We read last week about God granting Solomon great wisdom; today we get to reap the fruit of his wisdom. Much of the book of Proverbs is a balance between the way of the wise and the way of the foolish. One of the most important verses is Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...” This thought is echoed again in Proverbs, as well as Job, Psalms, and twice in Isaiah.
Wisdom appears as a character in this book, speaking to the foolish and crying for them to listen to her. She wants them to stop their foolishness and follow the way of the Lord.
Some early chapters are the words of a father to his son, sound advice that we would do well to follow. Some of the best advice in the world is found in Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Chapter 10 is when we actually begin what I call the “Pithy Proverbs,” the list of short phrases that fit so well on refrigerator magnets. Most of them are in couplet form, such as “Wise people do this, but foolish do this;” or “As the wise animal does this, so the wise person does that.” Here are some favorites:
Proverbs 11:22 “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.”
Proverbs 14:12, 16:25 “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.”
The “Pithy Proverbs” end with 22:16, but that is not the end of the wisdom found in this book. Much is found in the latter part of the book that is similar to the first part.
Proverbs 25:24 “It is better to live in a corner of the roof, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” A similar thought appears 5 times in the book of Proverbs. Maybe Solomon is reaping the pain of having 700 wives!
Chapter 30 records the words of Augur, who we nothing about. He says things we have heard before.
Chapter 31 contains the words of King Lemuel, whose identity is...unclear. His contribution to the Bible is The Woman of Proverbs 31. Lemuel gained a lot of wisdom from his mother; that may be why this model woman is so perfect-he adored his mom.
My favorite verse in the passage about this “perfect woman” is the last verse, because it’s the one piece that is actually attainable. Proverbs 31:30-31 “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she will be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
And that’s a very brief summary of Proverbs, everybody. Thanks for tuning in!
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