FAITH – HOPE – FORGIVENESS by Growing Older

Proverbs

Introduction:  Date of this Book

-Year from the Creation, 3004.

-Year before the birth of Christ, 996.

-Year before the vulgar era of Christ’s nativity, 1000.

-Year since the Deluge, according to Archbishop Usher and the

English Bible, 1348.

-Year from the destruction of Troy, 185.

-Year before the first Olympiad, 224.

-Year before the building of Rome, 247.

The Word PROVERB means: in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse):– byword, like, parable, proverb.  An easier definition would be: “A lot of truth in a short sentence.”

Human Writer: The bulk of the Book of Proverbs was written by Solomon (so were Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon).

In the Bible, (up to Song of Solomon,) most of the Books were written by men of some status in this world. After Song of Solomon, most of the Books were written by the common man.

The job of the giving of the Law was given to men of esteem and might. The job of evangelizing the world is generally done by the common man; the weak and the lowly; I Corinthians 1:26-27.

The human writers, so far, were Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David and Solomon. Later, we will read Books written by: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Amos etc. In the New Testament: common men – fishermen. There are exceptions; Luke the physician, but they are very few and far between.

The Apostle Paul writes: “not many wise men ….”

A Book of Practical Wisdom

The Psalms are a great help to our devotional life while the Proverbs have been referred to as: “Laws from heaven for a life here on earth.”

Central message: The practical wisdom of God

Six basic divisions in the Book of proverbs

1. Instructions to sons: chap. 1-7 2. Praise and wisdom: chap. 8-9 3. The folly of sin and wickedness: chap. 10-19 4. Warnings and instructions: chap. 20-29 5. The words of Agur
2. 6. The words of King Lemuel.

The Structure Of A Proverb

There are three main types of Proverbs

1. Contrastive: This is the most common type; it is known by the striking contrast of the two members joined commonly by the word “but. “ Chapters 10-15 are predominately of this type.

Proverbs 10:27 is an example of this.

2. Completive: Here, the second “member” agrees with the first and carries that idea or thought to completeness. The word “AND” is the common connector. Proverbs 16:3 is a good example of this.

3. Comparative: Here we find a striking comparison between the two thoughts, ideas or members. The word “THAN” is a common connector between them. A good example of this type Proverb would be Proverbs 15:16.

How To Read The Proverbs

The Proverbs are meant to be read with thought and not to rush your way through them. Read a few Proverbs and then think on what you have read and consider the truths that you have just read.  Let them sink into your mind and soul   Let’s look at a few Proverbs and see the Truths contained in them.

Proverbs 1:7 – When we begin to fear God – we will begin to learn.  Fear is “moral reverence”

Proverbs 1:10 – Don’t fall victim to those who will tempt you to do wrong.

Entice means to “lure.”

Proverbs 3:5-7 – TRUST – Faith in the New Testament – faith is to believe.

Trust means take refuge in – lean on – roll on – to stay upon

The word TRUST is found 152 times in the Old Testament

Proverbs 4:18-19 – Are you walking down His path of Heavenly knowledge and love?

Are you growing in it?

Proverbs 6:16-20 – Tells us what God hates. We ought to hate what God hates and Chapter 8:13 also tells us that very same thing.

Proverbs 9:9 and 10:8 tells us about the giving and receiving of instruction.

Proverbs 13:20 – Be careful who we associate with. Just as a tree frog or a chameleon acquires the color of what it adheres to for a short time, in the same way, man is influenced by those who you associate with.

Proverbs 15:32 – learn to take constructive criticism and use it to improve your life for the Lord.

Proverbs 17:22 & 15:15 – Remember Readers Digest “Laughter is the best medicine?”

Learn to laugh: even at yourself.

Proverbs 18:24 – The way to make friends  is to be one.. Take the initiative, go and talk to folks.

Proverbs 21:19 – Much to be said about making the little woman happy.

Proverbs 22:1-3 – Great instructions

Proverbs 23:1-7 – Godly council of who to avoid – our heart – our desires

Proverbs 23:29-33 – A warning against fermented beverages

Proverbs 24:17-19 – Instructions to us about our enemies

Proverbs  27:1 – None of us are guaranteed of another today

Proverbs  28:9 – It pays to listen to the Word of God

Proverbs 31:10-31 – The Virtuous woman

Proverbs 1:5-7: Receiving God’s Word

1. Brings wisdom and knowledge
2. Fear – reverential trust with a hatred of evil – Proverbs 8:13
3. Fear is the beginning of wisdom – Proverbs 9:10 – 10:8 – 13:1
4. hatred of evil – Proverbs 1:10 – Ephesians 5:11

Brings Instruction – Proverbs 9:9

1. Not to turn away – Proverbs 28:9 & 14
2. To confess sin – Proverbs 28:13
3. To those who reject instruction – Proverbs 12:15 – 13:20 – 13:18

Of God

1. It’s our spiritual food
2. for strength
3. to grow in grace
4. to learn
5. May we ever read and study and hold dear the precious Word of God.