Graphics of Proverbs
Vital statistics| Purpose: | To teach people how to attain wisdom, discipline, and prudent life, and how to do what is right, just, and fair (1:2, 3) - in short, to apply divine wisdom to daily life and to provide moral instruction | | Author: | Solomon wrote most of this book, with Agur and Lemuel contributing some of the later sections. | | Original audience: | The people of Israel | | Date written: | Solomon wrote and compiled most of these proverbs early in his reign. | | Setting: | This is a book wise saying, a textbook for teaching people how to live godly live through the repetition of wise thoughts. | | Key verse: | "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (12:7) | | Special features: | The book uses varied literary forms: poems, brief parables, pointed questions, and couplets. Other literary devices include antithesis, comparison, and personification. |
Wisdom in Proverbs 8
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The Origin of Wisdom |
The Results of Wisdom |
The Value of Wisdom |
Comes from God Himself (8:22).
Is from everlasting (8:23).
Has existed from the beginning (8:23–30). |
Prudence (8:5, 12).
Understanding (8:5).
Excellent things (8:6).
Truth (8:7).
Hatred of wickedness (8:7).
Righteousness (8:8).
Knowledge (8:12).
Discretion (8:12).
Fear of the Lord (8:13). |
Yields riches and honor (8:11, 18).
Is greater than rubies, gold, or silver (8:10–11, 19).
Blesses the wise (8:32, 34).
Gives life to the wise (8:35). |
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Pr 8.10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Four Kinds of Fools in Proverbs
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The Simple |
The Scoffer |
The Arrogant |
The Rebel |
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This person can’t tell the difference between truth and falsehood. Because he lacks direction, he is headed for a fall. |
This person laughs at wisdom and toys with wickedness. Warned of the consequences of pursuing evil, he says, “It won’t happen to me. ” |
This person willfully ignores wisdom and lives unto himself. He has no interest in whether something is good or bad. All that matters is, “What’s in it for me?” |
This person actually hates wisdom. He so totally rejects it that he could be said to be an aggressive unbeliever. |
Loves simplicity (1:22).
Is devoid of understanding(7:7).
Is gullible (9:4, 16; 14:15). |
Delights in scorning (1:22).
Shames and hates those who try to correct him (9:7–8; 15:12).
Refuses to listen to a rebuke (13:1).
Searches for wisdom on his own—in vain (14:6).
Is proud and haughty (21:24).
Causes contention and strife (22:10). |
Hates knowledge (1:22).
Makes a sport out of doing evil (10:23).
Proclaims foolishness to others (12:23; 13:16).
Rages at instruction and is self-confident (14:16).
Despises his parents (15:20).
Is more dangerous than an angry bear (17:12).
Likes to give his opinion rather than learn (18:2).
Despises wisdom (23:9).
Is wise in his own eyes (26:5). |
Despises wisdom and instruction (1:7).
Is sure that he is right (12:15).
Mocks the idea of sin (14:9).
Despises his parents’ instruction (15:5).
Tries self-correction that is folly (16:22).
Quarrels easily (20:3). |
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Gn 1.1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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Wisdom Cries Out
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Wisdom is personified in the Proverbs and acts as God’s dynamic Word. In the N.T., Jesus becomes the Wisdom and Word of God. |
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Origin of Wisdom |
Teaching of Wisdom |
Value of Wisdom |
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In God (v. 22)
From everlasting (v. 23) Before all things (vv. 23–30) |
Prudence (vv. 5, 12)
Understanding (v. 5)
Excellent things (v. 6)
Truth (v. 7)
Hatred of wickedness (v. 7)
Righteousness (v. 8)
Knowledge (v. 12)
Discretion (v. 12)
Fear of the Lord (v. 13) |
Yields riches and honor
(v. 18)
Greater than gold and
silver (v. 19)
The wise are blessed
(vv. 32, 34)
The wise find life (v. 35)
The foolish love death (v. 36) |
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Pr 7.2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Understanding Proverbs
| Type | Description | Key Word (s) | Examples | | Contrasting | Meaning and application come from the differences or contrast between the two statements of the proverb. | "but" | 10:3; 14:11, 18 | | Comparing | Meaning and application come from the similarities or comparison between the two statements of the proverb | "as/so"
"better/than"
"like" | 15:16, 17; 22:7; 25:25 | | Complementing | Meaning and application come from the way the second statement complements the first. | "and" | 14:10, 17; 23:22 |
The Blueprint
A. WISDOM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (1:1-9:18)
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Solomon instructed the young people of his day like a father giving advice to his child. While many of these proverbs are directed toward young people, the principles supporting them are helpful to all believers, male and female, young and old. Anyone beginning his or her journey to discover more of wisdom will benefit greatly from these wise sayings.
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B. WISDOM FOR ALL PEOPLE (10:1-24:34)
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Solomon wanted to impart wisdom to all people, regardless of their are, sex, or position in society. These short, wise saying give us practical wisdom for daily living. We should study them diligently and integrate them into our lives.
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C. WISDOM FOR THE LEADERS (25:1-31:31)
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In addition to the proverbs that Solomon collected, the advisers of Hezekiah collected many proverbs that Solomon and others wrote. While most of these are general in nature, many are directed specifically to the king and those who dealt with the king. These are particularly useful for leaders or those who aspire to be leaders.
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Things God hates
The book of Proverbs notes 14 types of people and actions that God hates. Let these be guidelines of what we are not to be and do!
- Violent people
- Haughtiness, lying, murdering, scheming, eagerness to do wrong, false witness, stirring up discord
- Those who are untruthful
- The sacrifice of the wicked
- The way of the wicked
- Evil plans
- Those who are proud
- Those who judge unjustly
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- Proverbs 3:31, 32
- Proverbs 6:16-19
- Proverbs 12:22
- Proverbs 15:8
- Proverbs 15:9
- Proverbs 15:26
- Proverbs 16:5
- Proverbs 17:15
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God's advice about money
Proverbs gives some practical instruction on the use of money, although sometimes it is advice we would rather not hear. It's more comfortable to continue in our habits than to learn how to use money more wisely. The advice includes:
- Be generous in giving
- Place people's needs ahead of profit
- Be cautious of countersigning for another
- Don't accept bribes
- Help the poor
- Store up for the future
- Be careful about borrowing
- Other verses to study include
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- 11:24,25; 22:9
- 11:26
- 17:18; 22:26,27
- 17:23
- 19:17; 21:13
- 21:20
- 22:7
- 11:15; 20:16; 25:14; 27:13
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Righteousness and wickedness
Proverbs often compares the lifestyles of the wicked and the righteous, and makes a strong case for living by God's pattern. The advantages of righteous living and the disadvantages of wicked living are pointed out. The kind of person we decide to be will affect every area of our lives.
| Outlook of life | Righteous | Wicked | Reference | | Hopeful
Concerned about the welfare of God's creation
Understand justice
Showered with blessings
Proceed with care
Persevere against evil
Seek out the honest
| Fearful
Even their kindness is cruel
Don't understand justice
Covered with violence
Plot evil
Put up a bod front
Brought down by calamity
Hate the honest | 10:24
12:10
28:5
10:6
16:30
21:29
24:15, 16
29:10
| | Are respected
Walk a straight rod
Are not yo desire the company of godless people
Others are glad when they succeed
Care for the poor
Despise the unjust | Headed for destruction
Lead others into sin
Walk a crooked road
Plot violence
Others hide when they rise to power
Unconcerned about the poor
Despise the godly | 13:15
16:29
21:8
24:1, 2
28:12
29:7
29:27
| | Quality of life | Stand firm
Rescued by godliness
No real harm befalls them
Income results in treasure
Avoid evil
Are bold as lions
Will be rescued | Swept away
Trapped by evil ambitions
Constant trouble befalls them
Income results in trouble
Will not prosper
Are fearful constantly
Will be suddenly destroyed | 10:25
11:6
12:21
15:6
16:17
17:20
28:1
28:18 | | Short-term results | Walk safely
Chased by blessings | Will be exposed
Chased by trouble | 10:9
13:21 | | Long-term results | God protects them
Evil people will bow to them | God destroys
Will bow to the righteous
Will be punished for rebellion | 10:29
14:19
17:11 | | Eternal expectations | Never disturbed
Reward will last
Find life
Look forward to reward
Will stand firm
Have a refuge when they die | Removed from the land
Reward will not last
Find death
Look forward to judgment
Will die and disappear
Crushed by their sins | 10:30
11:18
11:19
11:23
12:7
14:32 | | God's opinion of them | Delights in those with integrity | Detests those with crooked hearts | 11:20 |
Parallels between the Law and Wisdom
Law and wisdom both had secular functions outside of Israel, but are transformed into spiritual concepts in Israel by God's revealed relationship to them.
SPIRITUAL
FOUNDATION:
God is source |
LAW
"Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy (Lev 19:2) |
WISDOM
"The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom" (Pr 9:10) |
MOTIVATION:
Only a God-centered perspective
gives ultimate value. |
Not just so that society runs
smoothly, but so that we will do
what is right.
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Not pursued for personal
fulfillment, but so that we
become people of faith |
FOCUS OF GOD'S
SELF-REVELATION
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God is characterized by absolute
morality. |
God is characterized by
unfathomable wisdom. |
Proverbs Overview
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