Peter Krol recently wrote (or actually re-wrote) an article called “Why ‘Proverbs Aren’t Promises’ is Misleading”. In the opening paragraph he admits that he is really directing his argument against those who intensify this admittedly ubiquitous argument beyond all reasonable bounds:
“Though it has roots in careful thinking about the genre of wisdom literature, this advice often goes too far and misses the point of the proverbs.”
Thus, contrary to the very clickable title, it would seem to be those who go too far with their interpretation and who intensify the principle beyond appropriate limits that are the target of his literary ire.
But wouldn’t that be true of every hermeneutical principle? A person can intensify the importance of context in such a way as to undermine the contemporary relevance of the doctrine being taught. Many things are true, that if overstated and left unrelated to other balancing principles, become distorted. Pointing out the danger of over intensification however, does not invalidate the original premise. It is undeniably true that Proverbs are not promises. Consider the following examples: