Introduction to Proverbs: Gaining Wisdom for Life

1. Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Introduction to ProverbsProverbs 1:1-7 We want to walk as wise men who make the most of the time (Eph. 5:15-16) Education and knowledge have replaced wisdom and understanding We have many, many highly educated people, but how many of them are wise?

3. Introduction to ProverbsProverbs 1:1-7 Knowledge floods society, but few understand how to live a life pleasing to our Creator We must learn to walk in wisdom both for the glory of God & for our own sake Proverbs trains the mind to think and evaluate and live life in a moral context

4. Introduction to ProverbsProverbs 1:1-7 Proverbs are: “pointed precepts for practical prudence” laws from heaven for life on earth” counsels from above for conduct below the words of the wise on the ways of the world.

5. The Legalist & the Licentious They have different standards, but the same root problem The legalist thinks he is holy because he lives by a standard higher than God’s The licentious thinks he is holy as long as he does not commit the act of sin

6. The Legalist & the Licentious Jesus corrected both errors in Matt. 5 – The first sin - coveting – resulted in more sin Proverbs 21:2 – Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts

7. The Author Proverbs 1:1 Solomon is the principal author. He spoke 3,000 proverbs - 1 Kings 4:32 Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God in answer to prayer - 1 Kings 3:5-14 Sadly, Solomon did not follow the wisdom given to him and disobeyed Deut. 17:17 The knowledge of wisdom is not the same as acting in wisdom

8. An Outline of Proverbs 1-9: Solomon’s Discourses to His Son 10-22:16 – Solomon’s Proverbs 22:17-24:34 - Sayings of the wise 25-29: Solomon’s Proverbs transcribed by Hezekiah’s men. 30: Sayings of Agur. 31: Sayings of Lemuel

9. Proverbial Statements A māshāl - Proverb - in narrowest sense: a short, pithy sentence consisting of two parallel phrases

10. Complementary / Synonymous Proverbs 11:30 - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls Proverbs 16:3 - Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established.

11. Antithetic / Contrasting Parallel Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm Proverbs 14:1 - The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

12. Synthetic / Comparative Parallel Proverbs 26:1 - Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool Proverbs 16:8 - Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice

13. Parabolic Distich Proverbs 18:7 - A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul Proverbs 26:8 - A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

14. Proverbial Statements māshāl in broad sense: A parable or teaching discourse - Proverbs 1-9, 22-24; 31:10-31 Proverbs are general statements of what is normally true. They are neither absolutes nor promises

15. The Purpose of Proverbs Proverbs 1:2-6 To know wisdom and instruction Wisdom: hokmâ - a manner of thinking & attitude concerning life’s experiences True wisdom subjects what is learned from experience to the revelation of God to live a moral life

16. To know wisdom and instructionProverbs 1:2 Instruction : mûsār - correction which results in education. Proverbs 13:24; Hebrews 12:6-8

17. To discern the sayings of understandingProverbs 1:2 Discern & understanding : bîn. - able to distinguishing between things - especially good from evil Sayings of understanding: all those things designed to give a person the ability to use knowledge in life

18. To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity. Proverbs 1:3 Wise: sākal - ability to think through complex matters, see what underlies them & make good decisions Wise behavior acts according to God’s standard of righteousness, justice & equity

19. To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretionProverbs 1:4 Prudence:‘ormâ - astute, having sharp powers of judgment - this comes through experience & training Naive - simple, ignorant, open minded - proverbs gives the proper screen to protect from what is wrong

20. To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretionProverbs 1:4 Proverbs give the young the facts, skills and ability to plan and carry out the proper purpose before God

21. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding \will acquire wise counselProverbs 1:5 The wise pay attention and gain more instruction and insight Those with understanding will gather good counsel - proverbs provides counsel from the wisest sources

22. To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles. Proverbs 1:6 Familiarity with Proverbs increases ability to understand with wisdom it contains.

23. ThemeProverbs 1:7 Wisdom must begin with the fear of the Lord for without it men go their own foolish ways Fear: yir’â - terror of the Lord - the unrighteous have good reason to be terrified of God This terror should cause them to diligently search for a means of escape

24. ThemeProverbs 1:7 The gospel is God’s provision of a way of escape from sin and its consequences Those justified by God’s gift of grace fear - yir’â - in the sense of reverence - proper respect due Him

25. Conclusion Proverbs calls the humble & wise to follow the ways of the Lord and warns against pride & foolishness

26. Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ