Essay #3

Describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom and diligence and laziness. How does this correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly? Include Scripture references and quotations as appropriate.

Throughout the Bible, it speaks about wisdom and diligence. Along with wisdom and diligence, laziness comes into play. Since we live in a fallen world, we can not have wisdom and diligence without laziness. If we did not have laziness, then we would be living in a world that is more perfect in reality. As Christians, we are blessed by having God's word, so that we can apply the knowledge found in the Bible. On the other hand, non-believers have no such thing as the bible; thus, they try to correct themselves. One place in the Bible that best explains these concepts are found in the Old Testament, from the books of Solomon, especially in Proverbs. Solomon, being the author of the book of Proverbs, was granted the gift of wisdom, because of the covenant that he made with from God, when first became king. When he spoke and wrote about diligence, Solomon used the opportunity to discuss about its opposition, laziness. As I was reading in the Bible, I came upon an illustration, that was given by Solomon, on wisdom and laziness. In his comparison between the two, Solomon sets up wisdom as light and laziness as darkness, “Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king’s successor do than what has already been done? I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness...” (Ecclesiastes 2:12-14a NIV). The first thing that he acknowledges, is that the “wise” man is able to perceive and examine life. Because of this light, the “wise” man is able to live a more fertile life. On the other hand, the foolish man perceives