all classes of society—who had insight into the workings of life. As insights were developed into proverbs and saying, they became part of tribal and village life. Wit hthe rise of monarchy, counselors became part of the court to advise rulers. Solomon was the most noted sage of Israel (1 Kings 4:29-34) and as the patron of that art, his name became associated with various works (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon). Eventually, sages opened schools to educate the young of the royal and wealthy class. These professional sages were probably responsible for our Biblical books in their final forms (Prov 25:1).
The sayings of the wise are not, however, limited to these books. They are found scattered throughout the OT. Several Psalms are classified as wisdom psalms (37,49,73,112,127,128). Amos domonstrates a knowledge of tribal wisdom. The first eleven chapters of Genesis, as well as the story of Joseph, show evidence of wisdom influence. Daniel functioned as a sage, counseling rulers and solving difficult mysteries. Turning to the Nt, one finds the teachings of Jesus cast in the form of wisdom as he used proverbs and parables to deliver his message of the arrival of the kingdom of God (Matt 5—7). Finally, James composed a book of wisdom to teach the "believers in the Lord Jesus Christ" (2:1) how best to live in reverence to God.
