Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Sunday, August 5, 2012

Introduction to the Book of Proverbs

I. Name of the Book: “Proverb” - the Hebrew noun מָשָׁל - MASHAL, defined as “a saying, proverb, wisdom saying or even a mocking song”.

2 nd definition is, “to rule, govern, have dominion, and to make someone ruler over something”. (e.g., Psa 8:6; Dan 11:39)

A proverb was to warn against hazardous behavior and to promote wisdom resulting in social harmony among individuals and the community.

Therefore, these proverbs are intended by God for you to be able to take possession of and rule over your own soul.

II. Authorship: The entire book of Proverbs is the collection of Solomon but not necessarily his own personal writings. Cf. 1 Kings 4:32

He wrote 1:1 - 9:18; 10:1 - 22:16; 25:1 - 29:27. Unnamed wise men (sages) wrote other parts 22: :34. Verses are ascribed to an Agur and Lemuel who we know nothing about.

III. Characteristics: MASHAL, also means “a comparison”, and is used for any sage or moralistic pronouncement. cf. Ezek 18:2; Psa 49:4

It tells us how to live a godly life here on earth and how to be assured of reward in the life to come.

They are not just popular sayings but a distillation of wisdom from those who knew the law of God as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write them.

Contents: The theme is wisdom and includes instruction on folly, sin, goodness, wealth, poverty, the tongue, pride, humility, justice, vengeance, strife, gluttony, love, lust, laziness, friends, the family, life, and death.

Proverbs must not to be considered unconditional promises from God but as pragmatic principles or procedures to follow.

They are not “legal guarantees from God” but rather “poetic guidelines for good behavior”.

Prov 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Certain proverbs that make amoral observations (e.g., 14:20; 17:8) must not be seen as condoning or encouraging evil.

Some proverbs may always be true. Frequently these are connected to an attribute or action of God. Prov 11:1; 12:22; 15:3; 16:2, 33; 22:2

Psa 11:1, “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.”

Date of the Book: Solomon reigned from 971 to 931 B.C. and Hezekiah from 715 to 686 B.C. The earliest the book could have been in its final form was in Hezekiah’s day.

Proverbs 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:1-7 Vs. 2 - the kind of material; proverbial form to encourage the mind to slow down and compare. Each couplet serves as a kind of thesis for discussion among the sages.

Vs. 3–5 expand verse 2a, while verse 6 gives a fuller explanation of verse 2b.

“Wisdom” - חָכְמָה – CHOKHMAH, “Wisdom, skill, skillful, prudent, good sense, experienced living, general or Godly wisdom”.

The First Objective of Proverbs is to show a person how to become clever and skillful at the greatest skill of all, the skill of living.

The Second Objective is to impart understanding of wisdom, vs. 2b, 6.

Communion

Grace Offering

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday, August 5, 2012 Tape # Introduction to Proverbs, Part 1 The Wisdom of God Proverbs 1:1-7; 11:1; 22:6 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2012