Holman Old Testament Commentary - Proverbs

Max Anders

• Publisher: Holman Reference
• Year: 2005
• Print ISBN: 9780805494723
• eBook ISBN: 9781433674389
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Commentary

One in a series of twenty Old Testament verse-by-verse commentary books edited by Max Anders. Includes discussion starters, teaching plan, and more. Great for lay teachers and pastors alike.

Chapter 1

The Source of Wisdom

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Proverbs 1:1-7; 22:17-21

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I. INTRODUCTION

The Wisest Man Who Ever Lived

II. COMMENTARY

A verse-by-verse explanation of these verses.

III. CONCLUSION

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

An overview of the principles and applications from these verses.

IV. LIFE APPLICATION

Lessons from Robin Hood

Melding these verses to life.

V. PRAYER

Tying these verses to life with God.

VI. DEEPER DISCOVERIES

Historical, geographical, and grammatical enrichment of the commentary.

VII. TEACHING OUTLINE

Suggested step-by-step group study of these verses.

VIII. ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

Zeroing these verses in on daily life.

“Knowledge is horizontal. Wisdom is vertical—
it comes down from above.”

Billy Graham

Proverbs 1:1–7 introduces the entire Book of Proverbs, identifies its primary author, calls for the reader to gain wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and prudence, and declares that the beginning point of this kind of wisdom is to fear the Lord. Then, Proverbs 22:17–21 tells us that if we commit ourselves to a study of the proverbs, it will be pleasing to us, our trust will be in the Lord, and we will have sound answers to the questions of life.

The Source of Wisdom

I. INTRODUCTION

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The Wisest Man Who Ever Lived

You are already familiar with one of the most amazing stories of wisdom ever told. Two women brought an infant son to the king, each claiming to be the true mother. They both claimed that the other woman had suffocated her own son in the middle of the night by rolling over on top of him without realizing it. And, having suffocated her own son, she was trying to steal the other woman's son, claiming it to be her own.

The king called for a swordsman to cut the baby in half and give half to each woman. The first women said, “Fine with me! If I can't have him, I don't want her to have him either.” The second woman screamed in horror and begged the king to give the son to the first woman.

The king, revealing his wisdom, said, “Give the baby to the second woman. She is his mother.”

When the people heard about the judgment the king had handed down, they were stunned! The implications of this kind of wisdom were actually frightening. It was as though the king could peer into their souls. There was no pulling the wool over this man's eyes! It was time for honesty and integrity!

The king who handed down this judgment was Solomon, regarded as the wisest man who ever lived. His wisdom was a gift from God. When he was crowned king, he asked God not for riches or success over his enemies but for wisdom. God was pleased with the request and granted it in greater measure than any other human being except Christ.

It is this man—renowned as the wisest man who ever lived—who wrote the Book of Proverbs. He knew what he was talking about. When he spoke, it was time to listen. Now we begin our study of Proverbs. Solomon will speak. We should listen.

II. COMMENTARY

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The Source of Wisdom

MAIN IDEA: Wisdom is the most important thing a person can acquire in life. It comes from God. Pay attention to these proverbs and apply your heart to them so that you can profit from them.

The Purpose of Proverbs (1:1-7)

SUPPORTING IDEA: These proverbs were written to impart wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

1:1. The Hebrew word for “proverb” can have a broader meaning than the typical American usage. It means a “comparison,” or a “brief, pithy saying,” or an “ethical saying.” In this context the word refers to several different kinds of insightful sayings and observations.

Though Solomon is declared to be the author of Proverbs in 1:1, it is clear that someone other than Solomon wrote some of the content of this book. The entire contents of the book were collected over a period of time. Solomon's name appears three times in this book, each time apparently introducing a section in the book that was written by him. His name appears in 1:1, probably announcing authorship for Proverbs 1:1-9:18; in 10:1, probably announcing his authorship of 10:1-22:16; and in 25:1 for chapters 25 through 29.

1:2. Verse 2 begins a summary statement about why the Book of Proverbs was written: first, for attaining wisdom, discipline, and understanding, Lofty goals for sure! The Hebrew word for “wisdom” is transliterated hokmah and means “skill or expertise in living.” Just as a person might be a skilled craftsman, musician, or mediator, so a person might be skilled in the living of life. The purpose of Proverbs is that a person might gain such skill.

The Hebrew word for “discipline” is musar, meaning “moral discipline, instruction, or correction.” Even after a person knows how to live skillfully, he must have the personal discipline to do so. Finally, the Hebrew word for “understanding” is binah and carries the idea of “discernment.”

In summary, then, the purpose of Proverbs is that the reader might gain skill for living life, the discipline to carry through with it, and the discernment to know whether one is “on course.”

1:3. Verse 3 expands the summary statement, repeating the need for discipline, adding prudence, which includes having good judgment with high moral standards, along with a high sense of justice and fairness.

1:4. Solomon targets a simple person and a young person, hoping to give both persons prudence, knowledge, and discretion. A simple person refers to someone who is untaught and naïve. It does not mean that he is intellectually limited or that he is a fool. Instead, he is one who is inexperienced, who simply hasn't lived life long enough, or who has not been instructed in wisdom. It is similar with the young person, though this person's need is perhaps clearer. A young person is one who is beginning to enter into the adult world; he has not had the range of life experiences or the physical and mental maturity to develop wisdom.

1:5. The target group is now expanded to include not just simple or young people but also wise and discerning people. Even they can learn from the Proverbs. We should all continue to grow in our knowledge, understanding, and wisdom as long as we live. No one should get complacent or feel that he has arrived.

1:6. The learning and guidance that the wise and discerning gain is for the purpose of understanding proverbs, parables, and sayings and riddles of the wise. This list of subjects helps us understand more of what is meant by the term proverbs. It is more than just a pithy saying. Part of Solomon's strategy to impart wisdom was to sharpen the mind by challenging wise and discerning people to increase their wisdom and discernment by pondering and interpreting proverbs, parables, and riddles.

1:7. Having stated his purpose in writing the proverbs, Solomon now gives his first and perhaps most important piece of instruction. The beginning point for becoming a wise person is the fear of the LORD. To fear the Lord does not mean to be frightened of him. Rather, it means to revere him, to honor him, to give him the proper place in one's life. If a person does not start out at the right place, he cannot expect to end up at the right place. Fearing the Lord is the place to begin in gaining wisdom to live life skillfully.

In contrast to the person who is wise and discerning because he fears the Lord, Solomon spotlights the fool. Fools despise wisdom and discipline. To despise means “to hold in contempt, to belittle, to ridicule” (Num. 15:31; Neh. 2:19). If anyone holds God in contempt, he will never be a wise person, and he will tend to live his life in violation of God's will. This will bring...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half Title
• Full Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Old Testament Commentary Contributors
• New Testament Commentary Contributors
• Old Testament Commentary
• Introduction to Proverbs
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 14
• Chapter 15
• Chapter 16
• Chapter 17
• Chapter 18
• Chapter 19
• Chapter 20
• Chapter 21
• Chapter 22
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 24
• Chapter 25
• Chapter 26
• Chapter 27
• Chapter 28
• Chapter 29
• Chapter 30
• Chapter 31
• Glossary
• Bibliography