PROVERBSPROVERBS

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Ancient Wisdom for Modern LivingLiving

SolomonSolomon

Author of the ProverbsAuthor of the Proverbs King of IsraelKing of Israel Son of King DavidSon of King David Built the templeBuilt the temple Wisest man in the worldWisest man in the world Had his own sin problemsHad his own sin problems

Date of WritingDate of Writing

Solomon's proverbs were penned around Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. During his reign as king, the nation 900 B.C. During his reign as king, the nation of Israel reached its pinnacle spiritually, of Israel reached its pinnacle spiritually, politically, culturally, and economically. As politically, culturally, and economically. As Israel's reputation soared, so did King Israel's reputation soared, so did King Solomon's. Foreign dignitaries from the far Solomon's. Foreign dignitaries from the far reaches of the known world traveled great reaches of the known world traveled great distances to hear the wise monarch speak (distances to hear the wise monarch speak (1 Kings 4:341 Kings 4:34).).

Themes in ProverbsThemes in Proverbs

The fear of the LordThe fear of the Lord Fools vs. WiseFools vs. Wise

Key People in ProverbsKey People in Proverbs SolomonSolomon Hezekiah’s men - A body of men of letters to whom is Hezekiah’s men - A body of men of letters to whom is

ascribed the ascribed the assortment assortment of a supplementary collection of of a supplementary collection of

Solomonic proverbs (Solomonic proverbs (Pr 25:1Pr 25:1). ). These [are] also proverbs of These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. out.

Agur - Agur - gatherer; the collector, mentioned as author of gatherer; the collector, mentioned as author of the sayings in the sayings in Prov. 30Prov. 30. Nothing is known of him . Nothing is known of him beyond what is there recorded.beyond what is there recorded.

Lemuel - Lemuel - dedicated to God, a king whom his mother dedicated to God, a king whom his mother instructed (instructed (Pro 31:1-9Pro 31:1-9). Nothing is certainly known ). Nothing is certainly known concerning him. The rabbis identified him with concerning him. The rabbis identified him with Solomon.Solomon.

Key WordsKey Words Wisdom:Wisdom:

– ""The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Pr 9:10, knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Pr 9:10, 1:7)1:7)

– It is It is notnot IQ IQ (1Cor 1:20,25) (1Cor 1:20,25) ““Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Pr 26:12)hope for a fool than for him.” (Pr 26:12)

Understanding:Understanding: The revelation of truthThe revelation of truth

– Occurs in the heart Occurs in the heart (Is 6:10)(Is 6:10)– We sometimes call it “accepting one word”We sometimes call it “accepting one word”– It is It is notnot being like Nicodemus being like Nicodemus (Jn 3:10) (Jn 3:10)

Applying the proverbsApplying the proverbs

Taken literally, Proverbs offers practical Taken literally, Proverbs offers practical direction on how to live day-to-day in a way direction on how to live day-to-day in a way that pleases God.that pleases God.

Proverbs also has spiritual meaning.Proverbs also has spiritual meaning.– For instance: “For instance: “he who sleeps during harvest is a he who sleeps during harvest is a

disgraceful sondisgraceful son” (10:5) ” (10:5) This brings to mind not just our physical jobs, but This brings to mind not just our physical jobs, but

also world mission (Mt 9:37-38)also world mission (Mt 9:37-38)

Key Verse: 1:4Key Verse: 1:4

For giving prudence to the For giving prudence to the simple,simple,

knowledge and discretion to knowledge and discretion to the young the young

Proverbs in briefProverbs in brief

A Father counsels his son to seek wisdom A Father counsels his son to seek wisdom (1-7)(1-7)

Wisdom’s call (8-9)Wisdom’s call (8-9) Solomon’s proverbs (10-24)Solomon’s proverbs (10-24) Solomon’s proverbs copied by King Solomon’s proverbs copied by King

Hezekiah’s men (25-29)Hezekiah’s men (25-29) The words of Agur & King Lemuel (30-31)The words of Agur & King Lemuel (30-31)

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

I.I. Poor character traitsPoor character traitsa.a. The simpleThe simpleb.b. The foolThe foolc.c. The sluggardThe sluggard(also: the violent, the sexually immoral, the mocker, (also: the violent, the sexually immoral, the mocker, the divisive, the arrogant, and the drunkard)the divisive, the arrogant, and the drunkard)

God can change us if we listen to his wordGod can change us if we listen to his word

The wiseThe wisea.a. Fear of the LORD is beginning of wisdomFear of the LORD is beginning of wisdom

I.I. The noble womanThe noble woman

Are You Simple?Are You Simple?

Simple people lack moral direction and are Simple people lack moral direction and are inclined to evil.inclined to evil.

Proverbs 7:7Proverbs 7:7

I saw among the I saw among the simplesimple, I noticed among the, I noticed among theyoung men, a youth who lacked judgment. young men, a youth who lacked judgment.

Proverbs 14:15Proverbs 14:15

A A simplesimple man believes anything, man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs 14:18Proverbs 14:18

The The simplesimple inherit folly, inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 27:12Proverbs 27:12

The prudent see danger and take refuge, The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the but the simplesimple keep going and suffer for it. keep going and suffer for it.

The simple versus the foolThe simple versus the fool

For the waywardness of the For the waywardness of the simplesimple will willkill them, and the complacency of kill them, and the complacency of foolsfools will destroy them; (Pr 1:32) will destroy them; (Pr 1:32)

GenerallyGenerally in Proverbs, the simple refers to in Proverbs, the simple refers to those who lack moral judgment, where as thethose who lack moral judgment, where as thefool refers to someone who is morally deficient.fool refers to someone who is morally deficient.

Fools in ProverbsFools in Proverbs

Proverbs has a lot to say about fools. None Proverbs has a lot to say about fools. None of it is good. of it is good.

Proverbs 10:14Proverbs 10:14

Wise men store up knowledge, Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a but the mouth of a foolfool invites ruin. invites ruin.

Proverbs 10:21Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous nourish many, The lips of the righteous nourish many, but but foolsfools die for lack of judgment. die for lack of judgment.

Proverbs 10:23Proverbs 10:23

A A foolfool finds pleasure in evil conduct, finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in but a man of understanding delights in

wisdom.wisdom.

Proverbs 12:15Proverbs 12:15

The way of a The way of a foolfool seems right to him, seems right to him,but a wise man listens to advice.but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:16Proverbs 12:16

A A foolfool shows his annoyance at once, shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

Proverbs 13:16Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a but a foolfool exposes his folly. exposes his folly.

Proverbs 13:19Proverbs 13:19

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,but but foolsfools detest turning from evil. detest turning from evil.

Proverbs 13:20Proverbs 13:20

He who walks with the wise grows wise,He who walks with the wise grows wise,but a companion of but a companion of foolsfools suffers harm. suffers harm.

Proverbs 14:16Proverbs 14:16

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil,A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil,but a but a foolfool is hotheaded and reckless. is hotheaded and reckless.

The The sluggardsluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

(Proverbs 26:5)(Proverbs 26:5)

The sluggard

Proverbs 6:6Proverbs 6:6

Go to the ant you Go to the ant you sluggardsluggard;;Consider its ways and be wise!Consider its ways and be wise!

Proverbs 6:9-11

How long will you lie there you sluggard?When will you get up from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber,A little folding of the hands to rest –

And poverty will come on you like a banditAnd scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 10:5Proverbs 10:5

He who gathers crops in summer is a wise He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son,son,

but he who sleeps during harvest is a but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.disgraceful son.

II. Were you in these verses?II. Were you in these verses?

God’s word can help us to change!God’s word can help us to change!

Recall the purpose of Proverbs:Recall the purpose of Proverbs:

For giving prudence to the simple,For giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young (1:4)knowledge and discretion to the young (1:4)

Proverbs 8:5Proverbs 8:5

You who are simple, gain prudence; You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.you who are foolish, gain understanding.

Proverbs 9:4,6Proverbs 9:4,6

"Let all who are simple come in here!" "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment … she says to those who lack judgment … Leave your simple ways and you will live;Leave your simple ways and you will live;

walk in the way of understanding.walk in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 21:11 Proverbs 21:11

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; wisdom;

when a wise man is instructed, he gets when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledgeknowledge

III. The wise III. The wise

A catch-all phrase, representing the opposite A catch-all phrase, representing the opposite of the various bad traitsof the various bad traits– Upright, diligent, loving, humble, studies the Upright, diligent, loving, humble, studies the

BibleBible

Again, wisdom has nothing to do with IQ, Again, wisdom has nothing to do with IQ, being intellectual, or worldly knowledgebeing intellectual, or worldly knowledge

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdomwisdom

What does it mean to fear the LORD?

• Mentioned 21 times in proverbs

• “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” (Pr 3:7)

• To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (8:13)

• He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him (14:2)

Proverbs 9:8Proverbs 9:8

Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;rebuke a wise man and he will love you. rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

Proverbs 10:19Proverbs 10:19

When words are many, sin is not absent, When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 12:18

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 14:1

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears

hers down.

Proverbs 16:21

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

Proverbs 25:12

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine goldis a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Proverbs 29:8

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

IV. The noble woman

1. A wife of noble character is precious (31:10)

2. She is diligent (31:11-27)

3. She has a heart for the poor (31:20)

4. She speaks wisdom (26)

5. She deserves to be praised (31:28-31)Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things but you surpass them all”

Proverbs 31:30-31Proverbs 31:30-31

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

ConclusionConclusionEvery proverb presents a choice:Every proverb presents a choice: Will we be like the wise man or the fool?Will we be like the wise man or the fool?

Will we follow God’s way or our way?Will we follow God’s way or our way?

Will we do what God says or what we rationalize?Will we do what God says or what we rationalize?– There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to

death. (14:12)death. (14:12)– All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.

(21:2)(21:2)– The way of a fool seems right to him,but a wise man listens to The way of a fool seems right to him,but a wise man listens to

advice. (12:15)advice. (12:15)

ForeshadowingsForeshadowingsThe theme of wisdom and its necessity in our lives finds The theme of wisdom and its necessity in our lives finds its fulfillment in Christ. We are continually exhorted in its fulfillment in Christ. We are continually exhorted in Proverbs to seek wisdom, get wisdom, and understand Proverbs to seek wisdom, get wisdom, and understand wisdom. Proverbs also tells us—and repeats it— that the wisdom. Proverbs also tells us—and repeats it— that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (1:7; 9:10). fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (1:7; 9:10). Our fear of the Lord’s wrath and justice is what drives us Our fear of the Lord’s wrath and justice is what drives us to Christ, who is the embodiment of God’s wisdom as to Christ, who is the embodiment of God’s wisdom as expressed in His glorious plan of redemption for mankind. expressed in His glorious plan of redemption for mankind. In Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom In Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3Colossians 2:3), we find the answer to ), we find the answer to our search for wisdom, the remedy for our fear of God, our search for wisdom, the remedy for our fear of God, and the “righteousness, holiness and redemption” that we and the “righteousness, holiness and redemption” that we so desperately need (so desperately need (1 Corinthians 1:301 Corinthians 1:30). The wisdom ). The wisdom that is found only in Christ is in contrast to the foolishness that is found only in Christ is in contrast to the foolishness of the world which encourages us to be wise in our own of the world which encourages us to be wise in our own eyes. But Proverbs also tells us that the world’s way is eyes. But Proverbs also tells us that the world’s way is not God’s way (not God’s way (Proverbs 3:7Proverbs 3:7) and leads only to death () and leads only to death (Proverbs 14:12Proverbs 14:12; ; 16:2516:25).).