STUDYING THE BOOK

Introduction and summary of
Proverbs

The Bible's twentieth book, Proverbs follows Psalms in order and popularity among Old Testament writings, often appearing with it in printed New Testaments. With Job and Ecclesiastes, Proverbs is a book of wisdom, a common literary form in the ancient Near East. Hebrew wisdom differs from the others by emphasizing trust in Yahweh and obedience to Him. Proverbs gets its name from the pithy sayings of Solomon that comprise much of it (1:1; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1; 1 Kings 4:32). These adages impart wisdom, instruction, knowledge, understanding, judgment, prudence, counsel, and discretion (1:2-6) especially to the young, that they might enjoy a happy life here and a reward in the life to come.

Wisdom is the ability to make right choices based upon likely results. Foolishness (i.e., simplicity) is a refusal to receive counsel or to change behavior when aware of its negative result
(22:3; 27:12).

Key verse: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (1:7; 9:10; 15:33).

Personification: Often the writer refers to wisdom in personal terms. Wisdom is "she" who speaks, who warns the foolish, and who has the last laugh (1:20-33). She stands in public places crying out (8:1-11). She sets up rulers (8:12-21). Wisdom was with God in the beginning (8:22-36). She builds her house (9:1-6).

How to become wise

• Begin by fearing the Lord (1:7; 9:10).
• Hear the instruction of godly parents (1:8, 9).
• Do not follow evil men (1:10-19; 2:10-22).
• Seek and diligently search God's Word as your highest treasure (2:1-9).

Chapters 1-9 and 30-31 address topics in paragraphs: value of wisdom (3:13ff; 4:1ff), things God hates (6:16-19), a virtuous woman (31:10ff), etc.

In chapters 10-29, the proverbs are arranged randomly, with little relation between one verse and the next. Each proverb is a two-part sentence in which the second half either parallels and amplifies the first or states its opposite. In the latter case, the word but often connects a moral virtue with a contrary vice. Proverbs differ from laws in that they offer observations and general rules about how life usually works and are not intended as absolute commands.

What wisdom teaches about

• marriage, sexual morality (5:15-20; 6:24-35; 7:4-27; 9:13-18; 12:4; 14:1; 18:22; 19:13, 14; 21:9, 19; 25:24; 27:15)
• words, the tongue (10:18, 19; 12:17-19, 22; 13:2; 15:1; 16:24; 17:7, 28; 18:20, 21; 25:11; 26:18-28; 27:2; 29:11, 20)
• rich, poor, wealth, greed (3:9, 10; 10:15; 11:4, 24-28; 13:7, 11; 14:20-24; 15:16, 17, 27; 16:8; 17:1, 5; 19:1, 4, 6, 17; 20:14, 21; 21:13, 17, 26; 22:1, 7, 22, 23; 23:4, 5, 21; 28:6, 8, 20, 27; 29:7)
• parents, children (10:1, 5; 13:1, 24; 15:5, 20; 17:21, 25; 19:13, 26; 20:7; 22:6, 15; 23:13-25; 28:7, 24; 29:15, 17)
• friends, neighbors, enemies (3:27-30; 6:1-5; 11:9, 15; 14:20; 16:7, 28, 29; 17:9, 18; 18:24; 19:4-7; 22:24-27; 24:17, 18, 28; 25:17, 21, 28; 27:1-10, 14; 28:23)
• diligence, laziness (6:6-11; 10:4; 12:24, 27; 14:23; 18:9; 19:15; 20:4, 13; 21:25; 22:13; 23:21; 24:30-34; 26:13-16; 28:19)
• honest dealings (11:1; 13:11; 16:11; 20:10, 14; 21:6; 29:27)
• God, salvation, faith. It is common to think of Proverbs as mostly concerned with faith in shoe leather - not very "spiritual." But note what is written about the Lord (3:5, 6; 10:22; 15:3; 16:4; 19:21; 21:3, 30; 22:2; 24:12; 26:10; 30:4) and His salvation (10:23-30; 11:5-31; 12:2, 3, 28; 13:9, 21; 14:11, 26, 27, 32; 15:11, 24; 16:6, 20; 18:10; 19:23; 20:9, 22; 21:21; 22:19; 23:17; 24:16, 20; 28:13, 18, 25; 30:5).

Attitude is everything: Proverbs calls it our spirit, or heart (4:23; 18:14; 20:27). We should be

• peaceable, not contentious (17:14; 18:1; 20:3; 22:10; 25:8; 26:17, 21)
• humble, not haughty (11:2; 15:25; 16:5, 18, 19; 18:12; 20:6; 21:4; 25:6, 7, 27; 26:12; 29:23)
• joyful, not depressed (12:25; 13:12, 19; 14:10, 13; 15:13, 15, 30; 17:22; 18:14; 25:20)
• yielding, not stubborn (16:2; 18:19; 19:21; 21:2; 29:1)
• merciful, not vengeful (11:17; 19:11)
• calm, not angry (14:17, 29, 30; 15:18; 16:32; 19:19; 21:24; 22:24; 27:4; 29:22)

Proverbs in a sentence: Trust in God, teachability, self-control, hard work, generosity, a good attitude: These are the marks of a wise person.