PROVERBS

Why study the Book of Proverbs?

In western countries we are richer on average than we have ever been, more healthy and more educated than we have ever been yet so many people make a train wreck of their lives… why is that? Many things we do have but one thing that so many lack is wisdom: the skill of living.

The Book of Proverbs addresses that need. Proverbs includes practical and sound advice for taking wise choices for this life and the next. Proverbs has a key place in the poetry section of the Old Testament and there are over 20 quotations in New Testament.

 

1. What is a Proverb? Title in Hebrew is: mishle from mashal = to be like, to resemble. In order to understand one thing it is a good compare or contrast it with another. For example ‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver’ (chapter 25:11)  ‘As a door turns on its hinges so does the lazy man on his bed’ (chapter 26:14). Schools and Universities all over the world use the same method and it is a great way to learn.

 

1. Who wrote Proverbs? Solomon son of David, King in Jerusalem. His name related to the Jewish word shalom= peace, well being, wholeness. Certainly Solomon’s reign was a time of peace and prosperity for his people Israel. He built the Temple, consolidated the kingdom and enriched his people: Gold was commonplace and silver was considered of little worth in the days of Solomon (1 Kings 10:21)

 

1. Where did Solomon get his wisdom from? See 1 Kings 3:3-15. Directly from God making him the wisest man who has ever lived.  As you read through the book of Proverbs realise that you are learning from one of the wisest men who has ever walked on earth

 

Why did Solomon write? All teachers are familiar with lesson plans and learning objectives. Solomon makes his purposes clear in the opening verses chapter 1:2-5. He uses 10 different words: wisdom, instruction, understanding (v2) the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgement equity (v3), subtilty, knowledge and discretion (v4), each word a different aspect of his subject. All these things you will gain as you study this book.

 

Today students go to Universities all over the world. They have worked hard to gain qualifications, the fees can be costly, and there is no guarantee of success nor of a job in their chosen subject… Contrast that situation with the book of Proverbs: you do not need any qualifications to join this course. There are no fees to pay or loans to take out. Your tutor is the wisest and the most qualified person to teach you, trained by God Himself. Most significantly, you are guaranteed success. You will graduate with the most valuable diploma of all by attending Solomon’s School: wisdom. The alumni from this School are amongst the greatest men and women who have ever lived… who wouldn’t want to go to a University like this?  ‘A wise man will hear and will increase learning and will attain wise counsels’ (chapter 1:5)

 

That’s why you should study the Book of Proverbs.

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Key verse - Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.