The Book of Proverbs:

Transcription

1 The Book of Proverbs: The Holy Bible It is also referred to as God s Word, or the Holy Scriptures. This book is made up by 66 books penned by various authors over a period of approx years, although written by men; God is the ultimate author (2 Tim.3v16-17, 2 Pet.1v20-21). The Book of Proverbs - Title The Hebrew title is translated as the Proverbs of Solomon. The Book of Proverbs (Summary) A proverb is: a): a brief saying instead of many words b): a short expression drawn from long experience The Book of Proverbs is exactly what the name implies; a collection of wise sayings and longer, connected poems. It is a collection of sayings gathered from different places and produced over long periods of time. In general, these sayings represent wisdom drawn from practical experience and are either statements that provoke further thought or admonitions to behave in particular ways. Summarising the Book of Proverbs is a bit difficult, for unlike many other books of Scripture, there is no particular plot or storyline; neither are there any major characters. It is wisdom that takes centre stage - divine wisdom that transcends the whole of history, peoples, and cultures. Even a quick reading of this magnificent treasury reveals the pithy sayings of the wise King Solomon as being relevant today as they were some three thousand years ago. In the New Testament there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book or allusions to it. The Division of Proverbs The book can be divided into 8 sections: A. Prologue (1v1-7) B. Introduction: Addresses concerning wisdom (1v8 9v18) C. Miscellaneous proverbs of Solomon (10v1 22v16) D. Words of wise men, other than Solomon (22v17 24v22) E. More words of the wise (24v23-34) F. More miscellaneous proverbs of Solomon, collected by Hezekiah s men (chapters 25-29) G. The words of Agur (chapter 30) H. The words of King Lemuel (31v1-9) The first collection, found in Chapters 1 9, consists of a series of instructions given by a father to his son. Solomon explains the choice between wise behaviour and foolish behaviour. The purpose of the instruction is to give a manual for living, for learning what s right and just and fair; to teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality (The Message v4).

2 The proverbs in the second group, found in Chapters and titled Proverbs of Solomon, are usually written in couplet form and are quite different from the ones included in the first section. Because this collection probably constituted the original core of the book, the first nine chapters serve as an introduction to the entire collection and the remaining sections as appendices. The short sections found in Chapters bear the titles Sayings of the Wise and Further Sayings of the Wise. Chapters begin, These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah. Chapter 3-31 contain two groups of sayings called Sayings of Agur and Sayings of King Lemuel. Because both Agur and Lemuel have Arabic rather than Jewish names, the inclusion of their proverbs in the final collection indicates a recognition on the part of the editors that genuine wisdom can be obtained through non-hebraic sources. The Book of Proverbs closes with a significant poem written in praise of a worthy wife. Date and Author of the Book a): Author: The first verse is the title of the book only, not a biographical sketch of the authors. It makes no attempt to identify all the contributors to the collection of proverbs. It is typical of Hebrew literature to name the work after its most eminent contributor - in this case, Solomon, yet like the book of Psalms, it has a number of authors. The bulk of the proverbs (375) are attributed to King Solomon, as the principal writer of Proverbs, his name appears in 1v1, 10v1, and 25v1. Solomon is said to have written three thousand proverbs and 1000 songs, and those contained in this book may be a selection from these (1 Kings 4v29-32). We may also presume Solomon collected and edited proverbs other than his own (Ecc.12v9 says, Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs ). Other contributors to the book are identified as: 1. Wise men (plural, 22v17; 24v23) 2. Agur (30v1-33) 3. King Lemuel (31v1-9). There is no evidence for the claim by some that Lemuel is another name for Solomon. b): Date of Writing: Although most of the proverbs themselves date to Solomon according to 25v1, the book itself was put together either during or after the time of Hezekiah (c. 700 B.C.). Solomon s proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. During his reign as king, the nation of Israel reached its pinnacle spiritually, politically, culturally, and economically. As Israel s reputation soared, so did King Solomon s. Foreign dignitaries from the far reaches of the known world travelled great distances to hear the wise monarch speak (1 Kings 4v34). Purpose of Writing When David was an old man he gave his son Solomon some very important advice (1 Chron.28v9): 1) KNOW THE LORD 2) SERVE THE LORD

3 3) SEEK THE LORD Proverbs seem to be Solomon s attempt at following this advice! In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon s attention: God, godliness and holy living, personal conduct and character, relationships, family life, bringing up children and discipline, politics, business and ambition, wealth and debt, alcohol, revenge, anger and speech, One of the recurring themes of the book is the fear of the Lord there are about 20 references! Knowledge is nothing more than an accumulation of raw facts, but wisdom is the ability to see people, events, and situations as God sees them. The key verses of Proverbs are Proverbs 1v5: Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. Proverbs 1v7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge Proverbs 4v5: Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Proverbs 8v13-14: To fear the LORD is to hate evil. Proverbs 16v25: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Seeing Jesus in Proverbs Of course in a book written by Solomon it could not be said that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and died upon the cross, but if the Holy Spirit wished to make known something of the personal history of Christ before his coming, how could he have done so in plainer terms than those in 8v1-36? (Many Bible students regard this speech of wisdom as the Messiah himself speaking. The Lord Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God 1 Cor.1v30). In that speech there are three things that point us to Christ: (1) The Father well pleased with his Beloved, I was daily his delight (2) The Son delighting in the Father s presence, rejoicing always before him (3) The Son looking with prospective delight to the scene and subjects of his redemptive work, rejoicing in his inhabited world; and my delights were with the sons of men. Practical Application: There is an undeniable practicality found in this book, for sound and sensible answers to all manner of complex difficulties are found within its thirty-one chapters. Certainly, Proverbs is the greatest how-to book ever written and those who have the good sense to take Solomon s lessons to heart will quickly discover godliness and contentment. It is a sign to us that the Bible does not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in the most forcible manner the value of intelligence and discretion and of a good education.

4 The Proverbs express the conviction that loyalty to the LORD is extremely important. The recurring promise of the Book of Proverbs is that those who choose wisdom and follow God will be blessed in numerous ways: With long life (9v11); Prosperity (2v20-22); Joy (3v13-18); and The goodness of God (12v21). Those who reject him, on the other hand: Suffer shame and death (3v35; 10v21). Don t be a fool be wise and live by God s standards. Foolish living is seen as rejecting Gods ways and living for self. Wisdom is the ultimate goal which we should seek. Watch your words Proverbs has a lot to say about the right use of speech. Words have the potential for doing great good or great harm. Wise words good as they are, are no substitute for good actions. Take family life seriously God does! Stability in the home is good for society. Work hard don t be lazy, as laziness leads to shame! Choose your friends carefully a good friend is loyal and unfailing, and should be highly prized. Proverbs and Culture: Popular Culture Why not invest your savings in something that has potential for a very large gain? Buy lottery tickets If I take that second job, I ll have enough money to buy a sports car and a boat If only I could become rich, then all my problems would be solved There s nothing wrong with being very ambitious and eager to become wealthy. That s what made this nation great. If you are going to give, give to political parties or to the poor, rather than to religious organisations The government provides social security and I pay a lot of taxes, so why should I also help those in need? Proverbs (NKJV) Theme: Money 28v20: A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 23v4-5: Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 30v8-9: Give me neither poverty nor riches - Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, Who is the LORD? Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God. 15v16-17: All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble. 3v9-10: Honour the LORD with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 3v27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Theme: Neighbours and Enemies If someone has wronged you, sue them. 25v8-10: Do not go hastily to court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbour has put you to shame? Debate

5 Or if you see some way to sue and win, even if they haven t intentionally wronged you, go for it! Get even! Despise your enemies your case with your neighbour, and do not disclose the secret to another; lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined. 25v21-22: If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Theme: The Tongue Impress people by boasting about your 27v1: Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know future plans what a day may bring forth. Go ahead and spread gossip. People are 17v9: He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who always eager to hear it repeats a matter separates friends. Theme: Friends Honour diversity. Enrich your life by 12v26: The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for making friends with people who have the way of the wicked leads them astray. very different values than you do Don t upset your friend by confronting them about what needs to change in their life. Just mind your own business Be a lone ranger. Never trust anyone. Don t let your guard down 27v6: Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 27v17: As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Theme: Work Ethic To survive in this cut-throat world you have to cut corners 13v11: Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labour will increase. Just do enough to get by. There s no point in doing more 22v29: Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings. I wish my life was as glamorous and exciting as the TV and film stars 12v11: He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. Live for parties and excitement! 21v17: He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. Theme: Alcohol Drinking wine all the time is a 23v29-33: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has sophisticated thing to do. Besides, it s good for your health and happiness contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Theme: Children I am too busy working two jobs to have any time to train my children. Besides, teachers are paid to do that 22v6: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Theme: Religion Ultimately, you must only listen to the voice coming from deep within yourself 16v25: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Look within yourself for guidance, or seek it from self help books, astrology, mediums or gurus 3v5-6: 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. Science and personal experience are the only reliable sources of knowledge 1v7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. When trouble comes, it s just a 3v11-12: Do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor

6 coincidence. Ugly stuff happens all the time. Life is one long series of accidents Religion is a crutch for weak people detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. 22v4: By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honour and life. These are just some of the ways where the perspective of the Bible is radically different from what our culture today would have us believe. God authored the Bible to help us live fulfilling lives by sparing us from the destructiveness of our society s values. To reject God is to choose folly over wisdom and separates us from God, his Word, his wisdom and his blessings. To reject God is to choose folly over wisdom and separates us from God, his Word, his wisdom and his blessings. Personal Notes: