The word “Proverbs” means,”to be Like.” It is a book of comparison, comparing one thing to another. They are moral statements or illustrations, it shows us God’s principles, truths about life and help guide us. It is written by king Solomon{1:1]. It shows us about living practical righteousness {1:3} and how to live as God intended when He made us {Psalm 90:1-2,12}.
Proverbs 1-29. Contrasts, compares, the foolishness of a person versus the Wisdom of God in teaching His people concerning His Wisdom who apply His Word of wisdom to us.
Proverbs teaches upright living which come out of a right relationship with God-1:3. In 4:1-4 Solomon connected three generations. What he learned from David and Bathsheba he passes on to his son Rehoboam. It is practical. Proverbs shows the principles and applications to truth of how the Godly are to live on a day to day basis.
It is seeing the world through they eyes of God from His Word.
Proverbs calls us to consider how we think and live, choices we make in light of the Scripture.
“A final area of challenge comes in understanding that proverbs are divine guidelines and wise observations, i.e., teaching underlying principles (24:3, 4) which are not always inflexible laws or absolute promises. These expressions of general truth (cf. 10:27; 22:4) generally do have “exceptions,” due to the uncertainty of life and unpredictable behavior of fallen men. God does not guarantee uniform outcome or application for each proverb, but in studying them and applying them, one comes to contemplate the mind of God, His character, His attributes, His works, and His blessings. All of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge expressed in Proverbs are hidden in Christ (Col. 2:3). “-{John MacArthur}
Proverbs has us live thinking and considering “the fear of the Lord” and living wisely as a result. {1:7;9:10}. The “fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” The fear of the LORD is mentioned many times, including -Proverbs 1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10;14:26,27; 15:16.
“The book reveals a Godly perspective and is addressed to the “naive” and “young” who need to learn the fear of God. Solomon also wrote Psalms 72 and 127, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.”-{John MacArthur.}
Two major themes are Wisdom and Foolishness. FOOLISHNESS is everything that is opposite to GODLY WISDOM. Foolish are those who disregard God’s Word. He says they are “corrupt,”-{Read Psalm 14:1}. The fool is opposed to God, His teaching,is morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt! “… and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”-{Prov 1;32}.
“… Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord. “They would not accept My counsel, They spurned all my reproof.“-{Prov 1:29-30}. They reject HIM!
We read of fools in Proverbs,
1. The simple fool (1:4, 22; 7:7; 21:11)
2. The hardened fool (1:7; 10:23; 12:23; 17:10; 20:3; 27:22)
3. The arrogant fool (3:34; 21:24; 22:10; 29:8)
4. The Heart breaking fool (17:21; 26:3; 30:22)
The sadness a foolish child brings upon the parents, -” To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. “- {Prov 17:21}
How different are those who submit to Him and apply His Wisdom
Wisdom is God’s Gift. -“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come
knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; ” [2:6-7}
1.Wisdom Protects – (2:8).
2.Wisdom Direct – (3:5-6)
3. Wisdom Projects. – (4:18). It is Distinguishable . Solomon shares with his son, why wisdom is the wise choice.
There is a terrible price when you chose to reject The Wisdom God imparts!- (1:24-28). One way is through The snare of the harlot (7:6-27); “Fools suffer shame-{Prov 3:35}.
In comparison is the practical application of The virtuous woman (31)
The pre-creation activities of Christ (8:22-31)
Wisdom includes knowledge, understanding, discretion, obedience, as a result of choosing to build your life on “the fear of the LORD” and the Word of God. The call of Proverbs is a call to wisdom, and the father tells the child “If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God, for the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” -{Prov 2;4.}
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”-{Prov 9;10}
Outline
I. Introduction (1:1–7)
A. Title “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:” -(1:1)
B. Purpose of Proverbs – “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.” – (1:2–6)
C. Theme of Proverbs – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”- (1:7)
Praise and Wisdom to the Young (1:8–9:18)
Proverbs of Wisdom for Everyone (10:1–29:27)
Personal Notes (30:1–31:31)
A. From Agur (30:1–33)
B. From Lemuel (31:1–31)
So, you want to be wise and not be foolish? Live in reverence to God. One aspect is to turn away from sin, evil. ” Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. “-{Prov 3:7} “…and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.” -{Prov 16:6}.
You want to honor God and be wise? To submit to God is to be wise, to reject God is to be foolish. To submit and build your life on His WORD IS TO BE WISE, TO REJECT IS TO BE FOOLISH-{Read Matt 7;24-27 }. Do you want to be wise, and live right with and before God on a daily basis?
There are TWO CHOICES you can make. One is foolish the other is the way of God and wisdom which determine the life you lead, the direction you are heading. God give His counsel to help you be wise, because He loves you, cares for you and wants the best for you and for you to Know His way. The foolish have their counsel and we are told that we are not to stand and listen to their ungodly advice{Psalm 1;1} for their ungodly ways leads them to destruction-{Prov 1:3}
The book of Proverbs gives you some practical insight in discerning wisdom from foolishness, and how to think and live daily with the mind of God applying the Word of God to each situation, circumstance, person in the wisdom God provides!