Proverbs

King Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32).  This book contains the ones inspired of God.

Solomon may not have spoken every proverb in the book (Prov 30:1), but he compiled and put the book together (Prov 1:1; 10:1; 25:1).  The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are inspired of God.  The word “proverb” comes from two Latin Words:  pro (instead of) and verba (words).  A proverb is wisdom packed in a short statement instead of many words.  Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are inspired of God.  Wisdom is the right use of knowledge (Prov 15:2).  The first seven verses form the introduction and state the purpose of the book.  Proverbs has a prophetic application (Prov 30:1; 31:1) for the godly remnant of Israel in the great tribulation.  The “strange woman” (mentioned 8 times) represents the great whore of Babylon (Rev 17).  Israel must have God’s wisdom to resist the antichrist and endure to the end (Jam 1:5; Rev 13:18).

Outline:

1. My Son (1-7)

“My son” is found 15 times in the first seven chapters. Subjects include:

A. Obedience to parents (1:8-9)

B. Companions (1:10-19)

C. Seek wisdom (1:20-2:22)

D. Blessings of wisdom (3:1-26)

E. Kindness (3:27-35)

F. Wisdom (4:1-13)

G. Depart from the way of the wicked (4:14-22)

H. The heart (4:23-27)

I. Adultery (5:1-23)

J. Surety (6:1-5)

K. Laziness (6:6-19)

2. Praise of Wisdom (8-9)

Wisdom is pictured as a righteous woman (8:1-11, 9:1-12) and in contrast folly is pictured as an evil woman (9:13-18).  Christ is wisdom personified (8:12-36).

3. Contrasts (10-15)

A series of proverbs contrasting wisdom and folly

4. Counsels (16-31)

A series of proverbs giving warnings and instructions on practical matters.

The book of Proverbs mentions 3 classes of men who are in need of wisdom: the fool, the simple, and the scorner.

1. The Fool (61x’s) hates instruction (1:7, 22), is self-confident (12:15), talks without thinking (29:11), and makes a mock at sin (14:9)

2. The Simple (14x’s) believes everything and everyone (14:15), easily led astray (7:7), and cannot see ahead (22:3)

3. The Scorner (13x’s) — seeks wisdom but can’t find it (14:6), is proud and haughty (21 :24), never profits from rebuke (9:7-8, 13: 1), causes contention and strife (22:10)

In contrast, we read about the wise man who listens to instruction (1:5), obeys what he hears (10:8), stores what he learns (10:14), is diligent in daily work (10:5), flees from sin (14:16), and watches his tongue (16:23).  There are 34 statements made about the wise in proverbs.