Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 22:4 (Winter 2018)
Article: The Diligence, Justice, And Generosity Of The Wise: The Ethic Of Work In The Book Of Proverbs
Author: Daniel S. Diffey

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SBJT 22:4 (Winter 2018) p. 33

The Diligence, Justice, And Generosity Of The Wise: The Ethic Of Work In The Book Of Proverbs

Daniel S. Diffey

Daniel S. Diffey is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona. He earned his PhD in Old Testament from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He has authored articles in Tyndale Bulletin and Evangelical Quarterly and is the General Editor of the Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies. Dr. Diffey is the regional chairperson of the Far West region of the Evangelical Theological Society, an elder at Trinity Bible Church, Phoenix, Arizona, a husband, and a father of three.

Introduction

A major theme in the book of Proverbs is the theme of work. This is largely presented through a contrast between the sluggard and the one who is diligent. It is surprising then, that not much has been written from a scholarly perspective on the theme of work within Proverbs.1 It is not as if this topic has been neglected, but there does appear to be a general lack of focused thinking outside of commentaries and reference works. This is unfortunate because Proverbs has a more focused discussion on work than almost anywhere else in the Bible.2 Proverbs portrays a picture of two different types of workers, the wise and the foolish.3 The wise worker is characterized by diligence in his work. Within Proverbs the wise pursue diligence and fools pursue laziness. As a general rule diligence leads to flourishing while laziness leads to poverty. This idea manifests itself in exhortations towards diligence and admonitions against laziness

SBJT 22:4 (Winter 2018) p. 34

throughout the book. Each of these exhortations and admonitions brings to light different aspects and attributes of those who are wise and diligent against those who are foolish and lazy. In regards to the subject of work, however, the book of Proverbs does not merely compare and contrast the diligent and the sluggard. The wise worker is just and righteous in the way that he earns his wages. And the wise worker is generous with what he has earned. This lies in stark contrast to the depiction of the foolish worker who is a sluggard and is characterized by laziness, oppression of the poor, and a squanderer of money. This contrast between the wise and the foolish worker provides the basis for the ethic of work within the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs portrays a proper understanding of work through a description of the wise worker, someone who is diligent, just, and generous.

Diligence Of The Wise...

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