Quote:
It's also important to remember that Proverbs is a book of wisdom sayings, and many statements are figurative, not meant to be taken literally.
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I think this is an important point to remember. Yet, it's a point that some of us who are naturally conservative about the Bible and theology sometimes here people using to "dismiss" the importance of something.
"You can't take it literally. . ."
But it is very true, especially in the Wisdom literature. (As conservative Bible teachers are also quick to point out!)
One of the things I find funny is that those who want the rod verses in Proverbs 23 to be taken "literally" to mean "spank," easily read the
first two verses of that chapter as figurative. I mean, I haven't heard of anyone advocating throat-slitting for gluttony lately. . .