Proverbs: An introduction
Proverbs is all about pursuing harmony with God and others through the pursuit of wisdom. Ultimately this harmony
is found only through the work of Jesus Christ. Proverbs is all about becoming wise in the everyday stuff of life
through a relationship with Jesus through the gospel. Because Proverbs is written in a different style than other books
such as the Epistles and Gospels, it is important to understand some basic principals for understanding and applying
the wisdom it contains.
Guiding Principles for Wisdom-
Integration with Life: The principles of Proverbs are to be integrated into your life (for the long view of life, not
overnight solutions).
Gender specific: There are different principles given to both genders based on the biblical definition of
complementarian gender roles.
Repetition required: Proverbs repeats itself in order to make a point; in the same way, we are to repeatedly practice
the principles given to us.
Practical theology: Proverbs is “practical theology” meaning what God has to say “practically” about your life. God
is active in the details of His people’s lives.
Truisms not promises: Proverbs are truisms, meaning that they are things that under normal circumstances are
always true, but are not promised outcomes.
Principles not methods: Proverbs are principles to put into practice in order to achieve a godly outcome, not
methods like “how to get rich” or “how to raise a good son”, and are often as equally about heart attitudes as they are
the practice.
Early parenting shapes life course: Parenting matters. Preparing, instructing, modeling, and depending on
the grace of God for the raising of children in the covenant community matters!
Wisdom is a person. The word for proverb in vs. 1 in the septuagent is the a word sometimes used for the parables of
Jesus (John 10:6). Jesus is the “greater than Solomon” who instructs in the wisdom of the Kingdom. Empowering
grace from God to those already in covenant with Him is the only means by which the wisdom of Proverbs can be
profitably heeded.
Summation of the Book:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7, ESV
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