A Story

A man was walking one day when he came upon a vineyard. He enjoyed wine and so he stopped for a moment to appreciate the field.

What he saw surprised him: the field was overgrown, thorns and nettles covered the vines and the ground; even the stone wall that surrounded the property, had broken down. 

What had happened? He thought for awhile, considering what was before his eyes and then it came to him:

  
                           A little sleep, a little slumber,
                              a little folding of the hands to rest,
                           and poverty will come upon you like
                                  a robber,
                              and want, like an armed warrior.

This story comes from the ancient book of Proverbs 24.30-34. Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings and is no doubt the most interactive of all the books in the Bible. The structure of the book is quite simple: chapters 1-9 attempt to convince the reader to follow the advice of chapters 10-31. 

The reader is encouraged to gain hokma (wisdom, skill) in hopes that he or she will be successful at living - enjoying life to the fullest. Hokma is gained two ways: through observation and through experience. 

Proverbs knows somethings are better to be observed: like poverty (6.11); while others are best experienced: like properly raised children (29.17).

The interactiveness comes from the fact that Proverbs asks the reader whether or not its advice is worth following. Take for instance Proverbs 15.1 

                             A soft answer turns away wrath,
                             but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs asks the reader, "Isn't that right?" To which the reader is free to respond, either out of experience or observation, "Yes, that is right."

Proverbs even contradicts itself (26.4):

                            Do not answer fools according to their folly,
                               or you will be a fool yourself.
                                                                                                                                       
And then in the next verse (26.5):

                            Answer fools according to their folly,
                                or they will be wise in their own eyes.
                                                                    

What is going on here? Proverbs illustrates that wisdom is dynamic and must be appropriately applied. These are less timeless truths and more the collective wisdom of the community reflecting on what it looks like to be the people of God. 

Above all, Proverbs begs us to find hokma, personified as a woman at the end of chapter 8:

                            Whoever finds me finds life
                                and obtains favor from Yahweh;
                             but those that miss me injure themselves;
                                all who hate me love death.

As mentioned above, there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, perfect for a daily stroll for a month or so.