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Wise Guy Studies Introduction: I don't need No Education No, my grammar is not that bad ... it’s bad, but not as bad as the above listed title suggests. That is a quote from a rock group (Pink Floyd) from the ‘70's and ‘80's. The quote is in direct opposition to the teaching of the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is one of the most neglected books in the Bible. Especially is it neglected by the young - those for whom it was especially written. The book of Proverbs is the text book on how to avoid the school of hard knocks. Experience is a great teacher only because she has the most students. However, there is a better teacher: preparation. If I adequately prepare myself, I do not have to experience something to know its truth or value (I do not, for example, have to touch a hot stove to know that it will burn).
The book of Proverbs was written to give the young man the knowledge and wisdom that old men have learned by experience. The young man who learns the messages of the book of Proverbs always gets the proverbial horse before the cart ... he succeeds because he knows what brings success. The sad thing is that I’ve never been in a congregation of God’s people where the book of Proverbs was taught to the youth.
The Proverbs begin with an extended treatise on the value of wisdom. For 9 chapters Solomon tries to impress upon the young man the value of wisdom. Old men know the value of wisdom. Their lives demonstrate whether or not they have chased after wisdom or foolishness, but whichever they have chased after, they know the value of wisdom.
Solomon was world famous for his wisdom and his wise sayings. We know that his wisdom came from God. The story is found in 1st Kings. When Solomon came to the throne after his father, David, had died, the task was overwhelming for him. God came to Solomon in a vision and asked him, “What shall I give you?” Solomon answered, “I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen ... Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1Kings 3:5-9). The story goes on to tell how God blessed Solomon with wisdom unlike any man ever had. Unfortunately, in Solomon’s “mid-life” crises, he threw wisdom to the wind and chased after foolishness. But during his early years, and in his last days, he displayed great wisdom that was known throughout the world, and the Holy Spirit moved him to record that divinely given wisdom for us in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. You and I have the most wonderful opportunity. We have access to the same gift that God gave Solomon - we have before us, in the book of Proverbs, the very wisdom of God. I don’t know about you, but to me that is exciting!
Be careful when you read the Proverbs. While the first 9 chapters are a unit showing the nature and value of wisdom, the “pithy sayings” that make up the bulk of the book are not intended to be read as you would normally read a book. Each proverb is intended to be pondered and learned from. The divisions of chapters and verses in your Bible were not done by God. Well intentioned men made those divisions as an aid to Bible study and memorization. In this effort to study the Proverbs of Solomon, once we have looked at the unit on the nature and value of wisdom we will look at each of the proverbs thereafter one at a time. There are a few places in the Proverbs where there will be two or three related proverbs lumped together and we will take advantage of that. But for the most part I want to encourage you to look at these Divine messages individually, just as they were given. |
Monday Wednesday
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For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 |
