Have you had a problem with a nosey friend? Have you thought about investing in crypto currency or Non-Fungible Tokens? Or contemplated burying hard earned cash in a jar under the lemon tree in the back yard? Have you mastered the art of keeping your mouth shut? Or are you concerned about your sudden outbursts of rage becoming meme worthy for all the wrong reasons?
A thousand worries perplex us, but there’s an ancient book brimming with insight that can help. God has given us the book of Proverbs to help us navigate through the complexities of this life.
Authors and Audience
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; Prov 1:1
King Solomon wrote the bulk of the insights in Proverbs. However, Agur and Lemuel are also mentioned as co-authors.
Originally, the target audience was God’s chosen people, particularly young men making their first tentative steps into the real world. Therefore, some have viewed this book as a manual for ‘adulting’.
God’s Loving Advice
Proverbs gives an unvarnished take on reality, highlighting how wisdom from God works in the panoramic picture—the grand scheme of life, right down to eyeing ants on the ground scrounging for crumbs—our otherwise ordinary day to day experiences.
What is Wisdom?
Straight off the bat, wisdom means skill. Think of the honed abilities of a master carpenter, the delicate touch of a pastry chef, or the nimble fingers of a world class violinist. Each occupation requires a certain set of skills for success.
If you desire the skills for living this life with meaning, purpose and success then studying Proverbs will guide you on your journey. Through applying godly wisdom in our decision making, we can ultimately bring glory to God.
How do we receive Wisdom?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov 1:7
Fear.
It’s a negative emotion. Fear can paralyze.
It can fill you with dread. Fear can leave you shaking uncontrollably with fright, or cause you to lose bladder control—now, that’s embarrassing and I hope you never experience that level humiliation. Fear is what would grip you if a gunman stormed into your bedroom while you were all alone.
Then there’s what’s known as servile fear. This is the fear which motivates you to do your absolute best at work. And when you make a mistake, you’ll seek to cover it up to save face. Or you’ll blame someone else, like the pimply new assistant, because you’re fearful of what the boss might do. You’re afraid of losing your job and your reputation.
Yet, the fear that God wants us to have in relation to Him is neither stress inducing nor servile.
The word fear in Proverbs 1:7 means respect, reverence or awe which in turn inspires us to worship. This awe of God is built on solid trust, intimacy and devotion. It is a healthy respect and love for who God is.
When we respect God in this way, it’s easier to accept His wisdom. We’ll change. We’ll bend to His will. We’ll allow Him to set the pattern in our study, work and play. He will influence our attitudes and our relationships. He will govern everything. And we will happily seek Him first before acting on unreliable hunches, impulses or feelings.
What is a proverb?
A proverb is a short clever saying. A proverb conveys timeless truth and wisdom about a general observation on life.
A proverb is designed to fascinate and lodge in one’s thoughts. It’s sticky. It’s easy to grasp and remember.
However, a proverb is not the same as a promise. A proverb is only generally true. Proverbs are guidelines, not necessarily guarantees.
The nuts and bolts of Proverbs – Parallelism
Most proverbs consist of pairs of lines or parallels.
Synonymous parallelism is where the thought of the first line is repeated in the second.
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Prov 22:24
Antithetical parallelism is where the second line contrasts with the first line.
It is a joy to the just to do judgement (do right by others): but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. Prov 21:15
Synthetic parallelism is where the thought in the first line is explained or further illuminated by the second line.
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven Prov 23:5
The conjunctions for, and, but indicate which type of parallelism is used. By creating patterns in rhythm and structure the proverbs are easier to recall.
Sometimes the structure is numerical.
For example, These six things doth the LORD hate; yea, seen are an abomination unto him; Prov 6:16
Yet, in the last chapter of Proverbs, each line begins with a new letter of the Hebrew alphabet. These literary techniques are designed to help the student retain the proverbs in his mind with ease.
The blessing of embracing Wisdom
Let’s take a look at some of the opening sentences in the book of Proverbs with a focus on defining the key words.
To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding; Prov 1:2
In the Jewish mind wisdom is not merely knowledge, but the skill of living righteously before God, as He intended.
Instruction means the control of the moral nature, while understanding is mental discipline which helps in spiritual discernment.
To receive instruction of wisdom, justice and judgement, and equity; Prov 1:3
Justice means the ability to submit to God’s will and standards. Judgement is the application of true righteousness in dealing with other people. And equity means living life in a pleasing way.
To give subtility to the simple, and the young man knowledge and discretion. Prov 1:4
Subtility is the ability to quickly perceive, understand and judge a matter. While the word simplemeans an open door. It describes a naïve man who doesn’t know what to allow in or keep out of his mind.
Knowledge and discretion will help a young person to think before they act, and then make the right decision not to commit sin.
Who is a wise man?
A wise man will hear, and will increase in learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. Proverbs 1:5-6
A truly wise person will hear and obey the Word of God. This is echoed in Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
The book of Proverbs seeks to sharpen the intellect by helping the hearer to process dark sayings—an expression for riddles or puzzles—in other words, the perplexities of life.
Studying Proverbs leads to a fulfilled life and helps to produce godly character.
Why is wisdom personified as a woman?
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words saying,
How long, ye simple ones, will you love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Prov 1:20-22
The word wisdom in Hebrew is a feminine noun. So, it is no great leap for wisdom to naturally assume the role of being portrayed as a morally excellent woman.
Stylistically, Proverbs is written from a male perspective of a wise father instructing his young son. This is because the Hebrew culture was patriarchal. Men were responsible to lead their families, particularly in moral instruction by speaking the truth, teaching the scriptures and living out their faith.
The two startling choices are offered to a young man. Which would he choose to be his bride and lifelong companion? Wisdom, personified as a beautiful, virtuous woman or Foolishness, personified as a prostitute, a woman with low morals and a bad reputation.
Simple, naïve and foolish
As mentioned earlier, the word simple describes a man who is naïve, however; in certain places the word simple means someone who is wicked, or a sinner. A simple man is the very opposite of a moral man.
The word fool is mentioned many times in Proverbs. A fool is a sinner. A fool is an atheist who has no regard for God. He does not respect God and the scriptures.
Respect
The truly wise person will have a healthy respect and love for God. This also entails a healthy respect and love for His Son—the Word—the very meaning of Life.
Through Christ, God gives us a portion of His divine wisdom, as well all the other blessings that come with salvation.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption: 1 Cor 1:30
Without Jesus Christ, we’d all be doomed to die in our sins, cut off from the goodness and presence of God, locked down—quarantined—in the lake of fire for all of eternity. Revelation 20:14,15
So, we rejoice in our Saviour, God’s son, who was there with the Father and the Holy Spirit when time began at the dawn of creation, and our creation.
We rejoice because our sins are washed in the blood of the Lamb.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Rev 1:5
Bibliography
Henry, M. 1961, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Zondervan, Michigan.
Macarthur, J. 2019, The Macarthur Study Bible 2nd Edition, Thomas Nelson Publishers, China.
Pawson, D. 2015, Unlocking the Bible, William Collins, UK.
Pfeiffer C,F. 1990, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Moody Publishers, Illinois.
The Quest Study Bible, 1994, Zondervan Publishing House, Michigan.
Stanley, C. 1996, Charles Stanley’s Handbook for Christian Living, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville.
Unger, M.F. 1988, The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Moody Press, Chicago.
Walton, J. 2000, The IVP Bible Background Commentary Old Testament, IVP Academic, Illinois.
Thank you so much for sharing. I enjoy reading your writing so much
Thanks, Lydia. You’re so very kind and gracious. Thanks for reading my posts.