Introduction To Introduction To ProverbsProverbs

Proverbs 1:1-7Proverbs 1:1-7

The walk of a Christian is to be the The walk of a Christian is to be the walk of wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-17walk of wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-17 Value of time.Value of time.

The word of God equips man unto The word of God equips man unto every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The book begins by identifying Solomon, the son of The book begins by identifying Solomon, the son of David, King of Israel as the author. (971-931 B.C. David, King of Israel as the author. (971-931 B.C. Long before Plato, Aristotle, and other “wise men”)Long before Plato, Aristotle, and other “wise men”)

Copied by men of Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.) Copied by men of Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.) Proverbs 25:1-29:27)Proverbs 25:1-29:27)

Granted wisdom by God. 1 Kings 3:5-14Granted wisdom by God. 1 Kings 3:5-14 Became famous for his wisdom, and wrote over Became famous for his wisdom, and wrote over

3000 proverbs. 1 Kings 4:29-34. Wrote Eccl. & 3000 proverbs. 1 Kings 4:29-34. Wrote Eccl. & Song of Solomon.Song of Solomon.

Book also contains wisdom from:Book also contains wisdom from: Agur son of Jakeh to Ithiel and Ucal. Proverbs Agur son of Jakeh to Ithiel and Ucal. Proverbs

30:1-3330:1-33 The words of King Lemuel, taught him by his The words of King Lemuel, taught him by his

mother. mother. Proverbs 31:1-31 Proverbs 31:1-31

Outline of the book…Outline of the book…

Note: Proverbs is a collection of Note: Proverbs is a collection of sayings with no particular sayings with no particular arrangement or outline. A lot like life arrangement or outline. A lot like life itself. It is a book about life.itself. It is a book about life.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOKTHE PURPOSE OF THE BOOKProverbs 1:1-7Proverbs 1:1-7

1. "To know wisdom and instruction, to 1. "To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding"perceive the words of understanding"

2. "To receive the instruction of wisdom, 2. "To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity"justice, judgment, and equity"

3. To give to the...3. To give to the...

a. Simple (naive) – "prudence"a. Simple (naive) – "prudence"

b. Young man – "knowledge and b. Young man – "knowledge and discretion"discretion"

c. Wise man – "increased learning"c. Wise man – "increased learning"

d. Man of understanding – "wise d. Man of understanding – "wise counsel"counsel"

THE BOOK IS THE BOOK IS DESIGNED...DESIGNED...

1. To make a person wise! cf. James 1:5-1. To make a person wise! cf. James 1:5-88

2. To learn how to:2. To learn how to:

a. Act wisely and righteouslya. Act wisely and righteously

b. Treat others with fairnessb. Treat others with fairness

3. To give…3. To give…

a. The ignorant, common sensea. The ignorant, common sense

b. The young, sound adviceb. The young, sound advice

c. The wise, even more wisdomc. The wise, even more wisdom

4. Takes effort. cf. Proverbs 2:1-64. Takes effort. cf. Proverbs 2:1-6

DEFINING WISDOM...DEFINING WISDOM...

"Wisdom...may be defined as a "Wisdom...may be defined as a realistic approach to the problems of realistic approach to the problems of life..." life..." - 20th Century Encyclopedia of Religious - 20th Century Encyclopedia of Religious KnowledgeKnowledge

““Ability to judge correctly and follow Ability to judge correctly and follow the best course of action, based on the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding.” knowledge and understanding.” Nelson Nelson Bible Dictionary.Bible Dictionary.

A proverb is “a short sentence based on a A proverb is “a short sentence based on a long experience.”long experience.”

Illustrations Of These Illustrations Of These General TruthsGeneral Truths

Proverbs 10:4 “He becometh poor Proverbs 10:4 “He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.”stirreth up anger.”

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.”is old he will not depart from it.”

VALUE OF WISDOM...VALUE OF WISDOM...

1. The first nine chapters of Proverbs 1. The first nine chapters of Proverbs are discourses extolling the value of are discourses extolling the value of wisdom.wisdom.

2. The virtue of wisdom is seen in the 2. The virtue of wisdom is seen in the prosperous life it can produce. prosperous life it can produce. Proverbs 3:13-18Proverbs 3:13-18

3. Its value is also found in guarding 3. Its value is also found in guarding us against many pitfalls. Proverbs us against many pitfalls. Proverbs 3:21-263:21-26

VALUE OF WISDOM...VALUE OF WISDOM...

4. Some "pitfalls" frequently warned 4. Some "pitfalls" frequently warned against in The Book Of Proverbs:against in The Book Of Proverbs:

The immoral woman – Proverbs 5:1-The immoral woman – Proverbs 5:1-14; 6:24; 7:5ff14; 6:24; 7:5ff

Evil companionship. Proverbs Evil companionship. Proverbs 12:10-19 12:10-19

Laziness. Proverbs 6:6-11Laziness. Proverbs 6:6-11

VALUE OF WISDOM...VALUE OF WISDOM...

5. Chapter 8… 5. Chapter 8… Wisdom is the source of true wealth; It Wisdom is the source of true wealth; It

is better than rubies. Verse 11is better than rubies. Verse 11 Wisdom dwells with prudence. Verse 12Wisdom dwells with prudence. Verse 12 It leads in the way of righteousness. It leads in the way of righteousness.

Verse 20Verse 20 Whoso finds wisdom finds life and Whoso finds wisdom finds life and

obtains favor of the Lord. Verse 35obtains favor of the Lord. Verse 35 For one to sin against wisdom is to For one to sin against wisdom is to

wrong “his own soul.” Verse 36wrong “his own soul.” Verse 36

WISDOM COMES FROM WISDOM COMES FROM TWO SOURCES...TWO SOURCES...

Trial and error (personal experience). Galatians 6:7; Trial and error (personal experience). Galatians 6:7; Proverbs 13:15Proverbs 13:15

Younger should listen to the older. Ephesians 6:2;Younger should listen to the older. Ephesians 6:2;1 Peter 5:5; 1 Kings 12:81 Peter 5:5; 1 Kings 12:8

Counsel from others (proven experience).Counsel from others (proven experience).

Uninspired people who have had greater experience Uninspired people who have had greater experience in certain fields. Proverbs 12:15in certain fields. Proverbs 12:15 Fool will not listen. Proverbs 29:19Fool will not listen. Proverbs 29:19

Inspired teachers. 2 Timothy 3:15ffInspired teachers. 2 Timothy 3:15ff

This is counsel from God. Declares “the end This is counsel from God. Declares “the end from the beginning!” Isaiah 46:10from the beginning!” Isaiah 46:10

““Who Is A Wise Man?” Who Is A Wise Man?” James 3:13James 3:13

One who refrains his lips and listensOne who refrains his lips and listens. . Proverbs 10:19; 17:28; 29:11; Proverbs 10:19; 17:28; 29:11; James 1:19James 1:19

1.1. ““The tongue of the righteous is as The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver” choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20).(Proverbs 10:20).

2.2. David prayed, David prayed, “Set a watch, O “Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips”(Psalms 141:3).of my lips”(Psalms 141:3).

3.3. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23). (Proverbs 21:23).

4. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of 4. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in network of silver” (Proverbs gold in network of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).25:11).

““Who Is A Wise Man?” Who Is A Wise Man?” James 3:13James 3:13

5.5. “He that guardeth his mouth “He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3).(Proverbs 13:3).

6.6. “Seest thou a man that is hasty in “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him” than of him” (Proverbs 29:20).(Proverbs 29:20).

Let us especially be slow to speak when Let us especially be slow to speak when we are angry. we are angry. ““Death and life are in the power of the Death and life are in the power of the

tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).

““Who Is A Wise Man?” Who Is A Wise Man?” James 3:13James 3:13

He develops a healthy fear of God.He develops a healthy fear of God.Proverbs 1:7; 9:10Proverbs 1:7; 9:10

He heeds the instructions of parents.He heeds the instructions of parents.Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:1-4; 13:1Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:1-4; 13:1

He accepts instruction from others.He accepts instruction from others.Proverbs 9:8-9; 12:15; 10:14Proverbs 9:8-9; 12:15; 10:14

He accepts reproof.He accepts reproof.Proverbs 12:1Proverbs 12:1

““Who Is A Wise Man?” Who Is A Wise Man?” James 3:13James 3:13

One who hears and obeys the LordOne who hears and obeys the Lord. Matthew . Matthew 7:24-277:24-27

Submission to authority. Matthew 21:23-27; Submission to authority. Matthew 21:23-27; cf. Hebrews 1:1; Matthew 17:5cf. Hebrews 1:1; Matthew 17:5

Obedience necessary. Romans 6:16-18; 2 Obedience necessary. Romans 6:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:9Thessalonians 1:9

One who is prepared NOWOne who is prepared NOW.. The lowly ants prepare for the future.The lowly ants prepare for the future.

Proverbs 30:25Proverbs 30:25• One who hears and does not obey is One who hears and does not obey is

deceiving himself. James 1:22-25deceiving himself. James 1:22-25 Even until the end. Revelation 2:10Even until the end. Revelation 2:10

ConclusionConclusion

Colossians 2:1-3 “For I would have you Colossians 2:1-3 “For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, full assurance of understanding, that they that they may know the mystery of God, (even) may know the mystery of God, (even) Christ, in whom are all the treasures of Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hiddenwisdom and knowledge hidden.”.”