Book of Proverbs, Chapter 1:1-7, Introduction

Book of Proverbs, Chapter 1:1-7, Introduction        August 11, 2018

Let me ask a question, “What does it mean to live ‘the good life’?” Proverbs answers this question and deals with every day issues of how to live life in this physical world of God’s good creation.   Proverbs means a short saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice, eexpresses some obvious truth or familiar experience.

Let’s get an overview of the 7 first verses Proverbs

Proverbs 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:  (2)  for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;  (3)  for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;  (4)  for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young (5)  let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance (6)  for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.  (7)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The author is King Solomon

Solomon lived five hundred years before the “seven wise men” of Greece, and seven hundred before the age of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.  Solomon reigned from 971 to 931.

He Wrote 3000 proverbs

*1 Kings 4:32  He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

King Hezekiah reigned from 729 to 686.

*Proverbs 25:1 There are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:  {chap 25-29}

King Solomon was the wisest person in his day

*1 Kings 4:30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

King Solomon is credit with the proverbs, but Lord God is the Author of all Scriptures.

*2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We just read  “All Scripture  is . . . profitable” in four ways:

·      for doctrine —what’s right;

·      for reproof—what’s not right;

·      for correction—how to get right;

·      for instruction in righteousness—how to stay right.

Wisdom: occurs 45 times in Proverbs and means:

Traditional definition:  the ability to use knowledge in the right way

Biblical definition:  wisdom of the world

*1 Corinthians 2:6  We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.  {and verses 7 and 8}

Devine wisdom is from above:  Jesus is the Wisdom of God

*1 Corinthians 1:30  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Proverbs is a collection of pithy sayings in which, by comparison or contrast, some important truth is set forth, covering subjects of pursuit of wisdom, fear of God, liberty, faithfulness, and honesty in business relationships.

The Beginning of Knowledge

Title of Proverbs

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:     {What blessings did God give to Solomon}

*1 Kings 3:12-13 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  (13)  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

*1 Kings 4:29-30 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.  (30)  Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

Proverbs is God’s book of parables, comparison, sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical truth or principles.  7 items stand out

1.   How to wise up and live

2.   Beyond keeping laws.

3.   Focuses on leading an aggressively, dynamic life.

4.   Proper and improper attitudes, conduct, and characteristics are referred to in penetrating ways

5.   Short sentences from long experience

6.   Easy to remember

7.   Condense much wisdom in a small space.

Overall Purpose of Proverbs, verses 2-6, practical wisdom for the living and management of life

Basic Purpose of Proverbs

·      For attaining wisdom and discipline.

·      For understanding words of insight.

·      For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life.

·      For giving good judgment or common sense to the simple.

·      For understanding proverbs, parables, sayings and riddles of the wise

First, what is Wisdom.

Traditional definition: The ability to use knowledge in the right way.

Biblical:  There is a wisdom of this world

*1 Corinthians 2:6 However, when we are among mature people, we do speak a message of wisdom, but not the wisdom of this world or of the rulers of this world, who are passing off the scene.

*James 3:14-15 But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, stop boasting and slandering the truth. (15) That kind of wisdom does not come from above. No, it is worldly, self-centered, and demonic.

Divine wisdom is from above:  Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God 

*Colossians 2:3 in whom {Jesus} are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Important:  Yet wisdom means so much more.  True wisdom is a matter of the heart and not the mind alone.

To be wise in the Biblical sense one must have a proper relationship to God.

If we want to live wisely, we must begin with commitment to Jesus Christ, who is “the wisdom of God” and then to follow  and obey Jesus commands for each of us.  So hard for us to do.

*1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

The Beginning of Knowledge

Proverbs 1:2  for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;

Instruction: discipline or training, what we ought to know and follow, and what we ought to refuse.

Understanding: The power of distinguishing right from wrong, truth from its counterfeit, good and evil, profitable and worthless and helpful and harmful.  The word of God in which is the only true insight to our Father and Jesus.

Proverbs 1:3  for receiving instruction in wise behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;  {or instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and upright living}

We need to be willing to submit ourselves to the correction of those who are wise and to receive righteous counsels or instructions from others.

We need to live a righteous life and rendering to every man what which belongs to him and to pass a right sentence upon human actions, whether our own or another’s..

Proverbs 1:4  for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young

By listening to these proverbs the simple will become experienced, knowledgeable, and well-informed and young people will gain insight and common sense and not make mistakes and learn from the harsh facts of life.

Proverbs 1:5  let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance

Wise men will grow wiser by heeding these proverbs, and a man of understanding will learn how to guide himself and to advise others as well.

There are many things entertaining to men of years and wisdom in the Proverbs, as well as instructive to the young men and simple ones and will add to their learning on life.

Proverbs 1:6  for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Something important to recognize; a great amount of the world’s wisdom is contained in proverbs. But it must be noted that many of the world’s proverbs are faulty, wrong and imperfect, and most likely unsafe rules for a Christian to follow in everyday life. 

We learn what a little bit of leaven can do in everyday life last week. 

The proverbs of Solomon are all good and come from the Holy Spirit of God.

Proverbs is designed to enable a person to understand proverbs and parables and the lesson which often lies beneath the surface. It helps him to grasp the meaning of wise sayings and the hidden truths contained in them.

As a truth, no one finishes the study of wisdom; there is always more to learn and speaks of the lessons that more mature person gains from the study of the proverbs.

We just covered the purpose of Proverbs

We will find in the Proverbs as we go through the various chapters: 

1 winner and 3 losers.

The Wise:  Winner

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

1.   Listen to instruction

2.   Obey what they hear

3.   Store up what they learn

4.   Win others to the Lord

5.   Flee from sin

6.   Watch their tongue

7.   Are diligent in their daily work

The Three Losers are in the Proverbs

Proverbs 1:22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

Simple Ones:  Loser (silly - that is, lead astray, foolish one)

·      Believe everything and everybody and lack discernment

·      Easily led astray by others and lack understanding

·      Cannot see ahead and repeatedly walk into trouble

·      Reject Wisdom, listen to Folly and ended up dead 

Scorners:  Loser (make a mouth, make a mock, mocker, scorn)

·      Mock at God’s wisdom and not admit it, because they know everything

·      Never profit from rebuke and will one day be judged

·      Reject Wisdom, listen to Folly and received destruction

·      The Hebrew word for “scorner” literally means “to make a mouth”; and we can easily picture them sneering and curling up their lips in scorn.

Fool:  Loser (figuratively stupid or silly, foolish); The person who is dense, sluggish, careless, and self-satisfied

1.   hates instruction

2.   is self-confident

3.   talks without thinking

4.   mocks at sin

5.   Reject Wisdom, listen to Folly and leads to death 

This is the theme of Proverbs and is the key verse of the Book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We are told, if someone wants to be wise, the place to begin is in worshiping God and in trusting and obeying Him.

Likewise, a fool is one who cannot be told anything, conceited, and only learns lessons the hard way, if at all. They are the fools and indifferent to God’s Holy character and government; the wicked and have rejected the fear of the Lord is the same as rejecting wisdom outright.

The fear, which is the reverence and obedience to God is the beginning foundation without which all other knowledge is vain.

Jobs final words:

*Job 28:28 And he said to the human race, "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

*Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

The other part of fear, the Apostle Paul tells us:

*Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Fools - That is, wicked men, are so far from attaining true wisdom, that they despise it, and all the means of getting it.

This is the wrong type of fear; First, realize that there is a fear of God that doesn’t produce good results. This terrifying and paralyzing fear is likely the type of fear that comes to our mind.

This type of fear does not have a positive end. This fear is not what God is looking for. 

Remember, the fear of the LORD for a Believer; the fear of the God who created the universe but who deigns us to be in relationship with our Lord Jesus, is required for wisdom. Such proper fear teaches us our place in the world and how to live well in it.

Psalms 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.

The fear of God is an attitude of respect, a response of reverence and wonder. It is the only appropriate response to our Creator and Redeemer.