1. The Story-Line of Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect LESSON 3: PROVERBS (OF SOLOMON) AND SIRACH (ECCLESIASTICUS) After the stories of Moses and Solomon, the wisdom of Solomon continues in the Hebrew Bible book of Proverbs and additional wisdom emerges in the teachings of Sirach (alternatively called Ecclesiasticus) in the Old Testament Apocrypha. The following slides show how teachings attributed to Solomon and Sirach function as resources for wisdom rhetorolect in the New Testament.  Click for the next slide and a Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

2. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: ACCORDING TO PROVERBS GOD CREATED THE WORLD BY WISDOM Proverbs 3:19 By wisdom Adonai founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. 3:20 By his knowledge the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew. 3:21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 3:22 so they will be life for your soul and grace for your neck. 3:23 Then you shall walk your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

3. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: THE CREATED WORLD REVEALS THE WISDOM AND POWER OF GOD Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

4. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: WISDOM IS A TREE OF LIFE Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

5. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: WISDOM FROM GOD PRODUCES A FRUIT BEARING PERSON Colossians 1:9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding Colossians 1:9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 1:10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

6. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: THE LORD DISCIPLINES THE ONE HE LOVES Proverbs 3:11 My child, don’t despise Adonai’s discipline nor be weary of his reproof, 3:12 for whom Adonai loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

7. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE WHOM HE LOVES Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; 12:6 For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

8. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: THE LORD FAVORS THE HUMBLE Proverbs 3:34 Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

9. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: GOD GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

10. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: LOVE COVERS ALL OFFENSES Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

11. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS James 5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

12. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: THE RIGHTEOUS ARE REPAID ON EARTH Proverbs 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

13. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: IT IS HARD FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED 1 Peter 4:18 “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinners?”  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

14. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: THE ONE SOWING INJUSTICE WILL REAP CALAMITY Proverbs 22:8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

15. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: THE ONE SOWING BOUNTIFULLY WILL REAP BOUNTIFULLY 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 9:7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for god loves a cheerful giver. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace about to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything may abound to every good work.  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

16. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: GOD DOES NOT ACCEPT CLAIMING WE DID NOT TO KNOW Proverbs 24:12 If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this”; doesn’t he who weighs hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

17. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: GOD KNOWS YOUR HEARTS, DO NOT TRY TO JUSTIFY Luke 16:15 He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

18. A Hebrew Bible Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: GIVE YOUR ENEMIES FOOD AND DRINK Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Adonai will reward you.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

19. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: GIVE YOUR ENEMIES FOOD AND DRINK Romans 12:20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 12:21 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

20. An Old Testament Apocrypha Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: DO NOT DEPRIVE THE POOR Sirach 4:1 My son, deprive not the poor of his living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

21. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: DO NOT DEFRAUD Mark 10:19 You know the commandments: “… Do not defraud…”  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

22. An Old Testament Apocrypha Resource for Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: TURN AWAY FROM INIQUITY Sirach 17:26 Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hate abominations intensely.  Click for Christian wisdom rhetorolect that uses this as a resource.

23. Christian Wisdom Rhetorolect: TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS 2 Timothy 2:19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”  Click for another Hebrew Bible resource for Christian wisdom rhetorolect.

24. Good Work! Congratulations! You have completed all three lessons for the Wisdom rhetorolect story-line. You have seen that the story-line of Christian wisdom begins with God’s creation of the world, continues with teachings of Moses and King Solomon, and then remains an influence in teachings attributed to Solomon in Proverbs and in Sirach (Ecclesiastes). Now you are ready to move on to the story-line of another Christian rhetorolect. Now you are ready to move on to the story-line of another Christian rhetorolect. Every good wish as you continue!