1. An Introduction to Proverbs The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom May 8, 2016 Through the Bible in a Year Xavier Reyna, Director Ben Compere, Editor Wayman Lim, Choir Director Susan Turner, Prayer Warrior “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10

2. The Lesson of Proverbs Lesson Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, can be taught and passed on from one generation to the next. “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10

3. Proverbs are Wisdom Literature Canon “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10

4. What is a Proverb? A Working Definition Proverbs “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10 A short saying proven true by experience

5. Limitations of Proverbs They are generalizations. Exceptions exist. They are not commands or promises. Only the truly wise person knows how and when to apply them. Proverbs “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10

6. The Two Themes of Proverbs are Related: “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10 Theme Wisdom The fear of the Lord The Fear of the Lord is the Foundation of Wisdom

7. The Heart of Hebrew Poetry Is a Device Called Parallelism In simple terms parallelism is “rhyming with thoughts” Hebrew Poetry “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10

8. Proverbs Contains Four Types of Parallelism Synonymous Antithetic Synthetic Comparative Hebrew Poetry “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10 “Thus, to read Proverbs well, one must understand how to read poetry.” Tremper Longman III, “Proverbs”

9. Analysis of Proverbs Three Courses of Wisdom I.Prologue: Title and Purpose (1:1-7) II.Proverbs 101: Preamble to Proverbs (1:8-9:18) III.Proverbs 201: Beginning Proverbs (10:1-22:16) IV.Proverbs 301: Advanced Proverbs (22:17-31:9) V.Epilogue: The Wise Woman (31:10-31) Structure “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10

10. Proverbs’ 3-Part Course of Study Structure “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10 Proverbs 101: Introduction to Wisdom Chapters 1-9 Proverbs 201: Basic Proverbs Chapters 10-22 Proverbs 301: Advanced Proverbs Chapters 22-31 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Simple individual proverbial sayings More complex nuanced and symbolic proverbial sayings

11. Tips for Using Proverbs READ: Slowly, proverbs are poetry LISTEN: have someone read them to you STUDY: use helps MEMORIZE: pick a poetic Bible version MEDITATE: give them deep thought Proverbs & Me “…poetry is to be read reflectively and not quickly.” Tremper Longman III, “How to Read the Psalms” “The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom...” Proverbs 9:10