THE PROVERBS ARE FULL OF GENERAL STATEMENTS….. THE BIBLE IS FULL AT TIMES OF GENERAL STATEMENTS….. WE USE GENERAL STATEMENTS IN OUR LIVES—— “IT WAS MY BEST DAY EVER” THE CHANCES ARE YOU’VE HAD MANY BEST DAYS. “HE’S SUCH A GOOD SHOT HE NEVER MISSES.” CHANCES ARE THEY HAVE MISSED. PROVERBS ARE FULL OF GENERAL STATEMENTS - Keith Hunt
PROVERBS…. of Wisdom
IN THE FIRST NUMBER OF CHAPTERS IT IS PRETTY WELL EASY TO UNDERSTAND, NOTHING TOO HARD OR COMPLICATED - Keith Hunt
The Book of
PROVERBS
From the New King James Study Bible
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of short, pithy instructions on how to live in God's world. It is, in fact, a collection of collections of proverbs and wisdom literature. The outline divides the book into eight sections, each containing proverbs from various authors and dates.
Author.
The first verse ties the entire book to Solomon, the most famous wise man in ancient Israel. Also, the first section (1:8—9:18) is closely connected with Solomon, although he is generally understood as the one who inspired the proverbs or the one to whom they were ascribed, rather than the author of them. The sections in 10:1—22:16
and 25:1—29:27 are titled "proverbs of Solomon." These titles are likely conventional names for pithy wisdom traditions preserved in Israel, although Solomon was probably the author of much of the material.
First Kings 1—11 narrates the renowned wisdom traditions about Solomon, and 1 Kings 4:30 records that "Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt." He delivered 3,000 proverbs, 1,005 songs, and spoke over a broad range of topics. People from many nations came to listen and to learn of his wisdom (1 Kin. 4:33, 34). Proverbs 25:1 indicates that some of Solomon's sayings were preserved for future generations by writing. They were later copied by others.
Wise men in addition to Solomon have contributed material in Proverbs. The section 22:17—24:34 identifies a block titled "words of the wise." The similarity of the proverbs in this section to those found in the Egyptian "Wisdom of Amen-em-ope" has long been noted. Wise sayings from other non-Israelites are clearly identified in the book, such as those attributed to Agur son of Jakeh (30:1) and to King Lemuel (31:1-9).
Solomon is probably the original composer of much of the material in Proverbs, although there were also contributions by other wise men who spoke in the wisdom tradition that Solomon had consolidated and crystalized.
Date.
Some material in Proverbs is very early, having been partly recorded in Solomon's reign (10:1; 25:1). Other material cannot be dated with any certainty (such as chs. 1—9; 22:17—24:34; 30—31).
The date of the completion of the book is unknown. Proverbs 25:1 indicates that the material in 25:1—29:27 was put in place after Hezekiah's reign (715-686 B.C.). Thus, the final form of the book was not complete until at least two hundred years after Solomon.
A reasonable date is sometime in the fifth century B.C.
Background.
The backdrop of Israel's wisdom literature (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes) was international, encompassing the entire ancient Near East. Each nation claimed its own group of wise men and wise women (see 1 Kin. 4:29-34), and each tended to reflect its particular nationalistic wisdom.
Religion permeated the social life and structure of Israel. Thus wisdom was directly tied to monotheism and other emphases of her unique faith in God. The fear of the Lord (1:7) and a vision of justice making everyone responsible to Him motivated His people to live lives of righteousness.
In Israel the most important socializing group was the family. The father was charged with inculcating and demonstrating wisdom (4:3-6). The wife/mother also played a vital part (31:10-31).
Purpose.
The purpose of Proverbs is stated in the introduction to the book (1:2-7). The goal is to emphasize acceptable moral and religious behavior based on Israel's religious faith. Wisdom is described as the most desirable possession of humankind. He who gets wisdom pleases both God and people, lives successfully in this life, and "obtains favor from the Lord" (8:35, 36). Ultimately the NT equates "the wisdom which comes down from above" with holiness (James.3:13-18). To learn the ways of the Creator and follow them by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit is to fulfill the commandments.
The nature of Israelite wisdom in Proverbs lies in both its form and content. The basic form is the sentence or saying. A proverb is a short statement based on experience gathered over a significant period of time.
The subject matter of Proverbs is broad, dealing with all of life under the sun. It is concerned that God's people should know "how to live life before God and man in a way that results in success before both God and man."
The proverbs are written in condensed language; therefore, special attention is sometimes needed to gain their full impact. This may be done by reading them aloud, reading them often, and meditating on them.
Outline of Proverbs
I. Introduction 1:1-7
A. Solomon's relationship to
Proverbs 1:1
B. Purposes: to teach wisdom 1:2-6
C. The fear of the Lord and the
disposition of fools 1:7
II. The value and appeal of
wisdom 1:8—9:18
A. Parental instructions: a
path to moral success 1:8-19
B. Wisdom's plea and
promise of life 1:20—4:27
C. Shun immoral women; be
faithful in marriage 5:1-23
D. Flee faults; pursue
wisdom 6:1-35
E. Pursue wisdom; shun
adultery 7:1-27
F. Wisdom personified; the
way to life 8:1-36
G. Wisdom's invitation 9:1-18
III. The value and practice
of wisdom 10:1—22:16
A. The righteous and
the wicked 10:1—15:33
B. The life and conduct
of the wise 16:1—22:16
IV. The words of the wise 22:17—24:34
A. Wise men's instruction
for their pupils 22:17—24:22
B. Instructions for moral
living 24:23-34
V. The wise words copied
by Hezekiah's men 25:1—29:27
VI. The wise words of Agur 30:1-33
VII. The wise words of Lemuel 31:1-9
VIII. The wise ways of a virtuous wife 31:10-31
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CHAPTER 1
The Beginning of Wisdom
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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WE ARE GIVEN THE KEY IMMEDIATELY….. TO FEAR GOD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION. TRUE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO USE THAT WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, DOES NOT COME FROM THE UNIVERSITIES OF THIS WORLD. THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN NOT SEEK A SKILL AND BE EXCEEDINGLY GOOD WITH IT, FROM UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES. THE WORLD NEEDS ALL KINDS OF SKILLS, EVEN THOSE WITH PhD. GOD IS HEAR TALKING ABOUT THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, THAT MAKES FOR THE RIGHT WAY TO LIVE TOWARDS GOD AND YOUR FELLOW MAN. IT IS THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WILL LEAD TO LIFE ETERNAL. NOTICE THE LORD SAYS IT IS FOOLS THAT DESPISE WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION. SO THE CHILD OF GOD WILL ALWAYS BE READY TO BE INSTRUCTED - THEY WILL ALWAYS BE HUNGERING AND THIRSTING AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS [PS. 119:172 - DEFINITION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS]. THE CHILD OF GOD WILL WANT TO BE GUIDED AND INSTRUCTED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. IT WILL TRULY ONLY FOOLS THAT WILL NOT BE INSTRUCTED IN SALVATION AND THE WAY TO LIFE ETERNAL. THESE VERSES HERE ARE ALSO SAYING WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS; WE ARE TO GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. WE ARE EVER TO BE LEARNING; WILLING TO BE TAUGHT AND CORRECTED. IT ALSO TEACHES HERE THAT OTHERS CAN HAVE WISE COUNSEL TO GIVE, THEY CAN BE EXPERTS IN A CERTAIN FIELD THAT YOU ARE NOT; YOU TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE EXPERT MECHANIC TO FIX A PROBLEM; YOU SEEK COUNSEL FOR THE INVESTMENT MONIES; YOU SEEK COUNSEL WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME AND ETC. SOME THINGS YOU ARE “SIMPLE” IN - YOU DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE SO PRUDENCE YOU MUST ATTAIN FROM OUTSIDE YOURSELF. THE YOUNG ARE STILL YOUNG IN LIFE AND SO MUST STILL OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE AND DISCRETION. THE BEST WAY TO ATTAIN ALL THIS IS TO FIRST FEAR [DEEPLY RESPECT] THE LORD.
Keith Hunt
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A Path to Success
8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;
9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, "Do not consent.
11 If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the
12 innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
13 We shall find all kinds of possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil;
14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"—
15 My son, do not walk in the way | with them, keep your foot from their path;
16 For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood
17 Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird;
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.
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The following is from the commentary in this New King James Study Bible:
1:1-7.These verses form an introduction to the entire Book of Proverbs. The rest of the book is designed to fulfill the purposes set but here. It is offered to provide its readers with wisdom and instruction (v. 2). Similar words emphasize this purpose: judgment and equity (v. 3), prudence, knowledge, and discretion (v. 4), learning and wise counsel (v. 5). All these are related to knowing how to live well and deciding to live that way. proverbs of Solomon: See Introduction: Author. The great wisdom of this king made a deep impression on the visiting queen of Sheba (see 2 Chr. 9:1-12).
1:6 The proverb was a short statement of truth concerning some aspect of human life. The enigma, as well as riddles, presented a principle of truth through a puzzle or problem to be solved.
1:7 Fear of the Lord is reverence and obedience to Him (see Ps. 111:10; see also "The Fear of the Lord" at Gen. 20:11). Knowledge in the moral and religious sense of Proverbs is possible only if one has a proper regard for God (see Job 28:28 and note). Fools are contrasted to the wise man throughout the book.
1:8—9:18 A picture of the value of wisdom. Wisdom is personified as a woman pleading with men and women to pursue her. A strong contrast is developed between the fruits of pursuing wisdom and the corruption of following folly.
1:8-19 These verses encourage the son to obey his parents' instructions, and warn of the dangers of rejecting their guidance.
1:9 chains: Probably golden, a sign of honor and splendor (see Dan. 5:7).
1:12 In the OT Sheol is the realm of the dead. Pit indicates the same idea. See "Sheol" at 2 Sam. 22:6.
1:14 Fallen human nature makes it impractical and unwise for all humans to share one purse.
1:17 Even a bird is smart enough to avoid an obvious snare. Sinners are not as smart in the face of temptation.
1:18,19 The wicked actually destroy themselves because of their greed. They do not realize that the trap they set for others is a trap that will actually ensnare them. See 28:10 1:20—4:19 Wisdom's plea is important. The one who rejects that call perishes (1:32), but he who responds finds life and security (1:33).
1:20, 21 Wisdom is pictured as a woman who calls to everyone passing by the gates—major public gathering spots in ancient Near Eastern cities. This is in contrast to the prostitutes who frequented those spots, luring people to destruction. Wisdom is further personified in 3:16-18; 4:5-9; 8:1-21, 32-36; 9:1-6.
1:22 The simple ones lack discernment and are easily led astray. Moreover, they are often obstinate in their lack of discernment (v. 25). Fools are those who consciously desert God's way (Ps. 14:1).
1:23 my spirit: The spirit of wisdom given to impart understanding (see Ex. 31:2, 3 and note).
1:24-27 you refused: Evil consequences (vv. 26, 27) follow wrong decisions of those who reject wisdom's invitation (w. 24;25).
1:24-26 stretched out my hand: As the Lord reaches out to a rebellious people, so wisdom does to these fools (see Is. 65:2 and note). Similarly, both the Lord and wisdom laugh at the foolishness of those who imagine that their way is better than the divine option offered to them (see note on Ps.2:4-6).
1:28 God's call must be heeded when given, not merely at one's convenience (see Heb. 3:12-15).
1:30-32 See vv. 24-28 and note. The complacency (v. 32) of the fools blinds them to the reality that they will eventually face the consequences of their own way and fancies (v. 31). See vv. 18, 19 and note.
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HERE WE START TO SEE THE MANY “GENERAL STATEMENTS” IN THIS BOOK OF PROVERBS. IN FACT GENERAL STATEMENTS ARE USED THROUGHOUT MANY PARTS OF THE BIBLE. IT IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO CORRECT BIBLE READING. WE SEE A GENERAL STATEMENT AS USED IN VERSES 8 AND 9. IT HAS TO BE UNDERSTOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF A FATHER AND MOTHER FOLLOWING THE LORD - IT IS SILLY TO THINK EVERY FATHER AND MOTHER MUST BE OBEYED, THAT THEY ALL HAVE GOOD INSTRUCTION AND THE RIGHT LAW. LIFE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS HAS SHOWN US THAT IS NOT TRUE OF EVERY FATHER AND MOTHER. THIS IS A GENERAL STATEMENT - THOSE PARENTS WHO HAVE TRUE INSTRUCTIONS AND LAWS, SHOULD BE LISTENED TO - BE WISE AND TAKE THE GOOD THEY HAVE, IT WILL BE LIKE A FINE PIECE OF JEWELRY FOR YOU
Keith Hunt
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Wisdom's Call
20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.
21 She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city.
22 She speaks her words; How long, you simple ones, will you love Simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge.
23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke.
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.
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