Books of Wisdom

I. Introduction
-The Book of Wisdom was written about fifty years before the coming of Christ.
- Its author, whose name is not known to us, was probably a member of the Jewish community at Alexandria, in
Egypt.
-He wrote in Greek, in a style patterned on that of Hebrew verse. At times he speaks in the person of Solomon,
placing his teachings on the lips of the wise king of Hebrew tradition in order to emphasize their value.
-His profound knowledge of the earlier Old Testament writings is reflected in almost every line of the book, and
marks him, like Ben Sira, as an outstanding representative of religious devotion and learning among the sages
of postexilic Judaism.

II. Main Purpose

- The author was the edification of his co-religionists in a time when they had experienced suffering and
oppression, in part at least at the hands of apostate fellow Jews.
-To lead people of Jews to know God where He is the source of blessings.

III. The principal divisions of the Book of Wisdom

a. The Reward of Righteousness (1:1–6:21)
- The Destiny of the Righteous and the Wicked - Righteous people are protected by God and will never suffer
torment. Those who have put their trust in God will come to understand the truth of his ways. Those who have
been faithful will live with him in his love, for he is kind and merciful to the ones whom he has chosen.
-However wicked people will get the punishment their wicked thoughts deserve, because they rebelled against
the Lord and ignored what was right. A man who has no use for wisdom or education has a miserable life in
store for him.
b. Praise of Wisdom by Solomon (6:22–11:1)
- It is about Solomon gives loves to wisdom where the spirit of wisdom came to him. Wealth is not worthy like
his throne, gold, and jewelries. He said that having wisdom is already claiming happiness. Solomon loves the
wisdom.
- The spirit of Wisdom is intelligent and holy. It is of one nature but reveals itself in many ways. It is not made
of any material substance, and it moves about freely. It is clear, clean, and confident; it cannot be harmed.
-Solomon prayed for wisdom. Wisdom helps Solomon to lead understanding to God. Wisdom is a source of
blessings. Wisdom saved a lot of Israelites.

c. Special Providence of God During the Exodus (11:2–16; 12:23–27; 15:18–19:22) with digressions on
God’s mercy (11:17–12:22) and on the folly and shame of idolatry (13:1–15:17)
- Wisdom brought success to the people of Israel through a holy prophet (Moses) where Israelites suffered as
slaves by the Egyptians. The disasters that punished the Egyptians saved your people when they were in trouble
because Egyptians are the wicked who do not believe or follow the God of Abraham. To those who are serving
other gods (Idolatry) will be punished and must be shamed.