Proverbs: The Book of Practical Wisdom

Introduction

Date: 10th to 6th Centuries BC

Authors: Various mainly Solomon

Genre: Collection of wisdom literature especially concerning Practical wisdom for living. Often contrast the benefits of seeking wisdom and the pitfall’s of living a fools life

The Purpose of Proverbs

Proverbs 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:1–7 ESV

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

know Wisdom and Instruction

Wisdom the capacity to understand and so have skill in living implies adherence to a standard of living

Instruction the teaching of a principle or axiom for life

righteousness The act of doing right according to the standard of living

Justice correct moral application of the laws according to the standard - the punishment fits the crime and the reward fits the service

equity Everyone treated the same uniform application of the standard if it applies to you it applies to me

vs 4-5

teach them to grow guide them to maturity - emotional intellectual and spiritual

vs 7 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge

starting point is understanding powerful God and his right to rule therefore I should listen to him.

Early in life motivation to listen to father because I am bigger than you and will cause you physical harm. Not abuse but whooping’s hurt.

The Enticement of Sin

Proverbs 1:8-19

Proverbs 1:8–19 ESV

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.

vs 8 Don’t forget parents teaching they are for your protection and your benefit

vs 9 Do not succumb to peer pressure

vs 10-13 examples of sin

vs 14 the temptation

vs 15 the command

vs 16-19 the result of sin

The Call of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:20-33

Proverbs 1:20–33 ESV

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Wisdom personified - treated like a person

vs 20-21 trying to get people to listen

vs 22-25 The problem

vs 26-28 The Reaction of Wisdom

vs 29-30 The reason

Vs 32-33 The Result