Why Study the Book of Proverbs - Part 1

Why study the book of Proverbs?    The first verses of the first chapter give several good reasons, here are the first three:

1).  To know wisdom and instruction 

Wisdom.   Wisdom is defined as ‘skill in living’.  

Instruction.   The meaning is to teach by discipline, as a parent disciplines a child in order to produce a fruit of righteousness.

2).  To obtain understanding

Understanding.  Careful consideration.  Ability to grasp with insight.  Has the idea from the original language of ‘to bereave’ or ‘to miscarry’.   The sayings of bereavement might not exactly express the thought, but it conveys the idea of learning through the unhappy experiences of others, or of oneself.

3).  To gain prudence

Prudence. The word actually means ‘crafty’.  It’s Hebrew root word was used describing Satan in Genesis 3:1.   Shrewd, cunning.   We are to be ‘Wise as serpents...’ (Matthew 10:16).  To have ‘prudence’ would be to have the ability to detect craftiness in others.  Prudent people are able to think through complicated matters and make wise decisions about them. 

  1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

  2 To know wisdom and instruction,

To discern the sayings of understanding,

  3 To receive instruction in wise behavior,

Righteousness, justice and equity;

  4 To give prudence to the naive,

To the youth knowledge and discretion,

  5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

  6 To understand a proverb and a figure,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

More next time!