Webster’s Dictionary defines a proverb as a short, pithy saying, expressing a well-known truth or fact.
There are all kinds of proverbs, derived from most all cultures in the world. There are Chinese, African, Irish and of course English proverbs among others. Some are serious and some are just humorous but often do suggest a serious thought: You’ve probably heard these... A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush... A camel is a horse designed by a committee... A cat has nine lives... Once you pour the water out of the bucket it's hard to get it back in it. How about this one... Better die with honor than live with shame. Some proverbs are associated with the people who wrote them, such as Confucius and Sophocles. But no proverbs of man can match the wisdom and practical counsel contained in the proverbs of God.
The Bible Book of Proverbs is without question one of the world’s greatest resources of wisdom. The wisdom of God given to humanity. Throughout Proverbs, wisdom, or the wise person, is compared and contrasted with foolishness or the fool. 'Fool' in Proverbs indicates one who is lacking in morality and uninterested in correction, not one who is merely silly or playful. Wisdom is held up as something worth effort to attain and the reader is told that it starts with the person of God.
The purpose for Proverbs in the Bible is given in its introduction. Proverbs 1:2–6: “for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”
All true wisdom comes from God, so what we get in Proverbs is personal advice from God about how to look at His world. It is genuine, earthy advice about how to deal with such things as scoffers, loose women, and a good wife.
There are such practical helps as the soft answer (Prov. 15:1), the things God hates (Prov. 6:16–19), and some solid warnings and promises. That really is the heart of what God wants to say to us in Proverbs. He wants to expand our vision—to seat us in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6)—so we see the world from his perspective. But woven throughout these warnings and blessings are some assurances we can rest in. For example, consider Proverbs 30:5–6: “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Because of human nature, we need to note that warning and the consequences of ignoring it.
Or consider these statements in Proverbs 5:18–21: “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife? For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.”
The wise thing to do leaps out at us. Rejoice in the wife of your youth, be infatuated with the one whom God has given you. Yet here, too, is a warning to not be infatuated with a loose woman. The last verse shows that God knows what your particular path is. He sees everything you think and do.
Because there are so many warnings and encouragements in each chapter of Proverbs, it is better to take shorter portions and ask God to share his wisdom with you. These five basic questions will help you get a deeper understanding of the wisdom from Proverbs and how to apply practical Godly wisdom in your everyday life:
1. What predicaments are described? For example, the writer talks about ruffians encouraging one of God’s people to ambush others (Prov. 1), the value of seeking wisdom (Prov. 2), dealing with loose women (Prov. 2, 5), diligence (Prov. 6), and belittling a neighbor (Prov. 11). Determine the situation the writer is discussing and ask God to prepare you for these types of encounters:
2. What can I learn about people? The writer mentions such people as scoffers (Prov. 9:7–8), a good wife (Prov. 12:4), and a hot-tempered man (Prov. 15:18). Look at what kind of person is being described, and ask God how you can best be prepared to deal with those you may encounter.
3. What principle can I learn about the right way to live? God wants us to understand what we should do and the blessings which result. Ask God to transform you by the renewing your mind, so you are not conformed to the world but instead see things from his perspective (Rom. 12:1–2).
4. What can I learn about what is foolish or harmful? Observe what you should avoid doing and the problems that result. Many times these will be contrasted in succeeding lines or verses, such as Proverbs 20:3: “It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife …” That is the positive side, but right after that comes, “but every fool is quick to quarrel.” In that same chapter we read, “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you” (Prov. 20:22).
5. What promises of assurance do I find? What God has said to do and not to do is grounded in his promise of help. Such assurances can be found in Proverbs 2:6—the Lord gives wisdom; Proverbs 3:26—the Lord will be your confidence; Proverbs 8:17—God loves those who love him; Proverbs 11:19—he who is steadfast in righteousness will live. What truths about God or life can a believer trust in? That is the rest that God
wants you to have in these promises.
I hope you’re like me, the longer I live the more I want to be around and listen to wise people. Proverbs teaches us that we become like those with whom we associate. Be careful in the choice of your closest friends in life. The secret to life’s success is found in our choices. The way to success is to trust in the Lord with all your heart (3:6-8). Life can never be understood except in our relationship to Christ.
God must be at the center of a life well lived.
