Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

In August 1994, Ray Prichard’s devotional on Proverbs mentioned Bill Bennet’s new book.

It’s a book that he basically edited, an anthology of stories, short stories, poems, and sayings put together by him called The Book of Virtues.

It’s a great book.

It’s thick, over 700 pages long, and you wouldn’t think that a hard back book that long would be a best seller.

This week it’s on the Best Seller list.

... It has sold over 1,000,000 copies, at about $20-25 a copy.

What’s in the book?

Why is it a best seller?

Basically, it is a book of stories arranged around nine virtues or characteristics of a good or wise or virtuous person.

There are a whole bunch of stories about hard work, perseverance, courage, compassion, faith, and several others.

In those sections there are famous poems and short stories that illustrate what the virtue of perseverance, or compassion, or faith, or hard work looks like in real life.

It is interesting that out of all the things that are being sold today, this thick book should be a best seller.

We live in the world of Google searches and Youtube videos for problem solving.

(e.g., youtube video on how to safely jumpstart your riding mower).

But Google and Siri come up short when you ask them how to succeed in life.

(Siri does lead you to wiki hows and motivational videos!)

13  Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

14  for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

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Definition of a Proverb

Definition of a Proverb

A concise, memorable statement of truth learned over extended human experience.

(Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, p. 387)

In short, a proverb is a figure of speech in which the author uses comparison in order to present a pithy, poignant observation or instruction.

A proverb is a timeless truth in the form of a simple illustration that exposes a fundamental reality of life.

(Precept Austin)

Principles for Interpreting the Proverbs

Put simply, proverbs teach probable truth, not absolute truth.

By nature, proverbs are not absolute promises from God that guarantee the promised outcome if one follows them.

Rather, they point out patterns of conduct, that, if followed, give one the best chance of success, all things being equal.

(Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, p. 389)

Proverbs generally operate on the principle that consequences follow acts: you reap what you sow.

In a fallen world, however, God’s justice is sometimes delayed.

The “better … than” proverbs, in particular, show the disorder of the present world, the “exceptions to the rule.”

The righteous thus works and prays, like the psalmist, for the day when God will make all things right.

Van Leeuwen, R. C. (2003).

Proverbs, Book Of

Proverbs generally operate on the principle that consequences follow acts: you reap what you sow.

In a fallen world, however, God’s justice is sometimes delayed.

The “better … than” proverbs, in particular, show the disorder of the present world, the “exceptions to the rule.”

The righteous thus works and prays, like the psalmist, for the day when God will make all things right.

Van Leeuwen, R. C. (2003).

Proverbs, Book Of

It is helpful to understand the category or type of Proverb when seeking to understand the original meaning

Instruction: These are extended discourses that give instruction on various topics of life (avoiding the adulterous woman, honoring parents, developing a work ethic) Found in chapters 1-9

It is helpful to understand the category or type of Proverb when seeking to understand the original meaning

Admonition: short form of instruction and contains a positive or negative command followed by motive (e.g., )

Wisdom Speech: Wisdom is personified and seen as passionately crying out to the simple ()

Saying: a sentence involving two parallel lines, typically including contrast (e.g. ) This is the category found in chapters 10-22 and 25-29

Comparative saying: a subcategory of the saying type which makes use of a simile or metaphor to intensify the main point of the saying.

(e.g. )

Better than saying: another subcategory of the saying proverb which is introduced with the phrase, “better is … than …) (e.g. )

Numerical saying: a specific subcategory of the saying proverb which includes a numerical formula X / X+1.

(e.g.

6:16; 30:18)

Structure and Authorship

Chapters 1-9 a series of 13 practical discourses on wisdom given to a son by his parents

10:1- 22:16 Main section of Solomon’s concise proverbs, given in a one verse contrast form.

There are 375 proverbs selected from the 3,000 proverbs that King Solomon recorded (1 Kings 4:32)

22:17 - 24:34 Words of the Wise.

Additional discourses of wisdom presented in multiple verse format on specific issues

25 - 29 More of Solomon’s proverbs as edited by the men of King Hezekiah.

This section tends to group proverbs by subject

Chapter 30 contains the words of Augur

Chapter 31:1-9 contains the words of King Lemuel

31:10-31 is considered by many to be an anonymous acrostic poem that celebrates the godly woman

#1:1

The Purpose of the Book of Proverbs

The Purpose of the Book of Proverbs

Solomon so ordered this book that covenantal parents could teach it within the home, the place of education in ancient Israel.

It is addressed to the covenantal child about to enter maturity.

The seam between the generations is most vulnerable to being rent by outsiders at this juncture when pride and passion run at full tide.

The voices of both parents (1:8; 31:26) compete with the voices of apostate men and unfaithful wives.

Parents are armed by Solomon with all his rhetorical skill in robust man-to-man talk to outduel the temptation to easy money, offered by apostate men (1:10–19; 2:12–15), and to easy sex, offered by unfaithful women (2:16–19; 5:1–23; 6:20–35; 7:1–27)

Waltke, B. K. (1996).

Proverbs, Theology Of.

In Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., p. 650).

Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

The instructions in the book of Proverbs are intended to enable a person to be skillful in family relationships, community, and their relationship with God.

Bricker, D. P. (2016).

Proverbs, Book of, Critical Issues.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.