Verse from Proverbs

“Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:20‬ ‭

Proverbs 22 opens a window into the world of King Solomon. Beginning in verse 17, Solomon provides a collection of thirty “sayings of the wise,” which are modeled on the proverbs of an Egyptian sage named Amenemope. 

A “sage” was the ancient Near Eastern equivalent of a modern philosopher, and Solomon’s work in Proverbs shows he was well aware of his fellow sage’s approach to wisdom. The striking differences in Solomon’s take on Amenemope’s work, however, highlight the crucial role of Israel’s God in wise living. Wisdom on its own isn’t enough, but, as Solomon notes in verse 19, the goal of wisdom is confident trust in God Himself.

Believers in Jesus don’t have a monopoly on wisdom. Like Solomon did with the Egyptian sages, we can find wisdom at work across the globe. But we also know that wisdom ultimately must direct humanity back to the God who created us.