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Bible Survey 14-Proverbs "Wise Sayings" In Hebrew, this collection of sayings is called "That men may know wisdom," while the Septuagint calls it "Paroimiai Salomontos" (proverbs or parables of Solomon). As for authorship, this book is a collection of wise maxims from a number of sources. There is clear indication that a portion are tied to Solomon (10:1-22:16), the "Sayings of the Wise" (22:17-23:14) may depend on the Egyptian Wisdom of Amen-em-ope (Amenophis), there is Hezekiah's collection of Solomonic proverbs (25-29), words of Agur ben Jakeh (30), and a section attributed to King Lemuel of Maasa (31:1-9). The oldest material would be Solomonic or before. The final editing would have been completed by 600 B.C. Proverbs 25:1 lets us know that the collection was not in its final form until Hezekiah's time (ca. 715-686 B.C.). Proverbs are short principles concerning life and wisdom. They were used in the teaching of future leaders in Jerusalem, as well as elsewhere. There appear to have been three classes of teachers in ancient Israel: 1) Jeremiah 18:18 lists the Priest, the wise, and the Prophet 2) Ezekiel 7:26 lists Prophet, Priest, and Elder
The Wise Elders did not speak by "thus saith YHWH (to me)" inspiration or with authority. The warrant for their teaching was the harmony that existed between their writings, the precepts of the Torah & the Prophets, and everyday life.
There are two outstanding characteristics of the Proverbs. First, while Hebrew in origin and language, no passage is exclusively addressed to Hebrews. Thus, the Proverbs are full of wisdom and offered to all who travel the road of life, no matter their time or place. Second, every phase of life is covered - rulers, tradesmen, farmers, husbands, wives, and children can all find wholesome instruction. "The sages who impart their doctrine in this Book do not stand on a lofty height and preach impracticable ideals. On the contrary, their endeavor is to step down to a level which is easily accessible by the majority. Nor do they deal in vague abstractions, but apply the test of common sense and verifiable experience. They urge the fundamental thesis that the morally defective and willfully perverted stand in their own light, deny themselves the real joys of living, bring avoidable troubles upon their head and, though they may at times have a momentary triumph, ultimately fall. On the other hand, to conduct oneself in the light of wisdom means to get the best out of life, discover sources of strength which assure final victory over calamity and evil, and become a blessing to oneself and society. Such, reduced to its simplest terms, is the message of these wise men of Israel."[1] The Various Formats Often single line proverbs are joined with another to form a poetical couplet, with the result of increasing the force of the moral. Note the various Hebrew Parallelisms: a) Synonymous - both lines say the same thing (12:28; 16:28; 20:18) b) Antithetical - both lines are in contrast to each other (10:1,5; 12:22; 14:31; 15:1,18) c) Emblematic - use of an emblem, illustration, type, or example where one line illustrates the other line (10:26; 11:22; 25:18,19; 27:15) d) Lesser to greater - 15:11 e) Better this than that - 16:16; 21:9,19; 17:1 f) Apparent contradictions - 26:4,5 (some fools you answer, some you don't) The Message of Proverbs "Wisdom" is personified as a virtuous and desirable woman (Pr.1:20-33; 8:1-9:6) and stands in opposition to "madam folly" (Pr.5:1-23; 9:13-18), who is represented by the temptress. Much in the Proverbs provides background for Jesus' teachings (ex. Pr.25:6,7 with Luke 14:7-11). Divisions in the Book of Proverbs: a) Introduction - chaps.1-9 contain the title and object of the book, followed by a series of moral addresses (1:8-7:27) and two discourses on the nature of wisdom (8;9) b) The Proverbs of Solomon (10:1-22:16) - selected from the 3,000 he wrote during his life (1Kgs,5:12) c) Sayings of the Wise (22:17-24:34) d) Proverbs of Solomon which Hezekiah copied (25-29) e) Words of Agur ben Jakeh (30) f) Words of King Lemuel (31:1-9) g) Praise of the Ideal Wife (31:10-31)
The purpose of Solomon's collection (1:2-4) was to know wisdom and instruction, to acquire living skills and moral discipline. While reading is valuable for learning facts, wisdom comes by doing/living - experience. Points to Note: 1:7/ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
5/ warning against sexual immorality (cf. 6:20-35; 7; 9)
6:1-5/ Don't be "surety" (a co-signer) for someone else 12-15/ a description of the worthless/wicked person 16-19/ Seven things that are an abomination to God 27/ the inevitability of trouble arising from adultery
8/ Wisdom calls out to whoever will listen
10:22/ it is God's blessing which allows one to become wealthy 26/ appraisal of the lazy worker
11:29/ He who brings trouble into his own house will wind up with nothing
12:15/ the way of the fool seems to be "right" to him/her 16-23/ the words of fools vs. the wise
13:3/ Controlling your mouth may preserve your life (James 3) 7/ the pretentious vs. unpretentious rich 18/ poverty and shame come to the undisciplined 20/ to be wise, associate with the wise
14:9/ fools think "sin" is a big joke 16/ the wise are cautious and turn from evil, while the fool is arrogant/careless 29/ the person who is slow to anger has great understanding 34/ a contrast between the effects of righteousness vs. sin on a nation/culture
15:1/ how you answer/respond in a tense situation affects what develops - a gentle answer can diffuse a tense situation, but a harsh answer can make it worse (cf. 25:15) 8,9/ God sees hearts and motives - which validates/invalidates ceremony 15/ our attitude is more important than our physical circumstances (18:14) 28/ Think before you answer 33/ reverence & humility as the path to honor
16:2/ our plans seem fine to us, but God examines our inner motives 7/ when a person’s ways please God, even his enemies are at peace with him 32/ self-control
17:9/ Those who cover/pass by vs. those who repeat one's past problems to their shame 10/ wise vs. fools - their potentials for discipline (27:22) 14/ the danger of quarrels 22/ a joyful heart is good medicine, but sadness ruins our health 27-28/ Restrain your words, for even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise
18:8/ whispered gossip is like a tasty treat to the ears 13/ hear the issue before you speak 17/ one side of an argument sounds good until more is learned 22/ he who finds a good wife finds a good thing (cf. 19:14b)
19:3/ a person's own foolishness gets him into trouble, but then he is angry at God 14/ a prudent/wise wife is a gift from God 22/ kindness and truth are better than wealth
20:3/ honorable people avoid quarrels, but fools seek them out 14/ a common tactic in the marketplace, complain about the item during the price negotiation, but later brag about what a “shrewd deal” was made 19/ Don’t associate with a gossip, for they will reveal your secrets too 25/ Investigate matters BEFORE you make a judgment on them 27/ the spirit of a person knows their inward parts (cf. 1Cor. 2:11)
21:3/ God desires righteousness & justice, not sacrifice 15/ different attitudes toward executing justice
22:1/ a good reputation is better than money 6/ train a child in the right way and later on, they will not leave it 15/ Children are NOT wise little adults, they are inexperienced and easily misled by their own imaginations and the foolishness of others - discipline and training are needed 24-25/ Don’t hang around people with “quick-tempers” or you will become like them
23:4,5/ earthly wealth seems to grow wings and fly away, so don't trust it 7/ As people think within themselves, so they are 17/ Even though their lifestyle look’s like “fun” without responsibility, don’t envy sinners 29-35/ the foolishness of strong drink
24:1/ Do not associate with those who are given to change 19/ don't get too upset about or envy the wicked
25:6,7/ let others exalt you (cf. 27:2; Luke 14:7-11) 17/ don't overstay your welcome
26:11/ the foolishness of returning to your sins (cf. 2Pet. 2:22) 17/ the danger of meddling in the business of others 18,19/ the person who carelessly deceives, insults, or injures others, but when challenged says “I was just joking/kidding”
27:17/ iron sharpens iron, so one person can sharpen/fine-tune another 19/ the heart reflects what is in a person (cf. Mt. 15:18,19) 21/ praise & success is what really tests a person's character
28:4/ how the wicked are viewed by others, both the righteous and the wicked 9/ failing to listen to revelation makes one's prayers useless 13/ covering up vs. confessing sin
29:7/ the righteous care for the poor, but the selfish wicked can't understand it
30:5,6/ God's Word is tested and a shield for His people; don't add to it 7-9/ keep me from poverty or riches (poverty is unpleasant, but it is also hard to spiritually survive prosperity & success!)
31:10-31/ description of the good wife and mother -------------------------------------------------------------- Charles E. McCoy 2006/9/25
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