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Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job: Wisdom

  1. Lesson One
    Proverbs: Sayings of Sages (Proverbs 5–9, 22–30)
    25 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Proverbs: Wisdom, Our World and YHWH (Proverbs 10–21, 31)
    29 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    Ecclesiastes
    23 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    The Lament of Job (Job 1–3, 32–42)
    30 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    The Wisdom of Job (Job 4–31)
    20 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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The best-known and most obvious ancient parallel to the book of Proverbs is the Egyptian Instruction of Amenemope (dated to the century before Solomon). Most of Amenemope’s connections with the book of Proverbs appear between chapters 22 and 23. While the relationship between these two works is debated, they clearly have much in common. It may be that Proverbs drew on Amenemope and adapted it as a source, but it’s just as possible that the two books simply share a frequency and focus typical of ancient Wisdom Literature. Either way, the content in Proverbs is elevated and distinguished through its place in Israel’s story, and its relationship to YHWH. Note the similarities between Proverbs and Amenemope given in the table below.

Proverbs 22:22Amenemope iv, 4-5
Do not exploit the poor because they are the poorGuard yourself from robbing the poor.
and do not crush the needy in court.From being violent to the weak.