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THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
When we think of useful knowledge the ancients possessed, we should consider the book of Proverbs, a book of “pithy sayings” or “wise maxims.” The hundreds of short sayings in the book of Proverbs are general moral and religious truths that need to be applied in every age. They were for the most part compiled by Solomon, son of David, who had been especially blessed by God in the matter of wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-12; 4:29-34). “It would be ludicrous to claim that Solomon actually conceived each thought, uninfluenced by other writers. He is rather to be seen as a wise and learned man compiling an anthology of wise sayings, his own and others, and leaving on it the imprint of his own personality” (Walls).
Proverbs is not the kind of book one just reads through quickly and gets benefit from. Rather, benefit is gained when time is taken to carefully ponder over the thoughts presented, remembering their relationship to Bible teachings as a whole.
Fee and Stuart, in their book How to Read the Bible for all its Worth, suggest some guidelines for dealing with the Proverbs: They are often parabolic or figurative, pointing beyond themselves. They are practical. They are worded to be memorable, not technically precise. They strongly reflect ancient culture and need sensible translation not to lose their meaning. They are not guarantees from God but are rather poetic guidelines for good behavior. Proverbs may use highly specific language, exaggeration, or any of a variety of literary techniques to make their point. Proverbs give good advice for wise approaches to certain aspects of life, but are not exhaustive in their coverage. “The briefer a statement is, the less likely it is to be totally precise and universally applicable.”
We have and use proverbs and if we think of ones we know we will better understand how to approach the ones in the Book of Proverbs. Fee and Stuart use two as examples:
“Look before you leap.” Short and catchy and easy to remember. The meaning: “In advance to committing yourself to a course of action, consider your circumstances and options.” We can see the value of the short, pithy proverb, but note that “it can be easily misunderstood, or thought to apply only to jumping. It does not say where or how to look, what to look for , how soon to leap after looking, and it is not even intended to apply literally to jumping!”
“A stitch in time saves nine.” Short and catchy and easy to remember. More so than: “There are certain corrective measures for minor problems that, when taken early on in a course of action, forestall major problems from rising.” The proverb is not really talking about literal stitches but rather pointing toward a general truth.
With the above thoughts in mind, consider some proverbs that might be misused:
Proverbs 22:6 – As a proverb it is not a “guarantee” or “promise” from God but is rather speaking generally about a principle of education.
Proverbs 15:3 – Does this mean that any “hasty marriage…rash business decision…ill-thought-out vocational decision,” if committed to God, is guaranteed to succeed? As “a more general truth; it teaches that lives committed to God and lived according to His will succeedaccording to God’s definition of success.”
CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 9 – The Praise of Wisdom.
1:1-6 – The purpose of the book.
1:7 – The major theme. Note also 9:10.
1:8-19 – Warning against violence.
Wisdom is available and valuable.
1:20-23 – She (wisdom) cries aloud in the streets.
2:1 – 4:17 – The value of wisdom.
8:1 – 9:12 – Wisdom’s fame and excellence.
Warnings against loose women (compare 1 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 13:4).
5:1-23 – “Keep your way far from her.”
6:20-7:27 – ‘Her house is on the way to Sheol” (the place of the dead)
9:13-18 – “The dead are there.”
WISDOM AND FOLLY
The first nine chapters have shown the value of wisdom – a wisdom that begins with respect for God (3:5-8). Here are other proverbs regarding wisdom.
11:22 – A beautiful woman without discretion.
12:15 – Attitude toward advice.
14:12 – A way that seems right but is not (repeated in 16:25).
23:23 – Buy truth and do not sell it.
26:12 – The man wise in his own eyes.
19:1 – Rejecting reproof is to be broken.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FOOL (a person who rejects God’s guidance, lacking respect for God).
22:3 – He rushes in.
26:3 – Reason won’t work, so something else must be used.
26:4 – Don’t stoop to HIS level (v. 5 refers to rebuke).
26:7 and 26:8 – His attempt to speak is only weak and painful.
27:22 – What to do to cure foolishness?
29:9 – Useless argument.
Other Biblical references: Jer. 10:23; Matt. 7:24-27; Rom. 1:22,23; 1 Cor. 1:22-31; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; James 1:5.
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