VIRTUOUS LIVING - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Solomon as a “powerful and ambitious monarch with a strong central administration”(Clements 1992:18). In this plausible environment, wisdom, thus purported, wasnurtured and consequently flourished.However, post-exilic wisdom seems to have had great recognition and influencethrough its interaction with the wider world. Clements argues that Jewish wisdomremained anchored in the torah to the extent that wisdom nearly lost its distinctprominence apart from the law/torah (cf Clements 1992:19). Brueggemann considersthis noticeable shift to be a socio-political economic strategy in which theDeuteronomist, while remaining aware of the torah recognises that human influencehas a great stake in the present and planning for the future.Brueggemann presents Israel’s new order under Solomonic rule, during which Israelconsolidated its political and economic monopoly. He identifies the sages’ “hidden,but discernible orderliness of God’s creation” (Brueggemann 1990:129). As it hasbeen suggested by Crusemann, the texts (Proverbs 1-9) reflect and serve certaininterests which value social stability (see Brueggemann 1990:129). Cox, who seessuch development as a necessary “secular outlook” dominated by human value andlife experiences (Cox 1982:77), confirms this view.Brueggemann remains critical of secular political power with its interwoven, just andselfish interests. He argues that there is often a particular experience that accompaniespower. Leaders try to balance responsibility and freedom in the face of ethicalrealities. Often they end up misusing their power, raising the question of legitimacy.The wisdom teacher would have to reflect on the “deeds and consequences” withregard to justice, righteousness, and equity. A secular power would have to reach abalance as to what is “politically permissible” and “tolerable” and “non negotiable” tocreated order. (cf Brueggemann 1990:129-130). We note sadly that the divine elementwould have been lost all together. Could this be the reason for divine intervention?The principles behind Jewish wisdom are: a specific knowledge and relationship withGod; regard for the individual at all levels of community; the employment of thepower of language in the personification of wisdom; and the accommodation ofsecular wisdom as realities of political and competitive environments were faced. All252