Class 12: Proverbs By: Marina K. Lam

References Talk thru the Bible, by Bruce Wilkinson, Kenneth Boa, p.47. Unleashing God’s word in Youth Ministry, by Barry Shafer, p. 253 1/20/2012

Introduction and Title The key word in Proverbs is wisdom, “the ability to live life skillfully.” A godly life in an ungodly world, however, is no simple assignment. Proverbs provides God’s detailed instructions for His people to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life: how to relate to God, parents, children, neighbors, and government. Solomon, the principal author, uses a combination of poetry, parables, pithy questions, short stories, and wise maxims to give in strikingly memorable form from the common sense and divine perspective necessary to handle life’s issues. 1/20/2012

Author According to First Kings 4:32, he spoke 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. Only about 800 of his 3000 proverbs are included in two Solomonic collections in this book. No man was better qualified than Solomon to be the principal contributor. He asked for wisdom and God granted it to him to such a degree that people from foreign lands came to hear him speak. His breadth of knowledge, aptitude, skill, and perception were extraordinary. In every area Solomon brought prosperity and glory to Israel until his latter years. 1/20/2012

Date and Setting Solomon’s proverbs were written by 932 B.C., and his proverbs in chapters 25—29 were collected by Hezekiah about 230 years later (Hezekiah reigned from 715 to 686 B.C.). Under Solomon Israel was at its spiritual, political, and economic summit. Solomon probably wrote his proverbs in his middle years, before his character began to decline into carnality, materialism, and idolatry. 1/20/2012

Theme The Theme of Proverbs is: “PR 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” To fear God is to stand in awe of His righteousness, majesty, and power and to trust Him by humbly depending upon Him. There is a reciprocal relationship here, because “the fear of the Lord is the beginning [foundation] of wisdom” (9:10), but wisdom leads to the knowledge and fear of God (2:1-5). 1/20/2012

Contribution to the Bible Proverbs along with Job and Ecclesiastes is the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. It is built upon the fear of Yahweh as the basis for practical holiness and skill in life. There is a universal and comprehensive tone in this book because it talks to everyone. The proverbs are generalized statements that are true to life even though individual cases may differ. Psalms emphasizes a walk before God and the devotional life, but Proverbs concentrates on a walk before men and the daily life. The proverbs are practical, moral and concise—they should be read very slowly in small sections: Some are humorous as well. 1/20/2012

Key Verses (Read 1:5-7) PR 1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- PR 1:6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. PR 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 1/20/2012

Key Verses (Read 3:5-6) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a] 1/20/2012

Key Chapter (31) The last chapter of Proverbs is unique in ancient literature, as it reveals a very high and noble view of women. The woman in these verse is: (1) A good woman (31:13, 15-16, 19, 25); (2) A good wife (31:11-12, 23-24); (3) A good mother (31:14-15, 18, 21, 27); (4) A good neighbor (31:20-26). Her conduct, concern, speech, and life stand in sharp contrast to the woman pictured in chapter 7. 1/20/2012