PROVERBS

PROVERBS• “Proverb” = comparison with life

PROVERBS• “Proverb” = comparison with life• Solomon wrote most of Proverbs

PROVERBS• “Proverb” = comparison with life• Solomon wrote most of Proverbs• Foundational passage: Proverbs 1:1-7

PROVERBS• “Proverb” = comparison with life• Solomon wrote most of Proverbs• Foundational passage: Proverbs 1:1-7• Major themes:

PROVERBS• “Proverb” = comparison with life• Solomon wrote most of Proverbs• Foundational passage: Proverbs 1:1-7• Major themes:–Attain wisdom and reject folly.

PROVERBS• “Proverb” = comparison with life• Solomon wrote most of Proverbs• Foundational passage: Proverbs 1:1-7• Major themes:–Attain wisdom and reject folly.–Walk in righteousness and avoid evil.

PROVERBS• “Proverb” = comparison with life• Solomon wrote most of Proverbs• Foundational passage: Proverbs 1:1-7• Major themes:–Attain wisdom and reject folly.–Walk in righteousness and avoid evil.

PROVERBS 1:1-71 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David,

king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in

righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge

and discretion to the youth—5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one

who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the

words of the wise and their riddles.7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of

knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

PROVERBS• Key people…

PROVERBS• Key people…–Solomon: king of Israel, granted great wisdom from God

PROVERBS• Key people…–Solomon: king of Israel, granted great wisdom from God–Agur: son of Jakeh, an unknown sage (Prov. 30)

PROVERBS• Key people…–Solomon: king of Israel, granted great wisdom from God–Agur: son of Jakeh, an unknown sage (Prov. 30)–Lemuel: king whose mother’s teachings are included (Prov. 31)

PROVERBS• Key doctrines in Proverbs…

PROVERBS• Key doctrines in Proverbs…–Practical righteousness.

PROVERBS• Key doctrines in Proverbs…–Practical righteousness.–The benefits of wisdom.

PROVERBS• Key doctrines in Proverbs…–Practical righteousness.–The benefits of wisdom.–Man’s relationship to God.

PROVERBS• Key doctrines in Proverbs…–Practical righteousness.–The benefits of wisdom.–Man’s relationship to God.–Man’s relationship to himself.

PROVERBS• Key doctrines in Proverbs…–Practical righteousness.–The benefits of wisdom.–Man’s relationship to God.–Man’s relationship to himself.–Man’s relationship to others.

PROVERBS• God’s character in Proverbs…

PROVERBS• God’s character in Proverbs…–God is merciful (28:13).

PROVERBS• God’s character in Proverbs…–God is merciful (28:13).–God is omniscient (5:21).

PROVERBS• God’s character in Proverbs…–God is merciful (28:13).–God is omniscient (5:21).–God is provident (3:6; 16:3,9,33; 19:21; 20:24; 21:30,31).

PROVERBS• God’s character in Proverbs…–God is merciful (28:13).–God is omniscient (5:21).–God is provident (3:6; 16:3,9,33; 19:21; 20:24; 21:30,31).–God is wise (3:19; 15:11).

PROVERBS• Reminders about Proverbs…

PROVERBS• Reminders about Proverbs…–Figurative.

PROVERBS• Reminders about Proverbs…–Figurative.–Practical.

PROVERBS• Reminders about Proverbs…–Figurative.–Practical.–Memorable.

PROVERBS• Reminders about Proverbs…–Figurative.–Practical.–Memorable.–Variety of literary techniques.

PROVERBS• Reminders about Proverbs…–Figurative.–Practical.–Memorable.–Variety of literary techniques.–Not guarantees, but guidelines.

PROVERBS• Reminders about Proverbs…–Figurative.–Practical.–Memorable.–Variety of literary techniques.–Not guarantees, but guidelines.–Good advice, but not exhaustive.

PROVERBS• The Prologue (1:8-9:18)–Series of ten lessons from father to his son(s).–Most of the material is presented as gentle cautions.–Each new section begins with: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction.”–The lessons build until they climax in chapter nine with the appeals of wisdom and folly.

PROVERBS• Lesson 1 (and Interlude 1): Warning and Rebuke (1:8-33)–Includes both father and mother–A strong warning against wicked

men who plot against others for easy money–Wisdom is personified; she rebukes

the “simple ones” and “mockers”

PROVERBS• Lesson 2: Safeguard against the

Wicked (2:1-22)–Long introduction that urges the son to seek wisdom–Then, he will understand the fear of the LORD–Two main ways the son needs protection:• From wicked men.• From the wayward life.

PROVERBS• Lesson 3 and 4: The Value of Wisdom (3:1-35)–Lesson 3: (1-10, 27-35)•God’s promises and the son’s obligations: love and faithfulness, trust in the Lord, humility, and tithes and offerings

–Lesson 4: (13-26)• Three poems that highlight the value of wisdom: its blessings and value; its role in creation; and its blessings again

PROVERBS• Lesson 5-7: The Supremacy of Wisdom (4:1-27)–Lesson 5: emphasizes the family’s

heritage of wisdom and urges the sons to continue in it–Lesson 6: urges the son to stay off the

wrong way, the way of wickedness–Lesson 7: urges the son not to swerve

off the right way, the way of righteousness

PROVERBS• Lesson 8: Warnings against Adultery, Folly, and Wickedness (5:1-6:19)–Warns against adultery (and

encourages marital faithfulness)–Warns against the wicked–Warns against two kinds of folly:

welcoming strangers, and sloth

PROVERBS• Lesson 9: Further Warning against Adultery (6:20-35)–Points out the fearful consequence of

adultery:• Punishment•Disgrace• Vengeful husband

PROVERBS• Lesson 10 (and Interlude 2): The

Unfaithful Wife, and Wisdom’s Call–Lesson 10: focuses on the seductive tactics

of the unfaithful, adulterous wife– Interlude 2: •Wisdom praises herself to the “simple” and “foolish,” to kings and the prosperous, and to Yahweh himself•Wisdom encourages the father’s sons to watch daily at her doorway, especially against the seductress

PROVERBS• Final thoughts…

PROVERBS• Final thoughts…–The goal of the Writings is to apply the Word to practical living.

PROVERBS• Final thoughts…–The goal of the Writings is to apply the Word to practical living. –Jesus is the wisdom of God.