o "The more you mark it, the more it marks you."

o "Bible study is not optional in the Christian life. It is both the obligation and the privilege of all believers. If you are not involved in regular, systematic Bible study, you are missing one of the primary means God uses to bring us to maturity (1 Peter 2:2)."


Quick Run-Down
Wisdom! What the book of Proverbs is all about. Just like the Gospel, wisdom is vast and we learn that in this book. The book is a collection of moral and religious teachings in the form of sayings and proverbs. Much of it has to do with practical, everyday concerns hinging on the reminder that “To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord.” The sayings further deal with matters not only of religious morality, but also of common sense and good manners. Its many short sayings reveal the insights of ancient Israelite teachings about what a wise person will do in certain situations.
The piths of the Proverbs are incredibly practical and readily applicable, dealing with family relations, others, business dealings all the way to addressing social etiquette and relationships. Self-control is of equal importance – a remedy especially applicable in our time. Much is said about the qualities of humility, patience, respect for the poor, and loyalty to friends.

Title
            The title in the Hebrew Bible is “The Proverbs of Solomon” (1:1), as also in the Greek Septuagint (LXX). Proverbs pulls together the most important 513 of the over 3,000 proverbs pondered by Solomon (1Ki 4:32; Ecc 12:9), along with some proverbs of others whom Solomon likely influenced. The word “proverb” means “to be like,” thus Proverbs is a book of comparisons between common, concrete images and life’s most profound truths. Proverbs are simple, moral statements (or illustrations) that highlight and teach fundamental realities about life. Solomon sought God’s wisdom (2Ch 1:8-12) and offered “pithy sayings” designed to make men contemplate 1) the fear of God and 2) living by His wisdom (1:7; 9:10). The sum of this wisdom is personified in the Lord Jesus Christ (1Co 1:30).

Author and Date
            The phrase “Proverbs of Solomon” is more a title than an absolute statement of authorship (1:1). While King Solomon, who ruled Israel from 971-931 B.C. and was granted great wisdom by God (see 1Ki 4:29-34), is the author of the didactic section (chaps. 1-9) and the proverbs of 10:1-22:16, he is likely only the compiler of the “sayings of the wise” in 22:17-24:34, which are of an uncertain date before Solomon’s reign. The collection in chaps. 25-29 was originally composed by Solomon (25:1) but copied and included later by Judah’s king Hezekiah (ca. 715-686 B.C.). Chapter 30 reflects the words of Agur and chap. 31 the words of Lemuel, who perhaps was Solomon. Proverbs was not assembled in its final form until Hezekiah’s day or after. Solomon authored his proverbs before his heart was turned away from God (1Ki 11:1-11), since the book reveals a godly perspective and is addressed to the “naïve” and “young” that need to learn and learn the fear of God. Solomon also wrote Psalms 72 and 127, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

Background and Setting
            The book reflects a 3-fold setting as: 1) general wisdom literature; 2) insights from the royal court; and 3) instruction offered in the tender relationship of a father and mother with their children, all designed to produce meditation on God. Since Proverbs is Wisdom literature, by nature it is sometimes difficult to understand (1:6). Wisdom literature is part of the whole of the OT truth; the Priest gave the Law, the Prophet gave a Word from the Lord, and the Sage (or wise man) gave his wise Counsel (Jer 18:18; Eze 7:26). In Proverbs, Solomon the Sage gives insight into the “knotty” issues of life (1:6), which are not directly addressed in the Law or the Prophets. Though it is practical, Proverbs is not superficial or external because it contains moral and ethical elements stressing upright living, which flow out of a right relationship with God. In 4:1-4, Solomon connected 3 generations as he entrusted to his son Rehoboam what he learned at the feet of David and Bathsheba. Proverbs is both a pattern for the tender impartation of truth from generation to generation, as well as a vast resource for the content of the truth to be imparted. Proverbs contains the principles and applications of Scripture, which the godly characters of the Bible illustrate in their lives.

Historical and Theological Themes
            Solomon came to the throne with great promise, privilege, and opportunity. God had granted his request for understanding (1Ki 3:9-12; 2Ch 10 and 12), and his wisdom exceeded all others (1Ki 4:29-31). However, the shocking reality is that he failed to live out the truth that he knew and even taught his son Rehoboam (1Ki 11:1,4,6,7-11), who subsequently rejected his father’s teaching (1Ki 12:6-11).
            Proverbs contains a gold mine of biblical theology, reflecting themes of Scripture brought to the level of practical righteousness (1:3), by addressing man’s ethical choices, calling into question how he thinks, lives, and manages his daily life in light of divine truth. More specifically, Proverbs calls man to live as the Creator intended him to live when He made man (Ps 90:1,2,12).
            The recurring promise of Proverbs is that generally the wise (the righteous obey God) live longer (9:11), prosper (2:20-22), experience joy (3:13-18) and the goodness of God temporally (12:21), while fools suffer shame (3:35) and death (10:21). On the other hand, it must be remembered that this general principle is balanced by the reality that the wicked sometimes prosper (Ps 73:3,12), though only temporarily (Ps 73:17-19). Job illustrates that there are occasions when the godly wise are struck with disaster and suffering.
            There are a number of important themes addressed in Proverbs, which are offered in random order and address different topics, so that it is helpful to study the proverbs thematically as illustrated.

            I.  Man’s Relationship to God
                        A.  His Trust (Pr 22:19)
                        B.  His Humility (Pr 3:34)
                        C.  His Fear of God (Pr 1:7)
                        D.  His Righteousness (Pr 10:25)
                        E.  His Sin (Pr 28:13)
                        F.  His Obedience (Pr 6:23)
                        G.  Facing Reward (Pr 12:28)
                        H.  Facing Tests (Pr 17:23)
                        I.   Facing Blessing (Pr 10:22)
                        J.  Facing Death (Pr 15:11)
            II.  Man’s Relationship to Himself
                        A.  His Character (Pr 20:11)
                        B.  His Wisdom (Pr 1:5)
                        C.  His Foolishness (Pr 26:10,11)
                        D.  His Speech (Pr 18:21)
                        E.  His Self Control (Pr 6:9-11)
                        F.  His Kindness (Pr 3:3)
                        G.  His Wealth (Pr 11:4)
                        H.  His Pride (Pr 27:1)
                        I.  His Anger (Pr 29:11)
                        J.  His Laziness (Pr 13:4)
            III.  Man’s Relationship to Others
                        A.  His Love (Pr 8:17)
                        B.  His Friends (Pr 17:17)
                        C.  His Enemies (Pr 16:7)
                        D.  His Truthfulness (Pr 23:23)
                        E.  His Gossip (Pr 20:19)
                        F.  As a Father (Pr 20:7; 31:2-9)
                        G.  As a Mother (Pr 31:10-31)
                        H.  As Children (Pr 3:1-3)
                        I.  In Educating Children (Pr 4:1-4)
                        J.  In Disciplining Children (Pr 22:6)

            The two major themes, interwoven and overlapping throughout Proverbs are wisdom and folly. Wisdom, which includes knowledge, understanding, instruction, discretion, and obedience, is built on the fear of the Lord and the Word of God. Folly is everything opposite to wisdom.

Interpretive Challenges
            The first challenge is the generally illusive nature of Wisdom literature itself. Like the parables, the intended truths are often veiled from understanding if given only a cursory glance, and thus must be pondered in the heart (1:6; 2:1-4; 4:4-9).
            Another challenge is the extensive use of parallelism, which is the placing of truths side by side so that the second line expands, completes, defines, emphasizes, or reaches the logical conclusion, the ultimate end, or, in some cases, the contrasting point of view. Often the actual parallel is only implied. For example, 12:13 contains an unstated, but clearly implied parallel, in that the righteous one comes through trouble because of his virtuous speech (cf. 28:7). In interpreting the Proverbs, one must: 1) determine the parallelism and often complete what is assumed and not stated by the author; 2) identify the figures of speech and rephrase the thought without those figures; 3) summarize the lesson or principle of the proverb in a few words; 4) describe the behavior that is taught; and 5) find examples inside Scripture.
            Challenges are also found in the various contexts of Proverbs, all of which affect interpretation and understanding. First, there is the setting in which they are spoken; this is largely the context of the young men in the royal court of the king. Second, there is the setting of the book as a whole and how its teachings are to be understood in light of the rest of Scripture. For example, there is much to be gained by comparing the wisdom Solomon taught with the wisdom Christ personified. Third, there is the historical context in which the principles and truths draw on illustrations from their own day.
            A final area of challenge comes in understanding that proverbs are divine guidelines and wise observations, i.e., teaching underlying principles (24:3,4) which are not always inflexible laws or absolute promises. These expressions of general truth (cf. 10:27; 22:4) generally do have “exceptions,” due to the uncertainty of life and unpredictable behavior of fallen men. God does not guarantee uniform outcome or application for each proverb, but in studying them and applying them, one comes to contemplate the mind of God, His character, His attributes, His works, and His blessings. All of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge expressed in Proverbs are hidden in Christ (Col 2:3).

Outline
            I.  Prologue (1:1-7)
                        A.  Title (1:1)
                        B.  Purpose (1:2-6)
                        C.  Theme (1:7)
            II.  Praise and Wisdom to the Young (1:8-9:18)
            III.  Proverbs for Everyone (10:1-29:27)
                        A. From Solomon (10:1-22:16)
                        B.  From Wise Men (22:17-24:34)
                        C.  From Solomon Collected by Hezekiah (25:1-29:27)
            IV.  Personal Notes (30:1-31:31)
                        A.  From Agur (30:1-33)

                        B.  From Lemuel (31:1-31)

About Me

Hi! My name is Stanley and I'm a Bible student at Southwestern Seminary. This is one portion of my ministry. I am a graduate of Liberty University and my endeavor is to humbly, obediently, zealously, and perseveringly serve the Lord through the best opportunities available. My family and I live in Dallas, Texas. I've been married to my wife Thelma for seventeen years and we have one precious son. The Lord Jesus is our Master and we live our lives committed to walking alongside, and serving Him and God's glorious and everlasting purposes. My prayer for you is that God will grace your passions, prayers, and intellect: to be informed, transformed, and increasing a passion to know Him deeper every day through His loving, miraculous, unchangeable, and unchanging letter (and actions)towards us. Love in Christ. Blessings!

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