Proverbs— Wisdom for Living
07.12.22
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
This book obviously takes its title from its content. The Hebrew word translated ‘proverb’ means ‘parallel, similar or comparative.’ A proverb is thus a short saying that conveys truth in a pointed way. “Birds of a feather flock together,” would be a proverb in our vernacular.
The Book of Proverbs is intended to do for our daily life what the Book of Psalms is intended to do for our devotional life.
Scripture records that Solomon wrote 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. Solomon wrote the bulk of the chapters [1-29]. The last two chapters [30, 31] were written by two other men (Agur and Lemuel) of which we know very little. Individual proverbs here and there may have been authored by various men, including King Hezekiah (25:1).
Solomon was the son of David, and the third king of Israel. He was given wisdom by his own choice at the outset of his reign [1 Kings 3]. The proverbs were written for the most part to the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, to prepare him for life and kingship. (1:8, 10; 2:1; 3:1)
As we consider the three books written by Solomon, it is likely that he wrote them at different periods of his life: The Song of Solomon in his early years, Proverbs in his middle years, and Ecclesiastes later in his life.
As we focus on the key verse noted at the outset, we need to understand what is meant by ‘the fear of the LORD.’ It primarily means to stand in awe of His holy attributes. He is Jehovah, a personal God that loves us and that we can learn to know, love and obey. The reverse of the coin in fearing God is to hate evil. Wisdom is defined as ‘the skillful use of knowledge,’ or ‘putting knowledge into practice.’
The theme of Proverbs is ‘wisdom for living.’ It demonstrates that godliness is intensely practical. No other book of God’s Word is more practical in terms of daily living. Sadly, Solomon was more of a guidepost than an example. His life ended in tragedy. Unfortunately, his son Rehoboam followed his dad’s example rather than his counsel.
The first nine and the last two chapters of the book are easy to outline as they follow a pattern of thought. For example, chapters 5-7 address the contrast between a life of morality and one of immorality. Chapter 31 gives a description of the virtuous woman.
The other chapters, 10-29, form a collection of individual proverbs. There are many topics covered, including: anger, folly and wisdom, the proper use of money, and the tongue.
The proverbs are meant to be read lingeringly, ponderingly, meditatively.
The Lord Jesus Christ is primarily seen in chapter 8. Here wisdom is personified and seen in its perfection. In this way it pictures the Lord. He is available to all who will receive Him (1-6). He is most righteous and moral (7-9). He is One with the Father (22-31). He is the only source of biological and spiritual life (32-36).
This wisdom pictured there became the incarnate Christ. He is made unto us “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) He came to bear your sin and mine on His body on the cross. We can have life eternal if we will place our trust in Him alone.