Proverbs 1:1-7
STATED PURPOSES
The book of Proverbs is written in condensed language with terse sentences with pointed comments. In order to get the most out of the proverbs it is probably best to read them out loud. There are not a lot of places in the proverbs for contextual reading, because it is really a gathering of pithy sayings to be considered one at a time. There quite a number of different subjects that are not dealt with all at one time. For instance, a comment may be made about morality in one place and not picked up again until another place in the book. Different subjects are picked up and perhaps connected with other subjects, so that time and again, throughout the whole collection of proverbs, we learn how one subject adapts to another in various ways, or how one principle in life has an effect on others.
Wisdom, morality, integrity, righteous living and mercy are dealt with in a variety of ways with the light of truth shining on them from different perspectives. Sometimes they are spoken of in contrasts; other times in similarities. The value of this is for our learning how to apply the truth of God and common sense to the many challenges of life.
Because of the wisdom of Solomon, and the prosperity of the nation of Israel under his reign, one of the things on the “bucket list” of many people in the Middle East, was to visit Jerusalem to see the wonders of the city and the building that Solomon erected there. This king who started out as a simple, retiring and perhaps, fearful young man, became the most popular leader in the Middle East.
Right in the middle of the Old Testament, there are five books that deal with the personal issues of life, rather than the unfolding of history, or the teaching of doctrines and prophecies that were incorporated in the lives of the Jews. Job through Song of Solomon all have very personal and social subjects like pain and suffering, rejection and acceptance, right and wrong, love and hate. Many similar issues that face life in society are referred to, and addressed directly, by those who the Spirit of God moved to open their hearts to scrutiny. Society is only as good as those who live in that place. Wisdom is needed to know how to be content when there are times of trouble or peace. We need wisdom to know how to live with people personally, or how to avoid those that would lead us astray. In the middle of all these subjects are the proverbs to help us act right in our personal, family, and assembly life, and how to conduct ourselves as believers in an ungodly society.
The first seven verses introduce us to Solomon who wrote most of the Proverbs, and to give us the purpose of writing them. We can read about him in the books of Kings and Chronicles in historical context. He had learned much from his father David, the hero-king of Israel. From David he would have learned what to do and not to do. What he should know as a ruler and how to conduct himself as a leader of people. By the time of the writing of the book of Proverbs, he would have lived long enough to gain insight into life and how to live it, evil and how to avoid it, sin and the consequences of it, responsibility and how to exercise it, wisdom and how to pass it on. The people of God in every generation need instructions for living life as God intends. Proverbs give us access to that knowledge.
We begin life like Solomon, as learners. In passing on what he had learned, he became a teacher, and so should people who are parents and mature believers in every generation. Social mores change very quickly in our day, but the truth contained in the scriptures, including the Proverbs does not change. Solomon knew the people he was teaching. Because of human limitations of intellect, patience and wisdom, the proverbs are written down in short, precise statements. There are five reasons for the Proverbs to be written down. Verses one and two: to give reverence and obedience to the heart. Verse two: to provide discernment to the eyes. Verse three: to develop alertness in the walk. Verse four: to establish discretion and purpose in life. Verses five and six: to cultivate keenness of mind.
Solomon had received instruction from his father, and as a humble young man, had received wisdom from God. People need to know how to process what they have heard until they really understand the words and how to apply the principles personally. To hear something may only be briefly remembered and not too often lead to appropriate changes. Classrooms are full of people who listen to teachers. Understanding comes when we practice what we hear and see the outcome. We may learn what is right in a general sense, but we need wisdom to apply what we know with fairness and justness. Wisdom and instruction give us the information. Judgment and equity provide the sense of how to adapt what we know to life-situations.
It is necessary to have the right attitude in ourselves to take advantage of what we have learned, and to how and where to apply that knowledge. To know what is right and how to apply it is good. But the way to apply that to a given situation, and the attitude in which that is passed on is what makes that action accepted by the learners. Learning and counsel established in our minds, gives purpose to living. The concisely stated proverbs, plainly give some principle of living that is needed. The “dark sayings,” are riddles that need to be solved. In the book of Proverbs, some principles are taught by getting the reader to solve a puzzle or a riddle. That thought process makes the answer real to us, and hopefully, personal, so that the principle is applied.
The whole outcome of knowing the proverbs is “the fear of the Lord.” When that respectful reverence for the Lord is present, then it is possible for that person to live with others peacefully and happily. Dogmatic know-it-alls are very annoying people to be around. They may know a lot, but who they are and how they present themselves, have a tendency to make us reject what they say as soon as they say it.
If a person responds to the Lord with reverence and obedience to God, they are starting down the path, the good path, of wisdom. If they are closed in mind to what the scriptures say because it is new to them, or if they resent discipline and will not heed what is taught, they are a fool. That contrast is made many times in the book of Proverbs. Knowledge is plentiful today, but wisdom is scarce.
The fear of the Lord moves a person to trust Him for salvation and surrender our will and life to him. Then we will be committed to obeying His word and worshipping the Father in spirit and truth. Lest we bring dishonor on our Lord and His name, one who fears the Lord will choose to live godly and pray earnestly. That is the purpose of the book of proverbs which is stated in verse seven.