Early in the summer, our lessons from the Hebrew Bible focused on the early history of the Israelite monarchy. We heard of the selection of Saul as King, then of his fall and replacement by David. We also heard snippets of the story of Solomon, his ascent to the throne and the building of the temple.

In recent weeks, we had the only reading from the Song of Solomon that appears in the three-year lectionary cycle. And now we have several selections from the book of Proverbs. Both of these books were traditionally attributed to Solomon, because of his reputation as the wisest of kings. Contemporary research has tended to discount his authorship, on linguistic and historical grounds. Proverbs belongs to Wisdom literature, which appears throughout the Ancient Near East. In fact, a large section of Proverbs (22:17-24:22) is very closely related to the Egyptian Instruction of Amenenope. Wisdom literature is characterized by its approach to the world. It seeks to provide the reader with a way of approaching life. Most striking is the almost complete absence of any reference to sacred traditions and history–the Exodus, covenant, etc.

Our Epistle readings come from the Letter of James. We will continue hearing throughout the month of September. Although it probably achieved its final form late in the first century, its core may indeed derive from James, who was a leader of the church in Jerusalem in the first decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Its emphasis is that of Jewish Christianity, a high value on ethical action and much moral advice. Perhaps the most notorious comment on the letter in the History of Christianity was Martin Luther’s judgment that it is a “straw gospel.”