The People of Proverbs: Introduction

The People of ProverbsThe People of Proverbs

Part One: Introduction to ProverbsPart One: Introduction to Proverbs

Purpose of this Proverbs’ SeriesPurpose of this Proverbs’ Series

• To evaluate several of the primary types To evaluate several of the primary types of people illustrated in Proverbs in order of people illustrated in Proverbs in order to come to understandingto come to understanding• as to where “I” stand in regards to the as to where “I” stand in regards to the

biblical definition of wisdombiblical definition of wisdom• And to determine what plan of action “I” And to determine what plan of action “I”

can take to bring me closer to this biblical can take to bring me closer to this biblical ideal.ideal.

Overview of ProverbsOverview of Proverbs

The Plan of ProverbsThe Plan of Proverbs

Ch. 1-9Ch. 1-9““my son” (1:8; my son” (1:8; 2:1; 3:1; etc.)2:1; 3:1; etc.)

Ch. 10-29Ch. 10-29““collection of collection of prov.”prov.”

Ch. 30Ch. 30““exam. Of exam. Of wisdom”wisdom”

Exhortation Exhortation and Warningsand Warnings

ExaminationExamination ExaltationExaltation

SolomonSolomon SolomonSolomon Wise MenWise Men

Proverbs 1:8 (NET)8 Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from

your mother.

Two ways to study ProverbsTwo ways to study Proverbs

• Verse by verseVerse by verse• Topical or ThematicTopical or Thematic

• FinancesFinances• RelationshipsRelationships• Types of people (our study)Types of people (our study)

Proverbs should be studiedProverbs should be studied

• As general absolutes – generalized As general absolutes – generalized statements that are true to life even statements that are true to life even though individual cases differ.though individual cases differ.

• Principles, not promises.Principles, not promises.

Definition of key wordsDefinition of key words• Proverb - The Hebrew noun translated “proverb” is Proverb - The Hebrew noun translated “proverb” is

derived from the root derived from the root משלמשל ((mashalmashal) which means ) which means “likeness.” The related verb means “to be like, be “likeness.” The related verb means “to be like, be comparable with,” e.g., (Ps 49:12). The noun can comparable with,” e.g., (Ps 49:12). The noun can mean an object lesson based on or using a mean an object lesson based on or using a comparison or analogy. It may be a short pithy comparison or analogy. It may be a short pithy statement (Ezek 16:44), object lesson drawn from statement (Ezek 16:44), object lesson drawn from experience (Ps 78:2–6), saying or by-word (Deut experience (Ps 78:2–6), saying or by-word (Deut 28:37) or an oracle of future blessing (Ezek 21:1–5). 28:37) or an oracle of future blessing (Ezek 21:1–5). In Proverbs it is usually an object lesson setting out In Proverbs it is usually an object lesson setting out courses of action. It helps one choose the course of courses of action. It helps one choose the course of action to follow or avoid.action to follow or avoid.

Psalm 49:12 but, despite their wealth, people do not last, they are like animals that

perish.

Ezekiel 16:44 “‘Observe – everyone who quotes proverbs

will quote this proverb about you: “Like mother, like

daughter.”

Deuteronomy 28:37 You will become an occasion of

horror, a proverb, and an object of ridicule to all the peoples to whom the Lord

will drive you.

Definition of key wordsDefinition of key words• Wisdom - The noun “wisdom” (Wisdom - The noun “wisdom” (חכמהחכמה, , khokhmahkhokhmah) )

could be nuanced “moral skill.” It refers to “skill” that could be nuanced “moral skill.” It refers to “skill” that produces something of value. It is used in reference produces something of value. It is used in reference to the skill of seamen (Ps 107:27), abilities of to the skill of seamen (Ps 107:27), abilities of weavers (Exod 35:26), capabilities of administrators weavers (Exod 35:26), capabilities of administrators (1 Kgs 3:28), or skill of craftsmen (Exod 31:6). In the (1 Kgs 3:28), or skill of craftsmen (Exod 31:6). In the realm of moral living, it refers to skill in living – one realm of moral living, it refers to skill in living – one lives life with moral skill so that something of lasting lives life with moral skill so that something of lasting value is produced from one’s life.value is produced from one’s life.

• Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET BibleBible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.. Biblical Studies Press.

Psalm 107:27 They swayed and staggered like a drunk,

and all their skill proved ineffective.Exodus 35:26 and all

the women whose heart stirred them to action and who were skilled spun goats’

hair.

1 Kings 3:28 (NET)28 When all Israel heard about the judicial decision which the king had rendered, they respected the

king, for they realized that he possessed supernatural wisdom to make judicial decisions.

Exodus 31:6 (NET)6 Moreover, I have also

given him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of

Dan, and I have given ability to all the specially

skilled, that they may make everything I have

commanded you:

Definition of key wordsDefinition of key words

Wisdom (Wisdom (חכמהחכמה, , khokhmahkhokhmah) can refer to ) can refer to one being clever or shrewd or skilled. one being clever or shrewd or skilled.

In Proverbs wisdom is the “skill of living In Proverbs wisdom is the “skill of living your life rightly before God and man.”your life rightly before God and man.”

Key versesKey verses

Proverbs 1:5-7 (NET)5 (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!) 6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles. 7

Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Key versesKey verses

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NET)5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

Purpose and Theme of ProverbsPurpose and Theme of Proverbs

Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)2 To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel. 3 To receive moral instruction in skillful living, in righteousness, justice, and equity. 4

To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person. 5 (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!) 6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles. 7 Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)2 To learn wisdom and moral instruction,

• The noun The noun מוסרמוסר ((musarmusar) has a three-fold range of meanings: ) has a three-fold range of meanings: • (1) physical or parental: “discipline; chastisement” (1) physical or parental: “discipline; chastisement” • (2) verbal: “warning; exhortation” and (2) verbal: “warning; exhortation” and • (3) moral: “training; instruction”. (3) moral: “training; instruction”. • Its parallelism with Its parallelism with חכמהחכמה ((khokhmahkhokhmah, “wisdom, moral skill”) , “wisdom, moral skill”)

suggests that it refers to moral training or instruction that the Book suggests that it refers to moral training or instruction that the Book of Proverbs offers to its readers. This instruction consists of wisdom of Proverbs offers to its readers. This instruction consists of wisdom acquired by observing the consequences of foolish actions in acquired by observing the consequences of foolish actions in others and developing the ability to control the natural inclination to others and developing the ability to control the natural inclination to folly. This sometimes comes through experiencing chastisement folly. This sometimes comes through experiencing chastisement from God. Sensing something of this nuance, the LXX translated from God. Sensing something of this nuance, the LXX translated this term with the Greek word for “child-training.”this term with the Greek word for “child-training.”

• Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET BibleEnglish. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.. Biblical Studies Press.


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)

2 To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel.• refers to the ability to discern between moral

options. • to distinguish truth from falsehood or • to understand wise sayings

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)3 To receive (student’s perspective) moral instruction in skillful living*, in righteousness**, justice, and equity***.

*Or prudence – skill in making good moral judgments.**conduct conforming to a standard. Conduct that

conforms to God’s law. ***“upright, straight, right.” Elsewhere it is used in a Elsewhere it is used in a

concrete sense to describe cows walking straight down a concrete sense to describe cows walking straight down a path without turning right or left (1 Sam 6:12). path without turning right or left (1 Sam 6:12).


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)4 To impart (teacher’s perspective) shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person. • Shrewd – or craftiness, cleverness. A shrewd plan of action, viewed

positively or negatively. It is used negatively of planned deception (Josh 9:4) and premeditated murder (Exod 21:14). The related adjective described the serpent as “shrewd, crafty, cunning” (Gen 3:1); it describes cunning plans (Job 5:12) and deception (Job 15:5). The related verb describes a wicked concocted plan (Ps 83:4). The term is used positively of a morally prudent lifestyle (Prov 8:5, 12; 15:5; 19:25). There is no virtue for simpletons to be unaware in this world; they need to be wise as serpents. Proverbs provide a morally shrewd plan for life.

• Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.

Exodus 21:14 But if a man willfully attacks his neighbor to kill him

cunningly, you will take him even from my altar that he

may die.

Joshua 9:4 they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out

sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that

were ripped and patched.

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more shrewdthan any of the wild

animals that the Lord God had made.


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)4 To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person.

• the naive” or “simpleton.” The adjective means “simple; open-minded” in the sense of being open and easily influenced by either wisdom or folly.The simpleton is easily enticed and misled (Prov 1:32; 7:7; 9:6; 22:3; 27:12); believes everything, including bad counsel (Prov 14:15); lacks moral prudence (Prov 8:5; 19:25); needs discernment (Prov 21:11); but is capable of learning (Prov 9:4, 16). The related verb means “to be wide open; open-minded; enticed, deceived”. The term describes one easily persuaded and gullible, open to any influence, good or bad (cf. NLT “the simpleminded”). This is the “wide-eyed youth” who is headed for trouble unless he listens to the counsel of wisdom.

• Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)4 To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person. • It describes the ability to make plans or formulate

the best course of action for gaining a goal. • knowledge of how to form and carry out a morally

wise plan for life. • Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible

First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)5 (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!) 6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles. • Even the wise can gain instruction• Even the discerning can receive guidance


Proverbs 1:2-7 (NET)7 Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.To recognize that ones relationship with God has a direct and

proportional influence on his wisdom. To fear God is to stand in awe of His righteousness, majesty, and power and to trust Him by humbly depending upon Him. There is a reciprocal relationship here, because the fear of the Lord is the beginning (foundation) or wisdom (9:10), but wisdom leads to the knowledge and fear of God (2:1-5).

Proverbs 9:10 The beginning of wisdom is to

fear the Lord, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 2:1-5 1 My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands

within you, 2 by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to

understanding, 3 indeed, if you call out for discernment – raise your voice for

understanding – 4 if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure, 5

then you will understand how to fear the Lord, and you will discover knowledge

about God.

The People of ProverbsThe People of Proverbs

• The Simple or NaïveThe Simple or Naïve• The SluggardThe Sluggard• The FoolThe Fool• The ScofferThe Scoffer• The WiseThe Wise

Spiritual

The People of Proverbs: Introduction