The Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs
In The Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs, Kirsten Birkett writes an exposition on this premier book of wisdom.
Wrestling with Wisdom
I most appreciated Birkett’s approach to Proverbs. She writes in a way that causes the reader to truly wrestle with the text. She explains that wisdom literature is meant to be grasped, pondered, absorbed, and reflected upon. While the West wants shortcuts and quick answers, Proverbs does not offer these to us. We are to think about and apply them throughout our lives.
She breaks Proverbs into four sections: (1) Initial training (chapters 1–9), (2) The Proverbs of Solomon (chapters 10–24), (3) Royal wisdom (chapters 25–29), and (4) Agur and Lemuel (chapters 30–31).
While I mostly knew Proverbs as a collection of stand-alone sayings, she helps me see the structure and brings the story and narrative elements of Proverbs to life.
Choose WIsdom
I was most pleased to read about the connection between discipline, wisdom, and the Lord’s love. He disciplines us because He loves us. She writes in a way that helps us see God’s heart and helps to reorder ours—to fear, know, and rely on God.
As with other Hodder commentaries, Birkett applies Proverbs to Western culture—and in many cases, exposes what Western culture gets wrong. We are a people who pursue sex. We are a people who love money. Proverbs points us in the right direction.
Reading this commentary will give you an increased hunger for wisdom, and better equipped to choose it and walk in its way.
I received a media copy of The Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs (Amazon) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.