Introduction to Proverbs: Proverbs 1:1-7

Prayer: Zach

Give Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:1–7 KJV 1900

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; To perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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Purpose

The purpose of the book of Proverbs is to serve as a source of Wisdom for its readers. Their are three wisdom books; Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.

They each address a different need, topic, or purpose while simultaneously addressing the same thing by virtue of their root in the world of wisdom. Proverbs is different from the other two wisdom books and is even vastly different from every other writing of the scripture, in the sense that it does precious little to truly address God, Worship, or Praise.

This book is not intended to be religious in nature but is essentially presupposed to be a commentary on life. And yet, it further declares that Wisdom is of God, thereby furthering this idea that God’s Word is not meant to only govern the religious areas of our life but is really intended to serve as a guide and tool for everyday living.

True understanding of this scripture can be found in 1 Kings 2:7-14

1 Kings 3:7–14 KJV 1900

7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

It is in this passage of scripture we find that Solomon makes his request known to God in submission of his ignorance and inability.

Solomon asks for wisdom from God.

God, being gracious, gives him wisdom.

But God also rewards him for his faithfulness in asking for Wisdom.

It is important we understand that by asking God for wisdom, rather than power, money, women, or land Solomon has fulfilled the original commandment given in the Garden.

Solomon rejected the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which did not itself represent this but instead represented ignoring the command of God and making decisions within your own self.

And so Solomon, turned from his own will, and opted to act based upon the will and knowledge of God.

It is this very choice that lies before us as we read the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom is laid before us instead of prophecy.

Knowledge is laid before us instead of revelation.

And yet, God still gives these things which tells us that it does no good to be prophetic and live in revelation if you lack knowledge and wisdom.

And yet, another warning exists in the scriptures and echos throughout the words of the book of Proverbs and it serves as a subtext for Solomon’s life and written works.

We know that Solomon was wise.

So wise that people flocked to him from the world over.

So wise that God himself said none wiser has lived.

He is even so wise, that he has the knowledgeable authority to provide us the scriptures that lay before us, and others besides.

And yet his own life ended in tragedy and resulted in the collapse of his Kingdom.

This shows us that we need wisdom, but without clear guidance, direction, and relationship with God it is as nothing to have Wisdom.

Author(s)

The first chapters of the work clearly establish that this book is the work of King Solomon. However, it has been noted by scholars and theologians that the work actually spans across several authors, with the bulk being attributed to Solomon.

It is generally accepted that the book is authored as follows;

Chapter 1-9 are an introduction by later editors (likely prophets/ or scribes of King Hezekiah’s day)

Chapters 10-22 are the works of King Solomon (edited by prophets/ or scribes from Hezekiah and other’s time)

These chapters are also related to the Teaching Of Amen-Em-Ope, an Egyptian work that slightly predates the book of Proverbs by a few years.

Chapters 22-24 do not appear to be Solomon’s own writing but instead appear to be near transcriptions of the works written in the Teach of Amen-Em-Ope.

Some sections are actual copies translated to Hebrew, with a connection so tight it has actually contributed to the ability of historians and linguistics to understand ancient Hebrew and Egyptians.

Chapters 25-29 are written by a set of authors, who are not fully known but are likely the works of Solomon but with FAR heavier editing by the scribes/ or prophets of Hezekiah’s day than the initial section attributed to Solomon

Chapters 30 and the A clause of 31 are attributed to non-Israelite writers, most likely Arabs and appear to have the same literary and grammatical structure as the Book of Job.

This lends itself to the idea that this was an earlier writing transcribed from the time of Job and inserted as a part of this book.

The ending portion of Chapter 31 has no known origin.

My PERSONAL ideology is that it could be an allusion to the future writings of Solomon in the Song of Songs, which seems to discuss the relationship between a man and woman extensively… but that's just me.

Date Written

Noting the authorship, it is worthwhile noting that much of this book has been confirmed as written during the Pre-Exilic times of ancient Israel.

Based on rituals described, language used, standards touted, and other things the book has largely been attributed to pre-exile and while it cannot be stated for CERTAIN that it dates as far back as Solomon, it is generally accepted to be within likelihood.

Of course, the way it is written lets us know that entire sections at least date back to the Teachings of Amen-Em-Ope which is confirmed to date back to about 70 years before the days of Solomon.

It is also confirmed that the book of Proverbs has existed as a formal part of the Tanahk since the period of the latter prophets (Ezekiel, Malachi, Zechariah, and Haggai) and predates the Maccabean revolt. This places the book of Proverbs as an accepted component of scripture for the better part of 2700 years, at minimum.

Allow for Questions?

Write some of the questions down if possible.

Scripture Study

Proverbs 1:1 KJV 1900

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

At the outset, the book makes clear the authorship of the book and predetermines a given title that would remain with the book throughout its life.

This does however lend itself to the question what is a Proverb?

Proverb in this text, comes from the Hebrew word, māšāl, meaning;

An oracle- a discourse kind of prophecy.

A proverb- a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.

A taunt- aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing.

A parable- a short moral story with a symbolic meaning.

While this word is originally Hebrew in meaning, the closest and widest accepted Greek interpretation of it (bringing it forward into the New Testament) is the word parabolē

This is the word used by Jesus when he speaks in Parables.

With that understanding in the Old Testament lets see its most common usage.

50% of its use is translated to the word parable

45% of its use is translated to the word proverb.

This tells us that the book of Proverbs is meant to serve the same role as a parable of Jesus.

We are not really meant to take it at its face value but to peer through to understand the greater meaning behind it while never taking for granted the value of the original words.

This further illustrates the purpose of Proverbs being to point to God as the source and lover of Wisdom while letting us know the underlying thought exists that we should lean and depend on him, regardless of wisdom.

Proverbs 1:2 KJV 1900

2 To know wisdom and instruction; To perceive the words of understanding;

The meaning of this verse becomes clearer when we read it with verse one in the New Living Translation.

Proverbs 1:1–2 NLT

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. 2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.

Here, the role of these scriptures becomes more clear as we are to USE THEM as the basis for learning and growing in areas of wisdom and disciplines.

I love the B Clause of verse 2, in that you use the scripture to become more wise that you may get a better understanding of those who are wise.

In many ways, this is an author’s foreword that defines the terms of the book about to be read in the hopes of guiding the reader down the right path as they begin the process of reading.

Proverbs 1:3–4 NLT

3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.

This book is designed to teach you how to live but not just to live but to do so in a holy and righteous way.

Living well, while promoting what is right.

Living well, while acting in a manner that is just.

Living well, while treating others fairly.

Then to use all of these things to act in knowledge and with discernment in your actions.

This book is a guide to young people

It is a shortcut from Solomon to us, saying don’t go through the same things I did but learn from it and be a step ahead.

Proverbs 1:5–6 The Message

There’s something here also for seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn— Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

And no matter what you think you know, their is still something here for you to learn.

He sets the stage, inviting people to learn from all walks of life.

Proverbs 1:7 KJV 1900

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

This is the Godly truth of this book and is also the shame of Solomon’s life.

The first step you must take in the walk of acquiring wisdom is to learn to fear the Lord.

If fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and fools despite knowledge… that is to say that the fool rejects Jehovah God.

This tells me that anyone who gains enough Wisdom/or knowledge should be pointed to God as a derivative of their pursuit.

This drives me to ask.

Do we not look like God because we are lacking in our acquisition and pursuit of wisdom?

Or do we lack wisdom because we have given up our pursuit and possession of God in our lives?

What did we give up on first? God or his wisdom?

If we can answer that, we can explain what happened in the Garden and we should be able to stop ourselves from making the same mistakes.

Put another way, what truly made Adam different from Jesus?

Adam was in the Garden and Jesus was on a mountaintop and only one of them resisted the enemy.

Was it Christ’s wisdom or his Godness?

It is none of these things but it is a matter of the heart.

Provide Key Takeaways

Where do we see Solomon in these scriptures, from a strength and a weakness perspective?

This will allow us to see ourselves.

How is the wisdom of Proverbs relevant TODAY?

This is where you get beyond reading, beyond understanding, and get to application.

How does this scripture point to the Garden and point forward to Jesus?

Every scripture points to the cross and the cross points to us.

Allow for Final Questions?

Write some of the questions down if possible.

Individual Fulfillment- Not having to do something for someone else for accomplishment but how to feel accomplishment within your own self.

Anxiety- How to be true to yourself/ or your own emotions and trust in God?

Sustained in Isolation/ or Exile- How can you be fulfilled when you are alone?

What does forgiveness look like?- Does it mean neglecting yourself/ or your needs/ or protecting yourself? Is it possible to forgive someone and still take care of yourself?

Leading Well?- What does it look like to lead well?

What is submission?- How can you be submitted on the Earthly plane? Is it docile and compliant?

What is healthy marriage?

What is a healthy sex life?

How do you, or can you cope with decision fatigue?- Does God allow for us to take a reprieve from decision-making?

Prayer Requests

Sheree

Will not have a breakdown at work

Her children at youth ministry will feel supported

All of her staff will show up for work

Sustaining her family and strengthening family to deal with the feeling of being alone while preparing others to be strong when absence occurs.

Zach

Getting through his anxiety, mostly around making good decisions and creating balance

Figuring out his place in church/ or body of christ. Called to serve, but what is that.

Praying for family as both Grandmas have tested positive for COVID.

Gabbie

Coming off her anti depressants, and handling the roller coaster of emotions that comes with it. Wants to manage her emotions without blunting them.

Managing relationships to maximize them while being true to herself.

Dealing with family changes and things.

Finding herself in her relationship with God and the Kingdom.

Clarity on her purpose and calling within the Church of the living God.

Roger

Helping me come to terms with who I am and what that means.

I feel like a prophet in his home country all the time.

Prayer: Roger