Problem: Proverbs 22:15 teaches that “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” But, according to this verse, foolishness is irremediable, because, “Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.”
Problem: The Book of Proverbs claims to be written by Solomon (1:1; 10:1). Conservative Jewish and Christian scholars have long attributed this book to King Solomon. However, Proverbs 25:1 speaks of King Hezekiah’s men “copying” these proverbs long after Solomon’s death. Further, the last two chapters claim to be written by Agur (30:1) and King Lemuel (31:1) and not by Solomon. Continue reading →
Problem: Solomon urged here that we “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” Does this justify illegal attempts to “rescue” babies by blocking pregnant women’s path into legal abortion clinics?
Problem: According to Proverbs 22:6, if a child is trained in the way to live, he or she will not depart from this training even when older. However, experience shows that this is not always true. Isn’t this proverb contradicted by experience?
Problem: An Egyptian document containing a book titled “The Wisdom of Amenemope” was discovered in 1888. Many of the sayings are similar to those found in Proverbs chapters 22–24. However, if these chapters in Proverbs are simply a copy of this Egyptian book, then at least this section was not written by Solomon, as it claims to be (cf. 1:1; 25:1).
Problem: On the one hand, the Bible speaks of human beings as having free choice (Matt. 23:37; 2 Peter 3:9) and being responsible for their own destiny (cf. Ezek. 18:20; John 3:36). On the other hand, Solomon declares here that “the Lord made … even the wicked for the day of doom.” Indeed, Paul speaks of some people being “vessels of wrath” (Rom. 9:22). How can we justify God making people in order to destroy them?
Problem: In some places the Bible promises, “No grave trouble will overtake the righteous” (Prov. 12:21; cf. 1 Peter 3:13). But, in other places, such as the fate of Job, it makes a point to show how the godly sometimes suffer great troubles.
Problem: Here Solomon speaks as though the godly person receives his reward in this life, claiming, “the righteous will be recompensed on the earth.” However, the Bible repeatedly speaks of the rewards of the believer as being yet future, after Christ returns (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12).
Problem: Many commentators have claimed that the person identified as wisdom in Proverbs 8:22–31 is Jesus, because 1 Corinthians 1:30 states that Jesus is the wisdom of God. However, though the nkjv translates 8:22 as “The Lord possessed me,” the Hebrew uses the word qanah which is usually translated “to create.” If this passage is a reference to Jesus, then why does 8:22 affirm that the Lord created wisdom? If “wisdom” in Proverbs is not a reference to Jesus, then who is it?