Wisdom Books
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
While the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch) record the Law of Moses in the form of commandments, the Wisdom Books propound that teaching in the form of counsels and proverbs. They also reveal the close connection between knowledge that comes through faith, and knowledge acquired through human reasoning. The book of Job takes the form of a narrative—the story of an upright man who experiences misfortune after misfortune; to a degree, it lifts the veil that shrouds the mystery of suffering. The book of Ecclesiastes helps the believer to appreciate the value of things heavenly. Proverbs consists of seven collections of wise sayings from the ancient Near East. The Wisdom of Solomon, which probably originated in the Jewish community of Alexandria (Egypt), interfaces with the world of Greek culture. Sirach, written by someone steeped in the wisdom tradition of Israel, was much referenced by the early Fathers of the Church. Reading and reflecting on the Wisdom Books helps prepare the human mind and spirit to receive the Lord and to understand his teaching.
Top Highlights
“‘what is distinctive in the biblical text is the conviction that there is a profound and indissoluble unity between the knowledge of reason and the knowledge of faith.” (Page 331)
“His all-embracing power does not make God an unjust tyrant; on the contrary, God is always righteous” (Pages 349–350)
“The passage also underlines God’s loving providence towards all created beings. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 301 puts it as follows: ‘With creation, God does not abandon his creatures to themselves. He not only gives them being and existence, but also, and at every moment, upholds and sustains them in being, enables them to act and brings them to their final end. Recognizing this utter dependence with respect to the Creator is a source of wisdom and freedom, of joy and confidence.” (Pages 347–348)
“Council of Trent: ‘But no one, however much justified, ought to consider himself exempt from the observance of the commandments, nor should he employ that rash statement, forbidden by the Fathers under anathema, that the commandments of God are impossible of observance by one who is justified. For God does not command the impossible, but in commanding he admonishes you to do what you can and to pray for what you cannot, and he gives his aid to enable you. His commandments are not burdensome (cf. 1 Jn 5:3); his yoke is easy and his burden light (cf. Mt 11:30)’ ’ (Veritatis splendor, 102).” (Pages 436–437)
“The predominant idea is that the worship that is pleasing to God is not mere liturgical ritual: true adoration must be backed up by righteous living.” (Page 497)
