Old Testament Survey: The Book of Proverbs

Old Testament Survey: The Book of Proverbs “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” {Proverbs 1:7}

Background • Collection of “wise sayings” by several men—Solomon major contributor • Scribes put the collection together (25:1) • Only part of the 3,000 proverbs Solomon authored • Moral instruction to the young • The book covers a wide range of subjects • Book read like a dictionary— subject changes frequently

Studying the Book • Written in the style of Hebrew poetry • Emphasis on “parallelism” • Largely “antithetical” • Verses with opposite thought in each line • “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” (12:4) • “A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” (10:1)

Studying the Book • Sometimes the parallelism is “synonymous” • Verses with thought is repeated in both lines • “The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.” (14:19) • “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.” (4:13)

Studying the Book • Sometimes the parallelism is “synthetic” • Verses in which line B supplements or completes the thought of line A • “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (4:23) • “My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding.” (5:1)

WISDOM • Wisdom begins, not in good, secular education, but in “the fear of the Lord.” • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (3:5,6)

WISDOM • Wisdom begins, not in good, secular education, but in “the fear of the Lord.” • Occurs 14 times in the book • “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (4:7) • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (9:10)

Choice Selection Concerning Wisdom • Call of Wisdom • “Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words.” (1:20,21) • Source of wisdom • “For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.” {2:6,7}

Choice Selection Concerning Wisdom • Preciousness of wisdom • “She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.” (3:15,16) • Wisdom is the principal thing • “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.” {4:7,8}

Choice Selection Concerning Wisdom • The personification of wisdom • “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” (8:12,13) • The feast of wisdom • “Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.” {9:1,2}

Main Divisions of the Book • Introduction • The practical purpose of Proverbs (1:1-6) • Part I • Proverbs of Solomon concerning the value and attainment of wisdom (1:7—9:18) • Part II • Proverbs of Solomon on practical morality (10:1—22:16)

Main Divisions of the Book • Part III • Proverbs of the wise, admonitions to get wisdom and follow it. (22:17—24:34) • Part IV • Proverbs of Solomon selected by men of Hezekiah. The practice of wisdom, contrast between the righteous and the wicked (25—29) • Part V • Words of Agur and King Lemuel. Lessons concerning God, men, nature and praises of a virtuous woman (30—31)

Personal Duties • We have the same duties taught in the New Testament as parts of our Christian manner of life. • Duty to God • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (1:7) • Fear of the Lord is respect and reverence that leads to trust and obedience.

Personal Duties • We have the same duties taught in the New Testament as parts of our Christian manner of life. • Duty to Self • “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.” (15:33) • One must avoid pride and develop humility. Must resist things deprive one of salvation.

Personal Duties • We have the same duties taught in the New Testament as parts of our Christian manner of life. • Duty to our neighbors • “He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” (14:21) • One’s duty to his neighbor includes expressing sympathy and cheer. Helping in time of need.

Personal Duties • We have the same duties taught in the New Testament as parts of our Christian manner of life. • Family duties • “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (22:6) • One’s duty to his family—parents, spouse and children.

Great Lessons From Proverbs • One of the main subjects in Proverbs is the contrast between the wise and foolish. Righteous and unrighteous—obedient and disobedient… • “For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.” (8:35,36)

The Contrast in Proverbs • In Proverbs we see “both sides” of an issue. One is positive and the other is negative. Men must choose… • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (1:7) • “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.” (12:15)

The Contrast in Proverbs • In Proverbs we see “both sides” of an issue. One is positive and the other is negative. Men must choose… • “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” (28:26) • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.” (3:5)

The Contrast in Proverbs • In Proverbs we see “both sides” of an issue. One is positive and the other is negative. Men must choose… • “A fool's wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.” (12:16) • “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (16:32)

The Way of Righteousness • Righteousness can be best defined as obeying God’s commands. • “I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice.” (8:20) • “In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.” (12:28)

The Wicked and Righteous • The upright and the wicked are contrasted throughout Proverbs… • “Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul.” (2:9,10) • “The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.” (11:5)

Reward of Righteousness • Many rewards are made by God for the ones who choose righteousness… • “The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.” (12:7) • “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves him who follows righteousness.” (15:9)

Attitudes Are Important • God is supremely interested in out thoughts and attitudes. Disposition of the heart a chief requirement… • “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” (23:7) • “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (26:12)

Fear of the Lord • The importance of fearing God is the central message and most valuable lesson of the Proverbs. • “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.” (14:26) • “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day.” (23:17)

Speech—Use of the Tongue • The use of the tongue is a prominent theme of Proverbs. • “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.” (25:11) • “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (15:1) • “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (16:24)

Speech—Speech of Wise and Fools • In Proverbs the speech between the wise and fools are contrasted. Again men must choose... • “Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” (10:14) • “The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.” (18:4) • “A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.” (18:6,7)

Old Testament Survey: The Book of Proverbs