There are 915 verses in the book of Proverbs, each a gem of practical advice. It is by far my favorite book of the Bible and the most helpful for me when I face real world issues in business, relationships, or story telling. The no nonsense sentimentality accepts life for what it is and gives anyone who listens instructions for dealing with the world.
Earlier this year I read Proverbs Chapter 25 shortly after viewing two of the contenders for the 2007 Best Cinematography Oscar. I found it interesting that the plots for the movies are summarized back to back in Proverbs 25:6-8.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Proverbs 25:6-7a
Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here”, than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
The movie opens with Robert Ford shamelessly selling himself to Jesse and his brother Frank James to become a member of the James Gang. Frank tells Robert how little he thinks of him. Robert Ford’s lust for prestige drives him to kill the object of his obsession. While it’s true that Jessie James was a far cry from being a king or even a great man, the underlying principle is the same.
Atonement
Proverbs 25:7b-8
What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
In the movie, a writer in her late seventies recounts the story of how her testimony in a rape case ended in the untimely death of both her sister and her sister’s lover during World War II in Great Britain. At the end of the film it is revealed her memory was not only questionable concerning the events she thought she saw as a child but that she had been diagnosed with vascular dementia, thus throwing the entire narrative into question.
Although they often seem cumbersome, outdated and awkward, Proverbs are an apt description of how life unfolds. Therefore, they make perfect plot outlines. Though the names and faces and language may have changed (who goes to court “hastily” nowadays or knows “noblemen” anyway?) King Solomon was right, “There is nothing new under the sun”.
Proverbs
There are 915 verses in the book of Proverbs, each a gem of practical advice. It is by far my favorite book of the Bible and the most helpful for me when I face real world issues in business, relationships, or story telling. The no nonsense sentimentality accepts life for what it is and gives anyone who listens instructions for dealing with the world.
Earlier this year I read Proverbs Chapter 25 shortly after viewing two of the contenders for the 2007 Best Cinematography Oscar. I found it interesting that the plots for the movies are summarized back to back in Proverbs 25:6-8.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Proverbs 25:6-7a
Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here”, than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
The movie opens with Robert Ford shamelessly selling himself to Jesse and his brother Frank James to become a member of the James Gang. Frank tells Robert how little he thinks of him. Robert Ford’s lust for prestige drives him to kill the object of his obsession. While it’s true that Jessie James was a far cry from being a king or even a great man, the underlying principle is the same.
Atonement
Proverbs 25:7b-8
What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
In the movie, a writer in her late seventies recounts the story of how her testimony in a rape case ended in the untimely death of both her sister and her sister’s lover during World War II in Great Britain. At the end of the film it is revealed her memory was not only questionable concerning the events she thought she saw as a child but that she had been diagnosed with vascular dementia, thus throwing the entire narrative into question.
Although they often seem cumbersome, outdated and awkward, Proverbs are an apt description of how life unfolds. Therefore, they make perfect plot outlines. Though the names and faces and language may have changed (who goes to court “hastily” nowadays or knows “noblemen” anyway?) King Solomon was right, “There is nothing new under the sun”.