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THE BOOK OF PROVERBS (3)
READING THIS WEEK: PROVERBS 22:17 TO 31:31.22:17-24:34 – Words of the Wise.
The identity of these men is not known. “Probably they represent the distilled wisdom of many men over a considerable period” (Walls). These proverbs, rather than two-line, are of longer units, often four lines.
25:1 -29:27 – The Hezekiah collection of Solomon’s proverbs (137 of them).
30:1-33 – The Words of Agur (of whom we know nothing). Note the “threes” and “fours.” .
30:7-9 – The prayer of Agur; a beautifully balanced outlook.
30:11-14 – Four studies in arrogance.
30:15-16 – Four insatiable things.
30:18-19 – Four incomprehensible things.
30:21-23 – Four intolerable things.
30:24-28 – Four remarkable things.
30:29-31 – Four stately things.
31:1-9 – The Words of King Lemuel (of whom we know nothing else). Has been called “a manual for kings and judges.”
31:10-31 – The virtuous wife and mother. The appendix? By Lemuel or not? Alphabetic.
The book closes with a tribute to women, with the picture of a capable, virtuous, wife and mother of noble character. Look at the amazing latitude in this woman’s life. Look at her use of skills, her accomplishments. Look also at her relationship with her husband (11,12), a recognized leader in the city (23). She takes seriously her responsibilities as a mother (15, 21,26,27) and to those in need (20). What is her reward for all this? Note 10b, 28, 29, 31. What is the foundation of all this, of her life? A solid foundation of fear (respect) for the Lord (30)!
LOOKING AT SUBJECTS IN PROVERBS
ANGER AND SELF-MANAGEMENT1. 14:17 – Being patient.
2. 14:29 – Being slow to anger.
3. 15:18 – The hot-tempered man.
4. 16:32 – Better than the mighty.
5. 17:27 – Having a “cool spirit.”
6. 19:11 – Overlooking offenses.
7. 22:24,25 – Be careful whom you befriend!
8. 25:28 – Defenseless.
9. 26:17 – Don’t grab that dog!
10. 27:4 – Jealousy is even worse than anger.
11. 29:11 – Holding back.
DOING GOOD.1. 3:27,28 – Do not withhold.
2. 14:31 – An insult to the Maker.
3. 19:27 – Lending to the Lord.
4. 21:13 – Don’t close your ear…
5. 21:21 – The way of life and honour.
6. 22:9 – He who has a beautiful eye.
In the New Testament: Luke 6:38; Galatians 6:10; Matthew 25:34-40.
HONESTY AND DISHONESTY1. 10:9 – Walking securely.
2. 11:1 – A false balance.
3. 20:7 – A good heritage!
4. 20:10,14,17 – Doing business.
MAN AND MONEY1. 11:4 – Something riches can’t do.
2. 11:25-26,28 – Giving, hoarding, trusting in riches.
3. 13:11 – Quickly gained, quickly gone.
4. 14:20; 19:4 – Some people are friends only while the money lasts!
5. 22:1,2 – One Maker.
6. 22:7 – A sad truth.
7. 22:22,23 – The poor have an Advocate.
8. 23:4,5 – We know that it is true! (1 Timothy 6:9).
9. 30:7-9 – Agur’s request.
SEEK THE LORD!1. 14:26,27 – When one can have confidence.
2. 18:10 – Our strong tower.
3. 19:21 – “Not my will, but thine.”
4. 21:30,31 – Victory is His.
5. 21:17,28 – Surely there is a future.
6. 27:1 – Compare James 4:13-17.
7. 30:5 – He is Truth!.
MISCELLANEOUS1. 4:23 – The heart of the matter.
2. 13:20 – Companionship.
3. 16:18 – Up and down!
4. 17:17 – In fair and the fowl weather
5. 18:24 – Pretenders.
6. 21:4 – Pride and sin. “…these sins mark a wicked man” (NEB).
“lamp” – the standards by which they direct their lives.
Remembeer: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7; 3:5,6).
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