In today’s video we’re going to, survey and briefly summarize the Book of Proverbs.
Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs.
Solomon’s name appears in 1:1, 10:1, and 25:1.
We may also presume Solomon collected and edited proverbs other than his own, for Ecclesiastes
12:9 says, "Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people.
He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs."
Indeed, the Hebrew title of the book is translated "Proverbs of Solomon."
As for the Date of Writing: Solomon’s proverbs were penned around 900 B.C.
During his reign as king, the nation of Israel reached its pinnacle spiritually, politically,
culturally, and economically.
As Israel’s reputation soared, so did King Solomon’s.
Foreign dignitaries from the far reaches of the known world traveled great distances to
hear the wise monarch speak (1 Kings 4:34).
Now, for the Purpose of Writing: Knowledge is nothing more than an accumulation of raw
facts, but wisdom is the ability to see people, events, and situations as God sees them.
In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and
in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too.
It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon’s attention.
Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition,
discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness
are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.
Here are some Key Verses:
Proverbs 1:5, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning
get guidance."
Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise
wisdom and discipline.”
Proverbs 4:5, "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them."
Proverbs 8:13-14, "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil
behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power."
As for a Brief Summary: Summarizing the Book of Proverbs is a bit difficult, for unlike
many other books of Scripture, there is no particular plot or storyline found in its
pages; likewise, there are no principal characters in the book.
It is wisdom that takes center stage—a grand, divine wisdom that transcends the whole of
history, peoples, and cultures.
Even a perfunctory reading of this magnificent treasury reveals the pithy sayings of the
wise King Solomon are as relevant today as they were some three thousand years ago.
As for Foreshadowings: The theme of wisdom and its necessity in our lives finds its fulfillment
in Christ.
We are continually exhorted in Proverbs to seek wisdom, get wisdom, and understand wisdom.
Proverbs also tells us—and repeats it— that the fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom (1:7; and 9:10).
Our fear of the Lord’s wrath and justice is what drives us to Christ, who is the embodiment
of God’s wisdom as expressed in His glorious plan of redemption for mankind.
In Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3),
we find the answer to our search for wisdom, the remedy for our fear of God, and the “righteousness,
holiness and redemption” that we so desperately need (1 Corinthians 1:30).
The wisdom that is found only in Christ is in contrast to the foolishness of the world
which encourages us to be wise in our own eyes.
But Proverbs also tells us that the world’s way is not God’s way (Proverbs 3:7) and
leads only to death (Proverbs 14:12; and 16:25).
Now for some Practical Application: There is an undeniable practicality found in this
book, for sound and sensible answers to all manner of complex difficulties are found within
its thirty-one chapters.
Certainly, Proverbs is the greatest "how-to" book ever written, and those who have the
good sense to take Solomon’s lessons to heart will quickly discover godliness, prosperity,
and contentment are theirs for the asking.
The recurring promise of the Book of Proverbs is that those who choose wisdom and follow
God will be blessed in numerous ways: with long life; prosperity; joy; and the goodness
of God.
Those who reject Him, on the other hand, suffer shame and death.
To reject God is to choose folly over wisdom and is to separate ourselves from God, His
Word, His wisdom, and His blessings.
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