1298 - The Book of Proverbs

 The Book of Proverbs 


The word “proverb” is used to describe a short, clever saying that offers wisdom in some way. 


While this book does contain many hundreds of proverbs, most of them are found in the center section of the book. 


In the outer frames of the book are more elaborate poems about wisdom. 


Regardless of the format, the message is consistent throughout the book:


Wisdom depends on trusting God and this leads to life, ….but folly starts with distrusting God and that leads to death.


The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and poems primarily attributed to King Solomon. 


Although not all the material is written by Solomon, Israel’s wisdom tradition is considered to have begun with him… 


He was the young ruler who asked God for wisdom to rule God’s people… and God made him the wisest man that ever lived, and gave him riches beyond his imagination.


The events in the book of Proverbs are thought to span several centuries during Israel’s history. 


The actual book of Proverbs was compiled and arranged after Israel’s return from exile in Babylon around the 5th to 4th century B.C.E.


The book of Proverbs opens (in the first 9 chapters) with words of advice from a father to a son.


The father tells the son that he should listen to wisdom and cultivate the fear of the Lord. 


This will require a life of virtue, integrity, and generosity, …all of which will lead to success in life and a peaceful existence. 


The father warns the son about folly and evil, about shortsighted, selfish decisions and about pride. 


All of these things, he says, will lead to ruin and shame. 


Therefore, the son should make the pursuit of wisdom and the fear of the Lord his highest goals


After a center section in the book with a listing of numerous individual proverbs…


The book appropriately closes by offering the words of wisdom from a mother to her son about a woman who lives wisely…  and tells the story of a “woman of noble character.”


This woman lives according to the wisdom of Proverbs and stands as a model of someone who takes God’s wisdom and translates it into practical decisions in everyday life at work, at home, in her family, and in her community.


This chapter is attributed to King Lemuel, a non-Israelite king who passes on the wisdom given to him by his mother. 


She was obviously advising him to find a woman who would be a Godly helper for him.


This is a book for everyone, in every season of life. 


It is a reliable guide for living wisely in the world.



Praise be to God!


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