Proverbs: Obedience to Family and God

[In this introductory post I lay out some ideas that might seem contradictory to last week's analysis of Psalm 119. I am still trying to work through it. Let me know what you think!]

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom literature that is customarily attributed to Solomon in light of the tradition of his wisdom. In actuality, write Claudia V. Camp and Carole R. Fontaine in their introduction to Proverbs in the Harper Collins Study Bible: "The sages who first began to write and collect these sayings were court-and temple-based men who served as counselors, bureaucrats, and teachers during the Divided Monarchy." Editing occurred much later, in the 5th to 3rd century BCE,
"by scribes and teachers associated with the Jerusalem temple." Proverbs, Camp and Fontaine argue, therefore, "reflects the worldview of the intellectual elite." (849)

This final assertion seem plausible as we read through the book. There are no elements of the folkloric tales that inform other piece of literature, such as certain Psalms and the second account of creation in Genesis. Proverbs features neither Leviathan nor burning bush, and does not seem at all concerned with cosmology or any other aspects of the divine. The view of Proverbs is centered in human life on earth. Of course, humans are still governed by covenantal (revealed) law, but Proverbs emphasizes wisdom, which informs every aspect of life. These are not the Lord's words to his people, but the intellectual elite's words to other members - particularly children - of the elite. Hence the agent of punishment and reward is not always directly explicated by God. The ultimate duty is to God, and the authors are sure to note this, but individual expressions of duty within Proverbs may be directed toward other individuals. Reading the book piecemeal may give the impression that God is not needed at all.

For example, the prologue of Proverbs informs us:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Proverbs 1.7)

The verse informs us that the Lord is the agent of goodness, the source of all knowledge. Yet this fact seems to be obscured by verses like the following:

Hear, my child, your father's instruction,
and do not reject your mother's teaching;
for they are a fair garland for your head,
and pendants for your neck.
(Proverbs 1.8-9)

It seems that the father and mother bestow knowledge - and that knowledge seems to be its own reward. But this deference to parents is only part of the larger instruction of obedience of Law.

I will explore this topic further in the next post. Questions, comments? Let me know below!