Day 188. Proverbs 20-22

How do we go about making ethical decisions? What is the "lamp" that guides us amidst the moral perplexities of the world?
The world of the Book of Proverbs was in its own way as morally perplexing as our own. And at times Proverbs is strikingly modern in its way of dealing with that perplexity. The Law of Moses in ethical matters demands unconditional obedience. What is right is right because it is right. The authority of the LORD of the covenant makes it so. In the Book of Proverbs moral choices are made on quite a different basis. I call it pragmatic realism.
The Proverbs of Solomon do not contradict the Law—at times they closely echo it. What is right does not change. But what underlies the Proverbs is morality based upon enlightened self interest. Take for instance the attitude of the wise teacher toward strong drink—"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler," he says, and "whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (20:1). Note that the drinking of spirits is not condemned absolutely, as bad in itself, but rather as a practical concern. Those who imbibe too freely lose their self-control, say too much, act rashly, and get themselves into trouble. Look at what Proverbs says about gossip—"A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler" (20:19). Gossip is condemned in itself as cruel and destructive behavior; it is disapproved of because association with people who gossip is dangerous to a successful professional life, where discretion is so crucial. And on a more
positive note—"Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor" 22:9). Generosity is approved not so much because it is good in itself, but because it yields rewards from the LORD.
The Book of Proverbs views human nature itself with guarded skepticism. "Who can say", the wise teacher asks, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin" (20:9). There is no such thing as absolute goodness—everyone is to some degree corrupted. It is this kind honesty that a modern reader cannot help finding refreshing. Forewarned is forearmed, by mother used to say. People can be trusted only when their self-interest is at stake. So the voice says—"Many proclaim themselves loyal, but who can find one worthy of trust?" (20:6)
All that having been said, we find in the Book of Proverbs the first reference to what we might call conscience—a modern idea if there ever was one. The Law provided ancient Israel all the guidance necessary. If you broke the Law you felt shame; if you kept it you experienced that uprightness in the sight of God and the community the Bible calls "righteousness." But conscience is something apart from shame and righteousness. "The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD, searching every inmost part" (20:27). Note that it is not God's Law that is the lamp, but something deep within the human spirit that reveals what is right and wrong. The growth of the idea of moral conscience is a subject about which we will have much more to say as we travel together through the scriptures.