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 Bible > Proverbs > Chapters 1-3

Introduction   Ch. 1-3   4-8   9-14  15-20   21-26   27-31   Truth in Action

My Redeemer

Solomon
The Poetic and Wisdom Books

Proverbs Notes

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction 1:1-7
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    1. Title, purpose and introduction 1:1-6
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    2. Theme or motto 1:7

    

  2. Warnings and wise reprimands from a father 1:8-8:36
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    1. A father's warnings (1st part) 1:8-19
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    2. Wise reprimands (1st part) 1:20-33
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    3. A father's warnings (2nd part) 2:1-7:27
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    4. Wise reprimands (2nd part) 8:1-36

    

  3. The way of wisdom versus the way of foolishness 9:1-18
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  4. Proverbs of Solomon and sayings of the wise 10:1-29:27
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    1. Proverbs of Solomon (1st collection) 10:1-22:16
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    2. Sayings of the wise (1st collection) 22:17-29:27
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    3. Sayings of the wise (2nd collection) 24:23-34
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    4. Proverbs of Solomon (2nd collection; compiled by "Hezekiah's men") 25:1-29:27

    

  5. Proverbs of Agur 30:1-33
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    1. The moderate life in the fear of GOD 30:1-14
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    2. The wonders of life in the land 30:15-41
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    3. The foolishness or pride and wrath 30:32,33

    

  6. Proverbs of King Lemuel 31:1-31
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    1. A mother's counsel to a good son 31:1-9
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    2. Acrostic poem about the virtuous woman 31:10-31














THEMES OF PROVERBS (HBH)







The Book of Proverbs begins by challenging the young and simple as well as the wise and discerning to seek wisdom through its study (1:1-7). Ancient wisdom recognized the GOD-given order underlying creation (3:19-20; 8:22-30) and human society. For ancient wisdom saw GOD as a just Judge, who observes human conduct and upholds the moral order of His world by rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked. The bulk of Proverbs takes us the practical application of wisdom. What to do in specific, day-to-day situations was often not directly addressed by the OT laws and the prophets. These problems included how to relate the spouses (12:4; 31:10-31), parents (23:22), and children (19:18). How was one to relate to kings (16:10-15) and subjects (27:23-27), to friends (18:24) and enemies (25:21-22), to rich and poor (14:20-21)? How was one to respond to poverty and riches (18:11; 30:7-9)? Wisdom literature offered the ancient Israelites GOD-given counsel on such everyday matters.


GOD inspired Scripture in different ways. GOD spoke to Moses face to face. GOD spoke to the boy Samuel as an audible voice. GOD inspired wisdom teachers through the world they observed. Solomon (I Kings 4:29-32; Prov. 1:1; 10:1; 25:1), Agur (30:1), and Lemuel and his other (31:1) observed and reflected on the order of creation and society.


For example, seeing the sluggard's untended stone walls lying in ruin and his unworked fields bearing inedible vegetation, the inspired wisdom teacher learned a lesson. He learned that poverty will destroy a lazy individual just as surely as a bandit invades and robs. But through wisdom and discipline, the wise can overcome this evil (compare 24:30-34). Although GOD spoke to the wisdom teachers in a less dramatic fashion than He had to Moses and the prophets, those teachers were just as inspired (Prov. 2:6). Their words were just as authoritative as the laws or prophecies. The wisdom teachers referred to their proverbs as "teaching" (Hebrew toray, also rendered "law"; 1:8; 3:1) and "commands" (2:1; 3:1).


The wisdom teachers viewed life through the lens of Israel's faith, that is through the law and the prophets (29:18).


They recognized a proper respect for GOD as the foundation of all wisdom. "The fear of the LORD" (1:7) is the essential spiritual quality for those seeking to learn the inspired teacher's wisdom. What the alphabet is to reading, notes are to music, and numberals are to mathematics the fear of the LORD is to wisdom.


The wise, motivated by a healthy fear that GOD will uphold His revealed moral order, accept GOD's objective standards of wisdom. Those who acept the teachings of the wise and actively pray and search for wisdom come to understand the fear of the LORD (Prov. 2:1-5).


With this spiritual attitude GOD's people find the spiritual strength to master their tongue (21:23) and themselves (16:32; 25:28) and to live in harmony will all creatures and with creation.


The inspired writer was well aware that the righteous may first endure poverty (17:1; 19:1) and even death (1:10-19) before GOD rewards them. In fact, the righteous person may appear to be knocked out for the full count, but they will rise (24:16). Whereas the Books of Job and Ecclesiastes focus on the morally topsy-turvy world in whic the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, Proverbs looks at the end of the matter. The righteous will ultimately prosper in this life or the next. For the righteous GOD-fearer, the grave is merely a shadow along the trail (12:28; 14:32). Without this kind of faith it is impossible to please GOD (3:5; 22:19).


Faith in GOD's promises and warnings and obedience to His revealed will are contrary to human nature. Folly is bound up in the child's heart (22:15). In fact, sinful humans cannot speak for any extended period without sin (10:19). Like Solomon, persons who stop listening to instruction quickly stray from words of knowledge (19:27). Wisdom is gained through discipline. It is implanted by instruction (22:6; 4:3-4) and pruned with corporal punishment (10:13; 13:24; 23:13-14). Above all, the wise commit themselves in faith to GOD and pray to Him (15:8,29).







Prov. 1:1 Here the book is identified along with its principal author. However, it doesn't mean that all the proverbs belong to Solomon, whose role had been not only that of author, but also of compiler. In I Kings 4:32 we read that he composed 3,000 proverbs. In Ecclesiastes he calls himself the "preacher" (Eccl. 1:1). As such, he collected and cited undoubtedly useful expression, just as a modern preacher may cite a poem or eloquent metaphor. The proverbs are his, not only because he composed the greatest part, but because he collected and used them (see the note for 22:17).


Prov. 1:1-7 Title and Prologue (HBH) The prologue states the purpose for the work in 1:2-7. For the Israelites wisdom not only promoted a life of discipline and prudence (1:3), but it also enabled persons to unravel clever and mysterious sayings (1:6).


The heart of Israelite wisdom asserts that no one can begin to understand GOD's ways and life's mysteries apart from GOD's revelation (1:7). All human attempts at wisdom will ultimately fail.


Prov. 1:2-6 The purposes of the proverbs are enumerated; this entire passage can serve as a title for the book.


Prov. 1:2 Wisdom: See the introduction to Proverbs: "Content".




 LITERARY RICHES





Prov. 1:6 proverb, mashal; Strong #4912: Proverb, parable, maxim, adage. A simile or allegory. An objective lesson or illustration. This substantive comes from the verb mashal, which is to say "to compare, be similar". According to the Book of Proverbs, it seems that the proverb is a short saying that contains a treasure of truth. But the evidence of the Old Testament shows that it's something more than that. Balaam's long discourse is called a mashal (Num. 23:7-24:24). In other references, mashal suggests a mockery, a nickname, or an illustration. It sometimes refers to a person or nation that GOD points out as an example. Compare I Kings 9:7 with Psalm 69:11.










Prov. 1:7 The fear of Jehovah: Expressed in diverse ways, this is the theme that is repeated throughout the entire text as the key, the means, the secret, to achieving true wisdom. It isn't the terror that a tyrant arouses, but that type of fear or respect that leads us to obey the wisest being in the universe. Fools: The author highlights his message emphasizing the contrasts between opposite realities or principles. In Solomon's time this form of presenting a truth followed by its opposite was a normal literary practice that was highly esteemed.



Prov. 1:8,9 The instruction of the fathers shouldn't be a burden or nuisance, but a relief, a way of augmenting personal attractiveness, like a piece of jewelry that is worn with much joy.


Prov. 1:8-9:18 Solomon's Discourses (HBH)


Discourse 1 (1:8-33). The teacher warns the young man not to abandon the teachings of father and mother for the sake of lawless companions. Those who accept this kind of peer pressure are on their way to death (1:10-19). Wisdom herself calls on all to learn of her. Those who reject the call have no excuse when disaster strikes (1:23-33).





Prov. 1:1-10 The first warning appears here. Citing what sinners may argue (the vicious people) is a practical way of preparing a son to resist their suggestions. But the choice belongs to the son.



Prov. 1:20,21 Wisdom cries out: Wisdom ceases to be an abstraction and becomes a communicative feminine personage.


Prov. 1:22-33 The personification of wisdom as someone concerned for human beings  makes the counsel warmer. Its tone is reprimanding, but it concludes with an encouraging promise (v.33).
 
	   




Discourse 2 (2:1-22) HBH. The primary benefit of wisdom is the protection she gives. The two main dangers she saves her followers from are the crafty man (2:11-15) and the adulterous woman (2:16-19). This again indicates that the book was originally written for young men.


Prov. 2:1-9 If these three "ifs" are fulfilled (verses 1,3,4), the glorious treasure of wisdom (v.4) and the knowledge of GOD (v.5) will be discovered.


Prov. 2:1-6See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.


Prov. 2:4-6See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.


Prov. 2:10-19 Verses 10 and 11 offer the way to escape the list of threats, described in verses 12-19, that stalk perverse men (verses 12-15) and women (verses 16-19).


Prov. 2:20-22 Just like the contrasts between the blessed and the evil that Psalm 1 contains, here the blessings of the upright are followed by the condemnation of the unholy (v.22).






Discourse 3 (3:1-35) HBH. Wisdom is more than a matter of knowing rules of right and wrong; it is a matter of knowing GOD. The wise trust in the LORD rather than in their own wisdom (3:5-6). They fear and honor Him (3:7-10) and accept His discipline (3:11-12). The LORD, not just their awareness of certain principles, protects them (3:26).


Prov. 3:1 The Law (Torah), the Jewish name of the Pentateuch, whose literal meaning is "teaching", constitutes the foundation of rectitude. The expression "my law", assuming that the father is still speaking, alludes to the principles that govern family life; close to the principles of GOD, but of more limited application.


Prov. 3:6 Bind them around your neck...inscribe: Mercy and truth are considered something very valuable that mustn't be left behind.


Prov. 3:5 Trust: Lean on the LORD.


Prov. 3:5,6 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.






 KINGDOM DYNAMICS



Prov. 3:5 Intimacy with GOD and the breaking of spiritual barriers. THE WAR OF THE FAITH.
There are two words of special significance in this passage: "to recognize" (KJV-acknowledge) and "ways". The word "ways" (from the Hebrew derek) means "a way, course or mode of action". It suggests the specific opportunities that a person confronts continuously. The most common "segment of opportunity" that we regularly experience is each new day. It's as if this passage reminds us that we should recognize GOD every day, and he will then direct our ways.


Of similar significance is the word "remember", (from the Hebrew yada'). In other places yada' is translated as "to know", with the significance of knowing through observation, investigation, reflection or direct experience. But the highest level of yada' is obtained through "direct or intimate contact", as occurs in marriage. Applied to the spiritual context, it suggests an intimacy with GOD in prayer that grants blessings and victories. By combining these ideas with our text of Proverbs we can conclude that if we maintain yada' (intimate and direct contact with GOD) all of our "days", GOD promises to lead us toward living and fruitful realizations.   (Jer. 33:3/Acts 6:1-4) D.E.








 LITERARY RICHES




Prov. 3:6 straighten (KJV-direct), yashar; Strong #3474: Right, directed, pleasing, good. Here yashar means "to straighten". GOD "will direct" the way of his devoted and trusted servants. From this verb comes the substantive yosher, that says "rectitude" (Psa. 119:7). Job is described as without stain and upright (Job 1:1). The divine promise to Cyrus was that the crooked places would be straightened (Is. 45:2). Finally, from yashar comes the poetic name "Jeshurun" ("The upright"), a name that was always applied to Israel as a just nation (Deut. 33:5; Is. 44:2).










Prov. 3:6 Recognize Him (KJV-acknowledge): This suggests being totally conscious of GOD's presence and his companionship.


Prov. 3:9,10: That rectitude may be recompensed, something that appears repeatedly in Proverbs and many other books of Scripture, doesn't constitute a guarantee that mechanically operates in accordance with the law of cause and effect. On the contrary, as occurs with the sower and the harvest, it's a general law that forms part of the world created by GOD. There may be exceptions, at least for a time, but they don't change the inexorable principles of the universe. That is the reality.


Prov. 3:9 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.


Prov. 3:11,12 Neither despise...nor be weary: Means, neither reject nor separate yourself from it. GOD's correction, as hard as it may be, proves his love and concern for human beings.


Prov. 3:13-18: See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.


Prov. 3:14 Gain: The use of this term, generally applied to commercial usages, means that wisdom is more valuable than riches obtained in negotiations.


Prov. 3:16-18 A compact (although partial) list of what wisdom offers  is the following: longevity, wealth, recognition, joy, peace, vitality and happiness.


Prov. 3:19,20 Wisdom isn't an exclusive possession of GOD, but his instrument.


Prov. 3:21-26 See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.


Prov. 3:22-26 Wisdom offers security in the face of dangers.


Prov. 3:27-30 Being a good neighbor constitutes a concrete way of putting wisdom into practice.


Prov. 27,28 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Proverbs.


Prov. 3:31-35 GOD punishes the unholy, but blesses the unjust.




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