Parent and Family Background

Wisdom and Poetry Books
The books of wisdom include Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Wisdom of Solomon, and Sirach. The poetry books include the Psalms and the Song of Solomon. This does not mean that all the poetry in the Bible is contained in Psalms and the Song of Solomon. Nor does this mean that all wisdom in the Bible can be found in only five books. Much of the five books of wisdom are written in poetic form. And wisdom can be found throughout the Bible.

The Book of Wisdom
The Book of Wisdom is a discourse calling attention to the extraordinary characteristics of wisdom. Although the specific authorship is unknown, most scholars agree that Wisdom was written in Greek by a well-educated Jew from Alexandria. The author addressed fellow Jews and encouraged the Jews to take pride in their traditional faith. He wanted the people to remain strong in the face of many circumstances that were threatening Jewish faith.

The passage below was written as if King Solomon is the speaker. The author emphasized that one should seek wisdom for its own sake. However, if one has wisdom, all other good things will inevitably follow.

Wisdom 7:7-14

King Solomon’s Respect for Wisdom
I prayed for wisdom and God granted me divine wisdom.
I called out to God and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
Wisdom is worth more to a king than scepters and thrones.
No amount of money compares with the value of wisdom.
Not even gold, silver and gems compare to wisdom.
Wisdom is worth more than health and beauty.
I even prefer wisdom to light.

Once I had wisdom, all good things came to me.
Great wealth came to me.
I ruled with wisdom.
But most importantly,
with wisdom, I found friendship with God.

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 6, chapter 23

Connecting to Faith First®
Grade 6, chapter 23