The beginning of wisdom

A proverb expresses an insight, observation, or advice that has been popularly accepted as a general truth. Indeed, a proverb can be so universally accepted as true that simply citing it is enough to end a conversation (AKA, a mike drop)

Proverbs are important because they help us to interpret different situations in life and know how to respond.

Is a Proverb always true?

A proverb is only accepted as true if applied at the right time.

Some proverbs may sound like a contradiction to another proverb. But each must be understood within its intention and context. For example in one context I may say “If you sit around all day you will become lazy” While then at another time saying “You must have rest or you will wear yourself out”. Both are true. Rest is good and work is good, but both must come at the right times

Types of Proverbs

How doe a proverb work?

Parallel of similarities where the second part of a statement sharpens and intensifies the thought of the first. “When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain” (Pro. 16:15). The second part is more vivid and figurative.

Parallelism of opposites - An antithetical parallelism. This shows a parallel of opposites rather than of similarities. “Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him.” (Prov. 14:2)

“Better than” proverbs - This shows the difference in value between two different things that could be considered good. “A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.” “Better to have little with fear from the Lord than to have great treasure with inner turmoil”. (Prov. 15:16-17)

Imagery - Compares two things that are essentially not alike. The comparison seeks to help the reader understand the more confusing part with the more recognized part. “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him.” (Prov. 10:26). We have probably gotten smoke in our eyes, we have probably had a strong taste of vinegar before. Both are unpleasant, in the same way it is like sending someone to do a task who is lazy on our behalf.

Acrostic - used commonly but hard for us to see in English

Alliteration - A sound play where you use similarly sounding words

Why should we as Christians read Proverbs?

1. Because a right relationship with the Father is necessary to listen to Him.

How many of you have a teacher you don’t respect? You don’t fear them? What happens to a teacher you don’t respect? You take advantage of them, you don’t listen to them, the class is just a mess and you don’t learn anything. There must be a fear of your teacher in order to learn.

But part of that is dependent on us, on our attitude. Because sometimes there are people that you should fear but you don’t. Part of wisdom is learning who you should respect, who you should pay close attention to.

So as we go through this series a question you have to ask yourself is do you want to be considered wise or be considered a fool? Because one thing you learn from Proverbs is that a wise person doesn’t necessarily mean a really smart person, a wise person doesn’t mean the person with the most money or the highest grades or the best athlete. The wisest people are those who are willing to learn and grow.

2. Because Jesus is the embodiment of true wisdom and shows to us the way of life

Jesus in called the word of God and God himself since He was there from the beginning. He created all things, therefore Jesus is the true Word, the true Wisdom because all wisdom comes from Him.

1 Corinthians 1:29–31 CSB

so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption —in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

Colossians 2:1–3 CSB

For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

3. Because our obedience to true wisdom will reveal our faith in Christ

We must consider whether our actions reveal a relationship to God and as a follower of Him. As we read the proverbs we are forced to ask if we are in light with the treasures of God’s wisdom or the folly of man. “If i bring grief to my parents am I demonstrated folly and a life leading to death or am I seeking to learn from what my parents tell me?”

Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary 1. The Book of Proverbs and the Wisdom of Israel

in Proverbs, for there is every encouragement to count the cost or reward of one’s actions, and to study the ways of getting things done; but wisdom as taught here is God-centred, and even when it is most down-to-earth it consists in the shrewd and sound handling of one’s affairs in God’s world, in submission to his will.

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