Introduction.
Many have praised Proverbs for being one of the most practical books of the Bible. The Proverbs contain instruction and advice for just about any situation the Christian is likely to face in this world. For the past several months, I have been reading one of the thirty-one chapters of Proverbs each day of the month. Several years ago, I heard a preacher suggest this practice, and have done it before, but this time I have studied through the book several months in a row rather than just one. The constant review and study of Proverbs helps one to understand how practical it truly is. Each time I go through the book, I discover something new, fresh, and very applicable to my own life. By integrating the principles and advice of the book of Proverbs into one's daily life, as well as constantly reading and studying the book, one will begin to live a wiser, more productive life.
Proverbs Chapter 1
The first verse identifies Solomon as the owner of the proverbs contained in this book. The phrase "the proverbs of Solomon" could indicate that the following sayings were collected by Solomon, were told to him, or were all said by him. Proverbs is very likely a combination of these. (See chapter 30:1) Dr. Henry Morris, in his introduction to Proverbs in The Defender's Study Bible, states that the first division of the book was "prepared specifically for him [Solomon], perhaps by his father David." We know that God granted Solomon a generous portion of practical wisdom, for which he was internationally renowned. We are told in II Kings 4:29-34 that "he was wiser than all men" (31) and that he "spake three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five." (32) In the twelfth chapter and ninth verse of Ecclesiastes (which Solomon authored), it is stated that he "set in order many proverbs". He was a wise ruler, though not quite the king his father David was. Unfortunately, he did not always apply wisdom to life, one prominent example being when he married wives who worshipped false gods and began to condone and for a time embrace their idolatry. Nevertheless, the wise sayings of Proverbs still hold true and will bring blessing, happiness, security, and safety to the reader if followed.
We see in these opening verses several important words. The book's purpose is to give wisdom, understanding, instruction, knowledge, subtility, and discretion. These things are essential to a successful life and a right understanding of the book of Proverbs. I would like to focus on four of these words: knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and instruction. Now these terms are all related in some way, but are not perfect synonyms.
Knowledge is information. Knowledge is important, but one must be selective in the knowledge he obtains, because there is much useful knowledge, and much knowledge which is either harmful or unimportant.
Wisdom is often identified with knowledge, and certainly relates to it, but is not identical to it. A couple of definitions of wisdom, given by the American Heritage College Dictionary (and both of which accurately reflect the purpose of the book of Proverbs), are
1. Understanding of what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
A good definition of wisdom (which expands upon common sense and good judgment) is "the proper, or right, application of knowledge to life." If a person has knowledge but does not know how to apply it for the good, he may be knowledgeable and learned, but not wise. If knowledge is used improperly, the consequences can be devastating. The exercise of wisdom causes one to use knowledge for its intended purpose.
Understanding is essential to wisdom, or the proper application of knowledge. Understanding helps one to see what will happen if knowledge is used properly or improperly. Understanding allows one to consider and evaluate the possible results or consequences of applying knowledge in a certain way, and frees one to apply it properly.
Instruction is the command to use or refrain from using knowledge for a certain purpose or in a certain way. Good instruction incorporates wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Instruction communicates knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to the one receiving it. Instruction can teach one how to use and evaluate knowledge.
A wise man will listen to instruction and gain understanding to know how to rightly apply knowledge to life's situations, whereas "fools despise wisdom and instruction." (verse 7)
Many believe verse seven is the key verse of the book. Certainly it introduces one of the central themes of Proverbs. The fear of, or respect, or reverence for, the LORD is absolutely essential to wisdom. It is also essential to a right understanding of basic knowledge. True science itself starts with "the fear of the LORD", in that it recognizes God as Creator, and from that foundation examines His orderly creation. Psalm 111:10 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever." Job also tells us that "the fear of the Lord" is wisdom (Job 28:28). The actual phrase, "the fear of the LORD" appears in Proverbs fourteen times (not to mention the several variations of the phrase): above in 1:7 and 1:29, and also in 2:5, 8:13, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26, 14:27, 15:16, 15:33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4, and 23:17. We are told that the fear of the LORD
Is the beginning of knowledge
Proverbs 3:7 exhorts man to "fear the LORD and depart from evil. Proverbs 14:2 says "He that walketh in uprightness feareth the LORD," and Proverbs 31:30 tells us that "a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." In Acts 9:31, Luke speaks of the churches "walking in the fear of the Lord." The fear of the LORD is foundational to serving Him and receiving wisdom and guidance from Him. Let us marvel at His power and come before Him trembling. Those who He has saved know that He will not destroy them, but God's children should never think less of His holiness and might than they ought. If we truly comprehended His power and holiness, we would be overwhelmed with respect and fear. Let us never be arrogant or filled with pride, but rather thankful, looking to Him and His written Word for our instruction, realizing that except for His unmerited favor, we would be doomed and hopeless.
True or right fear is discovered by three things:
1. By its rise, It is caused by saving Convictions for Sin.
2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for Salvation.
3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great Reverence of God,
his Word, and Ways; keeping it tender, and making it afraid to turn from
them, to the right hand or to the left, to any thing that may dishonor
God, break its peace, grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak
reproachfully.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
These verses remind us of the commandment, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that they days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12) A wise son will learn from the counsel of his father and mother. The son must remember that his parents are older than he is and have had more experiences. The wisdom and insight they have accumulated should be taken seriously by him; when that counsel is disregarded or disobeyed, the son may be making his life unnecessarily hard. But if he listens and obeys the instructions of his parents, his "days may be prolonged" and he will avoid some pitfalls that might have ruined him otherwise.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
As one studies the book of Proverbs, he can see how certain themes permeate it. This passage reminds us of the verse that says, "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him." (26:27) Or, as the common bromide states, "What goes around comes around." This theme, as well as "the fear of the LORD", exhortation to heed the instruction of godly parents, and the warning against ungodly companions, will be seen again in Proverbs.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
Just as wisdom does in this passage, Christ calls to the world today. Oh, sinner! Turn from your sin and cry to Him; He is the only source of life and wisdom. Those who despise His reproof, His warning, damn themselves. My friend, if you are lost, do not take for granted the Gospel invitation. Sinners are invited to turn from their wicked ways and to the Lord Jesus. If you refuse God, you doom yourself and will "eat the fruit of your own way"--you will receive what you deserve. Christ died for sinners. Cry out to Him! Seek Him! He said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) Why should this not include you?
If the Holy Spirit has spoken to you, causing you to realize that you need Christ, by all means, run to Him! Confess and forsake your sin, and let God clothe you with the righteousness of His Son. God will judge all those who reject His Wisdom. Notice that those who reject wisdom "hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD," but those who hearken unto wisdom "shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." Sinner friend, may God grant that you hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One in Whom all wisdom dwells. Hearken to Him and He will save you!
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2. Common sense; good judgment.
Is the beginning of wisdom
Is hating evil
Prolongeth days
Is strong confidence
Is a fountain of life
Is the instruction of wisdom
Tendeth to life
In his classic work, Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan has Christian say this about the true fear of the LORD:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.