The Wisdom of Solomon is organised into various topics for convenient use by those who study the book. The first section - 1:1 to 5:23 - declares that wisdom is given only to a righteous person. The second - 6:1 to 9:19 - deals with political issues, such as God's part in judging the wicked rulers. The third section - 10:1 to 19:21 - deals with the actions of God among His people, His protection of Israel and His punishment of their enemies.
The author is neither a philosopher nor a theologian; he is a typical sage of Israel. Like the wisdom writers before him he commends wisdom, born of God, obtained by prayer, mainspring of all the virtues, source of every good. But he outstrips his predecessors, adding to the sum of this wisdom the most recent achievements of human knowledge - 7:17-21, 8:8 - The problem of retribution, for so long the study of the sages and introduction to Wisdom Books, finds its solution in this book. The author makes use of the Platonic distinction of body from soul - 9:15 - and of the doctrine of the immortality of the soul to proclaim that God has made man imperishable - 2:23 - and that incorruption is the reward of wisdom and the way to God - 6:18-19 - This life is only a preparation for another in which the virtuous live with God and the wicked are punished - 3:9-10 -
His doctrine of God's attribute, Wisdom, is traditional. Wisdom was active in the whole work of creation and Wisdom carries history to its goal. The qualities assigned to Wisdom are from chapter 11 onwards attributed to God himself but this is because Wisdom and God in his function of world ruler are the same thing. Wisdom, however, is 'an emanation of the glory of the Almighty...a reflection of the eternal light...an image of his goodness' - 7:25-26 - and is therefore distinguished from God. The author, it seems goes no further than the other wisdom writer here and it does not appear that he gives Wisdom an existence of its own; but the passage on the nature of Wisdom - 7:22, 8:8 - is a step forward in the expression of the traditional ideas and a deeper perception of them. It is not surprising that the New Testament draws upon this passage for its theology of the Word. - Col. 1:15-16; Heb. 1:3 - and especially St.John, - John 1; 3:16-17; 5:20 -
Tastes have changed and the Book of Wisdom has lost its original impact but its first section, chapter 1 to 9 has much to offer the Christian mind and the liturgy has made generous use of it.
The whole book, God as Creator. God is actively involved in human affairs. Wisdom comes from God and is necessary for preservation and creativity in this world. Immortality awaits those who live by this wisdom.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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