THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
AN OVERVIEW

DESCRIPTION & COMMENTS: Proverbs are brief, wise sayings that express truth about human behavior. Proverbs are practical advice, not theological teachings. Their intent is to make the reader wise. They have been in use by people, especially rulers and wise men, since the beginning of time. David, Solomon and others who followed in the Jewish tradition acknowledged how God fits into the teachings. Proverbs have life figured out and give us answers to the question, "what should I do in this situation?"

The letters, "WWJD", are an abbreviation of the question, "What would Jesus do? Recently, we have been taught to react or respond to situations by asking this question, then doing what we think Jesus would have done in the same or similar circumstance. I suggest another abbreviation that values the wisdom of Proverbs. It is "WDPT", standing for "What does Proverbs teach?" I'm not suggesting this is a better abbreviation, just another valuable one. I have great confidence that what Jesus did is what Proverbs taught. Put simply, Proverbs teaches that as we learn this Biblical wisdom and apply it, we live long and prosperous lives.

SIGNIFIGANCE: Many Jews stand-up or rise when the Law or Prophets are read in public. This has been their practice for thousands of years, (See Nehemiah 8:1-6). I'm told that Jewish believers do not stand-up for historical, poetic, or wisdom books, yet these books are held in high regard by them and are considered to be Scripture.

WISDOM CLASSIFICATIONS

First, the New Testament teaches that there are two kinds of wisdom, as follows;

  • Worldly wisdom is sensual, devilish, and earthly. (See James 3:15)
  • Godly wisdom or wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (See James 3:17-18)

Second, according to Strong's Concordance, there are 10 Hebrew and 2 Greek words interpreted as wisdom in Holy Scriptures. Cruden's Concordance describes wisdom with the following introduction, "The word is used not only for learning, but for skill in arts, the instinct of birds and beasts; discretion; and spiritual insight". The following descriptions are useful in understanding different aspects of wisdom.

  • There is a wisdom about the 'big picture', ultimate truth, eternal values (See Proverbs 8:12-36 where wisdom is personified).
  • There is a wisdom where the application of practical guidelines, using common sense, and following instructions results in brilliant decisions. (See John 8:1-11).
  • There is wisdom regarding effective problem solving. It's about the ability to gather and interpret relevant facts and coming to wise decisions. (See 1 Kings 3:16-28).

Third, characteristics possessed by those who would be wise are;

  • Be a seeker of wisdom, desirous of its manifold benefits,
  • Be teachable and willing to learn,
  • Be disciplined in learning,
  • Use the common sense you have already been given,
  • Know how to deal wisely with others, and,
  • Be clever or shrewd in dealing with life's challenges, (not manipulative or deceitful).

THERE'S MORE

The Book of Wisdom from the Apocrypha gives more insight into this marvelous attribute. Especially, read Chapters 6-9, where Solomon describes where wisdom originated, how to obtain wisdom, and her benefits.

Further, we read that wisdom is better than silver, gold, and rubies, (Proverbs 3:13). Wisdom is better than strength according to Ecclesiastes 9:16, and, "wisdom is the principal thing", (Proverbs 4:7).

When Solomon was asked what request he had of God as he prepared to be King over God's Kingdom and people, Solomon asked for wisdom to rule. (See 1 Kings 3:5-16) A spiritual principle taught here is that when we apply God's wisdom in our lives, all or many of life's blessings will come our way.

The gift of wisdom is the first of 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.

THE BEST WAY OF UNDERSTANDING WISDOM

Jesus embodies the wisdom of God according to 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30, and is the One "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" in Colossians 2:3. He was unmatched in using parables and metaphors to teach. He understood war and weather, fishing and farming, hills and homes in such a way that He would talk with ease about them as He taught about His Father's Kingdom. Whether it was a Jewish ruler, a Roman Centurion, a woman from Caanan, a leper from Samaria, He was approachable and affable to young and old alike. He is wisdom personified. For Christian believers, that sums up wisdom perfectly.

There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Read one chapter each day, and in a year, you will have read through Proverbs twelve times. Imagine how much wiser you'll be. Your family and friends will be impressed.

Finally, modern proverbs have an ancient root from which they grow. A helpful proverb today is, "There is no greater handicap than a bad attitude." Do you see how this proverb has its root in, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth up the bones". There are many others. You probably use a few modern parables that are based on ancient truth.

May your study be enriching and may living on the 'wise side' be your destiny.


MKC
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