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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
Lesson Progress
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See the table below for the correct answers:

Proverbs (NIV)Discourse or maxim?
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand; (8:1-2)
Discourse
Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(10:4-5)
Maxim
Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table. (9:1-2)
Discourse
The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.
With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape. (11:8-9)
Maxim

Anytime you see a brief contrast between two types (e.g., godly/ungodly, wise/unwise, delivered/punished, etc.), or something that reads like a tidy piece of instruction, you’re looking at maxims or “proverbs.” In contrast to the compact instruction and juxtaposition of maxims, the book of Proverbs’ discourses are sustained arguments or descriptions.