Proverbs is a book that teaches us something all of the other books of the bible does, but elaborates it to a much higher extent. Proverbs is a book in the bible that provides Christians with certain guidelines and moral values that we as Christians should have, not only within the church, but outside the walls of the church as well. The book written by Solomon gives us the way that we should live our lives so that we represent Christ in everything that we do. Within the four sections of the book, we see examples of how we should live, sermons, etc… that lead us in the right direction. Within this paper, we will learn what exactly that proverbs are, the contents of the four main sections of the book, and what the book leads us to do and to be.
Proverbs was written around 900 B.C. as Solomon son of David, and was the King of Israel and written in Jerusalem Solomon was young when he became king, but he soon was known for his wisdom. In 1 kings 3:22-28 the most famous incident of his wisdom as a judge was when two women came to his court with a baby whom both women claimed as their own. Solomon then threatened to split the baby in half. One woman was prepared to accept the decision, but the other begged the King to give the live baby to the other woman. Solomon then knew the second woman was the mother.
A proverb is a brief, simple saying, or a phrase that gives advice and completely illustrate a commonplace truth based on practical experience. A proverb may have an allegorical message behind its odd appearance. My favorite verse in is Proverbs 16:9 and it says “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” We see here that humans plan what they want to do, but God decides whether it will happen or not. Here’s a really great example found in Luke chapter 12 where the rich man was so selfish and would not do God’s will with the abundance he had. He even tore his barns down and made greater barns to hold all his goods, but we will see what happened in Luke 12:20 ‘But God said to him, you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” It all comes down to this, our sovereign God overrules the plans of men to fulfill His purposes. The whole book of Proverbs are great examples on how to see the world and how to follow God’s plan because it is way better than what we hae planned.
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The first section is about one third of the book of Proverbs and it is basically a lecture talked by the personified voice of “Wisdom”. This area is the most conversational, account, and topical portion of the book. Wisdom talks within the to begin with individual and refers to the reader as “my child” direction the reader on different points of wise living. The voice of Wisdom expects different shapes.
On one hand, Wisdom refers to itself in a female term, utilizing the pronouns “she” and “her”. Wisdom portrays itself as a lady standing on the city roads, crying out her warning to the people. Be that as it may, Wisdom too recognizes itself with God, seeking after Wisdom it says is the same thing as obeying God, and Wisdom claims to have been God’s collaborator in making the world. The next three segments of Sayings contain the proverbs of Solomon and the sayings of the wise. The list of Solomon’s proverbs is made up of two long areas, and the proverbs are exceptionally freely organized by subject.
The speaker more often than not expect the voice and specialist of a lord. Many of the proverbs take after the comparison of conflicting agreement, a tradition in which the adage is expressed in two wonderful lines, and one line describes a sort of great or wise behavior whereas the other depicts its evil or silly inverse. The “sayings of the wise” make up one little segment and are less explanatory, issuing more direct commands and counsel to the reader. The last three areas in Proverbs incorporate the brief prophets of Agur and King Lemuel and a closing lesson on how to choose a great spouse.
Agur and Lemuel’s historical presence is unknown, but their enigmatic sayings proceed the request for wisdom and the subjects of balance and justice that are common to the rest of Sayings. The ultimate entry acclaims all the characteristics of the great and “capable” wife (31:10). She is productive, independent, strong, generous to the unwealthy, and most importantly, she “fears” God (31:30). Proverbs closes by calling for her family and the community to praise her.
References
- Bible Gateway – Book of Proverbs
- Got Questions – What is the Book of Proverbs about?
- Bible Study Tools – Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Proverbs
- Gospel Way – Book of Proverbs Explained Verse by Verse
- Enduring Word – David Guzik’s Commentary on Proverbs
- Precepts Bible Study – Introduction to the Book of Proverbs
