Wisdom Literature
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Proverbs 22:6
#1 – The Genre
This book falls within the book of Proverbs and is thus a piece of wisdom literature. It is more specifically a proverb, which are pithy statements (sometimes strung into longer passages, but often contained in only a verse or two) intended to convey important, practical truths about everyday life. Some proverbs contain observations, mere statements of fact about the way the world operates, while others express exhortations, encouraging discerning readers/listeners to conform their life-patterns to fit the truths expressed in the proverbs. This specific verse is of the prescriptive kind, and encourages parents in the careful and diligent upbringing of their children. Our verse also falls within a larger section that is a collection of the short sayings of Solomon; these begin in 10:1. However, the nature of these short proverbs is such that they stand rather independently. Since they are not thematically linked or chained, one verse does not directly impact the meaning of the surrounding verses.
#2 – Generic Conception (“Big Idea”)
Parents ought to train their children to be God-followers, because children reared “in the way they should go” will generally “not depart from it.”
#3 – Observations about the Passage
Because, as mentioned before, these proverbs are mostly free-standing verses, the meaning of the proverb does not come from the flow of thought developed in the preceding verses and continuing on to the following verses. This appears contrary to the sound hermeneutical principle that meaning flows from the larger units to the smaller units. However, sensitivity to the genre will show that this principle still applies. Meaning flows from the larger unit (i.e., “This is of the genre proverb.”) to the smaller unit (i.e., “Within the genre proverb, certain proverbs—of which our verse is an example—do not rely on the immediately preceding and following verses for their meaning.”) even in this case.
It is important here to note that proverbs are not to be taken as doctrinal guarantees or promises from God. They are observations and exhortations from wise men who have lived a long time and seen the ins and outs of life. Thus there is an important difference between Solomon’s observation and warning in 22:16 that “He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself / Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty,” and God’s judgment in Ezekiel 22 on “the bloody city” (Ezekiel 22:1), in which God observes that “the people of the land […] have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice,” and consequently “I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads,” says the Lord (Ezekiel 22:29-31). In the instance of Solomon’s proverb, Solomon is noting a general principle of the way things go: it is not in one’s best interest to oppress the poor. The Ezekiel’s case, God is speaking judgment on the people of Israel for their oppression of the poor, and has officially proclaimed His intention to mete out justice by bringing “their way […] upon their heads.” In the former, we have a probable outcome. In the latter, we have a certain outcome.
#4 – Interpretation of the Passage
Contrary to a common interpretation, Proverbs 22:6 does not contain a promise to Christian parents that their children will grow up to follow Jesus if they are reared properly. Though this is a popular reading—and even a “desirable” one in the sense that it would be great if this were the case—the genre of “proverb” does not support such a “name it and claim it” posture.
Instead, Proverbs 22:6 should be read in light of its genre. It is a probabilistic verse. Wise parents should take care in how they “train up” their children, for godly discipline and instruction in childhood have a profound (but not iron-clad) influence on how those children will choose to live later in their lives.
Let’s look at another proverb to verify the truth of the “principle rather than guarantee” way of reading proverbs. Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.” Clearly this is meant to indicate that people who cultivate insatiable desires within themselves are prone to squander their resources seeking in vain to meet their desires. It does not mean that pleasure-seekers cannot possibly become wealthy. We can all think of examples of scores of people (Hugh Heffner comes to mind) who live extravagant lifestyles and still seem to have a great deal of wealth. But the principle of this proverb stands nonetheless, for we also know of countless example of people who have had excessive incomes and yet ended up bankrupt or in deep debt (think Michael Jackson).
This example could be replicated again and again with other proverbs. As with Proverbs 22:6, these sayings should not be read as guarantees, but rather as indications of how to live a wise life.
#5 – Application
The interpretation of this passage is indeed the application. We ought to take great care with the upbringing of our children. This does not guarantee that they will follow the Lord later in their lives, but godly examples and godly direction give them a much better chance at living lives that honor Jesus Christ than careless parenting that says, “kids have to decide for themselves what is best,” or other such “hands-off” attitudes that are popular today. These are not wise parenting methods. Instead, we should train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and then live this out for them to see, leaving a legacy that they would be wise to follow.