OT Survey II Proverbs

The Doctrine of Wisdom “As stated earlier, wisdom means being skillful and successful in one’s relationships and responsibilities. It involves observing and following the Creator’s principles of order in the moral universe. This order manifests God’s wisdom, which is available to man. So to the extent man follows this order, he is wise. Heeding the wisdom of the book of Proverbs, then, brings harmony to one’s life. By contrast, failure to heed God’s divine design results in disorder. Lack of compliance with God’s wise ways brings unpleasant and disastrous consequences” (Roy Zuck, A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, pp ). “As stated earlier, wisdom means being skillful and successful in one’s relationships and responsibilities. It involves observing and following the Creator’s principles of order in the moral universe. This order manifests God’s wisdom, which is available to man. So to the extent man follows this order, he is wise. Heeding the wisdom of the book of Proverbs, then, brings harmony to one’s life. By contrast, failure to heed God’s divine design results in disorder. Lack of compliance with God’s wise ways brings unpleasant and disastrous consequences” (Roy Zuck, A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, pp ).

The Nature of Proverbs “A proverb is a brief saying that is used to communicate much truth. In a concise, striking way, truth is expressed as to be caught by the mind and retained by the memory” (Benware, p. 174). “A proverb is a brief saying that is used to communicate much truth. In a concise, striking way, truth is expressed as to be caught by the mind and retained by the memory” (Benware, p. 174). These are observations on life that are generally true, not ironclad promises. These are observations on life that are generally true, not ironclad promises. Proverbs deals with generalities; Job and Ecclesiastes deal with the exceptions. Proverbs deals with generalities; Job and Ecclesiastes deal with the exceptions.

Date and Authorship Like the Psalms, the Book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings that was gathered together through time. Like the Psalms, the Book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings that was gathered together through time. While the major contributor to this collection was Solomon ( B.C.), other contributors include Agur and King Lemuel. There are also a number of anonymous sayings. While the major contributor to this collection was Solomon ( B.C.), other contributors include Agur and King Lemuel. There are also a number of anonymous sayings. The final edition appears to have been compiled in the days of Hezekiah (c. 690 B.C.). The final edition appears to have been compiled in the days of Hezekiah (c. 690 B.C.).

Background on Solomon 1 Kings 3:3-14; 4:29-34; Ecclesiastes 12:9-11

Four Assumptions of Solomon’s Worldview (from Hear, My Son: Teaching & Learning in Proverbs 1 – 9 by Daniel J. Estes) Creation: The universe is Yahweh’s creation. Creation: The universe is Yahweh’s creation. Because Yahweh created the world in a purposeful way, the world is not random and meaningless. The order that God established when he made the world provides the ground for human significance in the world. Because Yahweh created the world in a purposeful way, the world is not random and meaningless. The order that God established when he made the world provides the ground for human significance in the world. Order: Yahweh is sovereignly controlling the world. Order: Yahweh is sovereignly controlling the world. There is a predictable relationship between acts and consequences which holds true in most situations in life. This order encouraged the search by wise teachers to regulate life in accordance with the intrinsic order of the universe. There is a predictable relationship between acts and consequences which holds true in most situations in life. This order encouraged the search by wise teachers to regulate life in accordance with the intrinsic order of the universe. Rationality: Yahweh’s world is knowable, but also mysterious. Rationality: Yahweh’s world is knowable, but also mysterious. Because Yahweh created the world and he is sovereignly controlling it, the world is knowable, at least in part. The universe manifests intelligent design in its order. This fact is the foundation for human understanding in the cosmos. Because Yahweh created the world and he is sovereignly controlling it, the world is knowable, at least in part. The universe manifests intelligent design in its order. This fact is the foundation for human understanding in the cosmos. Fear of Yahweh: Humans must reverence Yahweh in their lives. Fear of Yahweh: Humans must reverence Yahweh in their lives. The fear of Yahweh is an implication of his creation of the universe. Because Yahweh alone fashioned the world, all of life proceeds from him. Yahweh, then, is the foundational authority for the whole ethical system of wisdom. The fear of Yahweh is an implication of his creation of the universe. Because Yahweh alone fashioned the world, all of life proceeds from him. Yahweh, then, is the foundational authority for the whole ethical system of wisdom.

Structure The Purpose of Proverbs(1:1-7) The Purpose of Proverbs(1:1-7) A Father’s Reflection on the Way of Wisdom(1:8 – 9:28) A Father’s Reflection on the Way of Wisdom(1:8 – 9:28) Discourses on Wisdom(1:8 – 4:27) Discourses on Wisdom(1:8 – 4:27) Instructions on Marriage & Warnings Against Adultery(5 – 7) Instructions on Marriage & Warnings Against Adultery(5 – 7) Wisdom Personified; Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (8 – 9) Wisdom Personified; Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (8 – 9) Proverbs of Solomon(10:1 – 22:16) Proverbs of Solomon(10:1 – 22:16) Proverbs Contrasting the Godly and the Wicked (10:1 – 15:33) Proverbs Contrasting the Godly and the Wicked (10:1 – 15:33) Proverbs Encouraging Godly Lives(16:1 – 22:16) Proverbs Encouraging Godly Lives(16:1 – 22:16) Anonymous Wise Sayings(22:17 – 24:22) Anonymous Wise Sayings(22:17 – 24:22) More Anonymous Wise Sayings(24:23-34) More Anonymous Wise Sayings(24:23-34) Proverbs of Solomon Copied by Hezekiah’s Men (25:1 – 29:27) Proverbs of Solomon Copied by Hezekiah’s Men (25:1 – 29:27) Proverbs Regulating Relationships with Others(25:1 – 26:28) Proverbs Regulating Relationships with Others(25:1 – 26:28) Proverbs Regulating Various Activities(27:1 – 29:27) Proverbs Regulating Various Activities(27:1 – 29:27) The Words of Augur(30:1-33) The Words of Augur(30:1-33) The Words of King Lemuel(31:1-31) The Words of King Lemuel(31:1-31) Wisdom for Leaders(31:1-9) Wisdom for Leaders(31:1-9) The Excellent Wife(31:10-31) The Excellent Wife(31:10-31)

Major Topics in Proverbs God’s Sovereignty and Judgment God’s Sovereignty and Judgment “Fear of the Lord” “Fear of the Lord” Wisdom vs. Foolishness/Godly vs. Wicked Wisdom vs. Foolishness/Godly vs. Wicked Pride vs Humility Pride vs Humility Speech Speech Diligence Diligence Self-control Self-control Finances Finances Relationships Relationships Kings Kings Wives Wives Children/Child rearing Children/Child rearing Neighbors Neighbors Friends Friends

The Fool Family How long, O naïve ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? (Pro 1:22). How long, O naïve ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? (Pro 1:22). Levels of foolishness in Proverbs (notes from NET Bible): Levels of foolishness in Proverbs (notes from NET Bible): The “naïve” or “simpleton” - easily enticed and misled (1:32; 7:7; 9:6; 22:3; 27:12); believes everything, including bad counsel (14:15); lacks moral prudence (8:5; 19:25); needs discernment (21:11); but is capable of learning (9:4, 16). This is the "wide-eyed youth" who is headed for trouble unless he listens to the counsel of wisdom. The “naïve” or “simpleton” - easily enticed and misled (1:32; 7:7; 9:6; 22:3; 27:12); believes everything, including bad counsel (14:15); lacks moral prudence (8:5; 19:25); needs discernment (21:11); but is capable of learning (9:4, 16). This is the "wide-eyed youth" who is headed for trouble unless he listens to the counsel of wisdom. “Fool” – a moral and spiritual dullard, by his own choice. His problem is not mental, but spiritual. No desire for wisdom or correction. “Fool” – a moral and spiritual dullard, by his own choice. His problem is not mental, but spiritual. No desire for wisdom or correction. “Scoffer” - cynical and defiant freethinker who ridicules the righteous and everything for which he stands. “Scoffer” - cynical and defiant freethinker who ridicules the righteous and everything for which he stands. Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge (Prov 19:25). Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge (Prov 19:25).

Purpose Statement Proverbs is a collection of wisdom teaching that is given as exhortation and instruction to the naïve young man, so that he might walk in wisdom. Proverbs is a collection of wisdom teaching that is given as exhortation and instruction to the naïve young man, so that he might walk in wisdom. This purpose is very clearly spelled out in the opening verses (1:1-7). This purpose is very clearly spelled out in the opening verses (1:1-7).

Next Time: Ecclesiastes