Wisdom Equals

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Proverbs 10:1 CSB

Solomon’s proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.

INTRO—Through the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon’s emphasis has been to make the case for wisdom over folly. Yes, there has been evidence given as to what living by wisdom looks like, but now in the remaining chapters…these collections of Proverbs, the emphasis switches to the evidence and impact of wisdom with occasional reminders of the case that a God-honoring life is a life of wisdom, not folly.

Also, over these chapters 10-24; 24-29 (especially), we are going to find various reasons to see unity in various sections amid what looks, at times, like randomly placed proverbial statements.

Basic CHARACTER (10.1-5)

These verses introduce the transition (and thus the theme over so much of the rest of the book).

10.1 = Wise better than Fool. [thematic inclusio: wise/foolish & prudent/disgraceful]

This basic character: The Wise are Prudent/Diligent.

No ‘shortcuts.’ (10.2-3)

No ‘idleness.’ (10.4-5)

Watch YOUR MOUTH (10.6-11)

10.6, 11 = “the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” [inclusio containing ABAB parallels]…SO, “Watch. Your. Mouth!”

[inclusio containing ABAB parallels]…SO, “Watch. Your. Mouth!”

Wisdom = Prudent speech; integrity (no lying…; no perverse words…; no flattery...)

The Fate of the Wise (10.7, 9)

The Fate of the Chatterer [Destroyed] (10.8, 10)

Bad MOUTH BACKFIRES (10.12-18)

10.12, 18 = ‘Hater/Fool stirs up conflict/slanders’ [thematic inclusio containing two proverb pairs (10.13-14, 15-16) and a proverbial maxim]

Wisdom = able to teach & teachable (10.17)

When as a fool you stir up hatred through slander…is there any reason to wonder why you receive a backlash or are rejected in shame.

Unrighteousness IRRITATES (10.19-32)

The structure here is AMAZING! [Chiastic/inverted parallel...; A-10.19-21, B-10.22-25, C-10.26, B’-10.27-30, A’-10.31-32]

Wisdom = upset by unrighteousness; intolerant of foolishness (10.26)

A & A’: Measured use of words. Controlled tongue…WISE / FOOL…Perverse words. profuse babbling (chattering?)

B & B’: Security—sustained (taken care of), stabilized (unmoved, unshaken), sure (hope-filled, unworried)…WISE / FOOL…shame, shaken, removed, destroyed.

SO, WISDOM EQUALS RIGHT WORDS!

prov 10.

Proverbs 10:26 CSB

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.