Proverbs: The Wisdom Book

The Book of Proverbs – The Wisdom Book

The books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon (also called Song of Songs) were all written by King Solomon, son of King David.

I Kings 4:32-34 says,

³² He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. ³³ Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. ³⁴ And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

This tells us that all the proverbs were not written at once, but throughout Solomon’s life. They are collected in the book of Proverbs for our instruction. King Solomon wrote about the everyday practical issues in life such as:

 

Thinking twice about becoming a co-signer on a loan: Prov. 6:1-4

1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt
or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—
² if you have trapped yourself by your agreement
and are caught by what you said—
³ follow my advice and save yourself,
for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.
Now swallow your pride;
go and beg to have your name erased.
⁴ Don’t put it off; do it now!
Don’t rest until you do.

Warning against laziness:  Prov. 18:9 (New Living Translation)

A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.

The advantages of speaking (and hearing) kind words: Prov. 16:24

Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Avoiding arguments: Prov. 17:14

Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.

 

Caution against unnecessary borrowing: Prov. 22:7

Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.

 

Warning against eating too many sweets and warning against visiting too much:

Prov. 25:16-17

¹⁶ Do you like honey?
Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

¹⁷ Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
or you will wear out your welcome.

 Even advice on caring for animals: Prov. 12:10

The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.

Aside from (and more important than) the above examples of wisdom for daily living mentioned above, there are also spiritual truths in the book of Proverbs. The most prominent of these the fact that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Prov. 1:7 (New King James Version)

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

The word “fear” the Hebrew word ‘Yirah’ means reverence: an attitude of deep respect. The New Living Translation of Prov. 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge. “ This line is repeated in Proverbs chapter 9:

Prov. 9:10 (New King James Version)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

In the book preceding the book of Proverbs, it is also written in Psalms 111:10:

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise him forever!

Prov. 3:5-8 tells us that instead of depending on our own intellect (and what we call our own common sense, we need to trust in God. He will lead us down the right paths and will keep us in good health.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.