Introduction to the Book of Proverbs
We all want to be successful in life. What that means to be successful can vary based on one’s own standards, field of work, or the one set by culture. But Biblically speaking, success in life is found by living out the Truths given to us by God in His Word. That is the purpose of the book of Proverbs.
The book of Proverbs is written as a father instructing his son on how to choose the right path in life. There are two conflicting worldviews in the proverbs to choose from: Wisdom/Folly, Good/Pseudo-Good, and Life/Death. Knowing that life is a battle between these two worldviews brings urgency to knowing the truth as it helps prepare us how to navigate the battle.
First, what is a proverb?
A proverb is a sentence constructed in parallel. There are five different kinds of Hebrew parallelisms in the book of Proverbs, but they each have a main purpose: they seek to move the reader to meditate on its truths and observations in order to choose the successful path.
A proverb can be thought of as “college in a cup.” It is wisdom that you can carry with you as you walk though life.
If you read a chapter a day, you will get through the Proverbs, 12 times in a year, will obtain instruction daily on how to live a successful life, and it will help keep you from steering to the right or left from God’s Truth.
After all, that is the guideline God gave the king to do in Deuteronomy 17:18-20. And we should all desire to rule the domain God has given each of us, with truth, excellence, and a long life.
“When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the word of this instruction and the statutes. Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel…”
The Purpose of the Proverbs
The purpose of the book is laid out in 1:2-6. This is where we will be spending our time. We will consider each of these ten words that the proverbs give us; and what they yield in the life of the one who puts them into practice. Let’s get into it!
1:2 “To show wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding.”
Wisdom is the first promised result. The basic meaning of the word is “skill” in living. Success is found in possessing this skill. The Messiah was promised, in the Old Testament, to possess this wisdom (Jeremiah 23:5). The one who possesses the “mind of Christ” also can have this wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:16). This skill may be in craftsmanship; with the hands (Exodus 31:6), in organization (1 Kings 3:28), and in counseling others (2 Samuel 20:22).
Instruction is also guaranteed. An alternative translation is “discipline.” This discipline comes by education through correction. This is something that parents ought to do for their kids (Proverbs 22:6). This is also something that the Lord does for His children (Hebrews 12:6). Reading through the Proverbs is not comfortable but it is profitable. It may step on your toes, but in doing so, it will discipline you and keep your feet in the right path when you walk in their light.
Understanding refers to the knowledge of something and the faculty that enables you to come to that knowledge. These proverbs will teach you things that you will learn nowhere else. In addition, ‘understanding’ may also refer to the very object of knowledge just as Job asked where the place of understanding comes from (Job 28:12, 20).
Truth is not relative. It should seem obvious, but there is right and wrong, truth and error, understanding and stupidity. The Truth which the book of Proverbs provides, helps us understand ultimate truth for living which comes from the fear of the LORD (1:7, 2:5, 9:10, etc)
Discernment is the path to this understanding. Discernment is the ability to look at two things and see what God sees. To seek God, is to find wisdom; to seek wisdom is to find God. To arrive at the knowledge of God and acquiring wisdom requires choices. These choices though difficult sometimes, must be based upon the revelation of God and not personal whim (2:1-6).
1:3 “To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;”
Those who heed the proverbs will receive instruction in wise behavior. The word for ‘instruction’ is the same as the previous verse. The Hebrew word for ‘wise behavior’ is roughly synonymous with the word ‘discernment.’ However, the difference is that Discernment means to distinguish between two things. Wise Behavior refers to an understanding of the reason for the distinction that is made. You might also translate it as “insight.”
“Feeding on the proverbs not only helps you distinguish God’s choice in any situation, but why it is His choice.”
Proverbs – John A. Kitchen, pg. 39
This insight reveals the Trio of Moral Qualities: Righteousness, Justice, and Equity (See Proverbs 2:9 and Philippians 4:8). In any circumstance in life, the wisest course of action is to bring your life into conformity with the actions and character of God.
1:4 “To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion.”
Prudence can be used negatively, such as craftily (Exodus 21:14); or positively as in this case. Those who are naive and gullible fall trap to every wind of doctrine or influence that come their way. In the world where “Influencers” are dominating the social platforms, it is more crucial that one obtains prudence. This prudence is a judgment or ability to see what is influencing their life and avoiding the pitfall they may bring.
Knowledge is given to the youth, just as prudence is given to the naive or gullible. This knowledge brings a heightened awareness to the truth of God. What normally takes years to achieve by experience or the senses, the proverbs offers the immature youth (or adult in some cases) a fast track to successful living.
Discretion in the book of Proverbs is wisdom’s ability to protect its possessor from the harm brought on by foolishly following through with an ill-advised plan. Discretion gives the ability to form a practical plan of action and see it to its end.
1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,”
We are never fully wise no matter how smart or “seasoned” we believe we are. Another benefit the Proverbs bring us is that those who already possess a degree of wisdom can gain additional ‘learning’. Those who are mature in wisdom can “seize” or “take” as the root word means, an ever increasing ability to grasp the wisdom of God with their minds, as it relates to their particular circumstances.
Wise counsel is another benefit from reading the Proverbs, which the man of understand seeks. The Hebrew behind ‘wise counsel’ is related to the word for ‘cord’ or ‘rope.’ It is a metaphor from the world of sea navigation. A sailor would pull on the ropes to steer a ship and keep it on a true course.
“The one who rightly discerns the things of God will, by continuing to study these Proverbs, be able to steer a safe and true course through life.”
1:6 “To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The word for ‘understand’ is the same word in verse two as ‘discern.’ There are four expressions which the Proverbs describes are in the book:
Proverbs – the term which the book is comprised of.
Figures – a saying which speaks indirectly to an issue. The wise person is able is able to sense more than the obvious with a ‘figure of speech.’
Words of the wise – means that the discerning do not take the wisdom of everyone, but only those who have acquired God’s wisdom.
In Summary
Learning and practicing the truths found in the book of Proverbs will set you up for a successful life. You will be able to know certain things (v. 2); to discern God’s path (v. 3); to receive the knowledge of God’s ways (v. 3). These Proverbs will give what the naive and immature need (v.4); will increase what the wise have (v. 5); and will enable its students to understand God’s mind (v. 6).
“To possess the fear of the Lord is to embrace reality. When one truly seeks wisdom he will find God; when one seeks God, he will find wisdom,” (see Proverbs 2:5).
“My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call understanding your intimate friend” (Proverbs 7:1-4).
For Further Study
- “Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary” by John A. Kitchen
This is one of the best commentaries I have found on the book of Proverbs and would recommend it to anyone who wants to obtain a deep look into the book. You can buy it on Amazon by following this link.
- “How to Study the Bible for All It’s Worth” [Article]
- “Why Religion Is Good For Us.” [Article]