PROVERBS: EVERYDAY WISDOM FOR EVERYONE
By Eric Lane
Christian Focus. 351 pages
ISBN 1 85792 451 7
Eric Lane's commentary on Proverbs is part of the series Focus on the Bible, designed as 'popular' expositions of Scripture.
It begins with a brief introduction explaining the nature of wisdom in the Ancient Near East and its role among the Israelites. This is followed by an outline of the structure of the Book of Proverbs and how it should be interpreted. Mr Lane stresses that the book is of great practical value for us: it provides us with a 'window on the world' and a mirror in which we see how we appear to others; it is 'education for life', a corrective for believers who can all too often be 'naive, unsophisticated, gullible and credulous about the things of the world'. The author stresses the importance of gaining wisdom while one is still young and encourages his readers to learn key verses heart.
The narrative sections of Proverbs (the first nine chapters and closing sections) are dealt with verse by verse. The more proverbial central section is dealt with thematically, though still chapter by chapter. A thematic index is included at the end of the book. The headings seeking to identify a unifying theme for each chapter sometimes appeared a little artificial.
Every two or three pages there is a question linking the teaching of Proverbs with relevant New Testament verses. The questions often demand careful thought - the answers are not immediately obvious, e.g. 'Give some thought to the place of ridicule in teaching or counselling. When is it justified? How should it be used? Compare Jesus's mockery of the Jews in Matthew 11. 16f. with the soldiers' mockery of him in Matthew 27.27-31'. They provide useful material for discussion and for study groups as well as for personal thought and meditation.
Here is a book which is orthodox, evangelical and reformed. It is characterised throughout by a profound sense of seriousness - manifestly written from a depth of personal experience and written not simply to inform the mind but to transform life. I warmly commend this book as an encouragement to that fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom.
