Unveiling the Quest for Wisdom in Proverbs
Delve into the profound teachings of Proverbs as it explores the pursuit of wisdom, offering guidance on upright living, the fear of the LORD, and the quest for knowledge through the exploration of two contrasting paths. Rich in insights, this exploration navigates the importance of wisdom, the principles of discernment, and the rewards of the noble quest for understanding.
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Treasure Hunting and the Quest for Nobility in Proverbs Hands to the Plow Ministries with Bethlehem College & Seminary Jason S. DeRouchie, PhD
Proverbs at a Glance Prologue: The importance of wisdom Proverbial Collections Proverbs of Solomon I Sayings of the Wise I Sayings of the Wise II Proverbs of Solomon II Sayings of Agur Sayings of Lemuel 1:1 9:18 10:1 31:9 10:1 22:16 22:17 24:22 24:23 34 25:1 29:27 30:1 33 31:1 9 Epilogue: A wife of wisdom 31:10 31
Prologue (1:19:18) Introduction (1:1 7): Two Ways: Positive To know wisdom Instruction in wise dealing Prudence Knowledge Discretion Learning Guidance Fear of the LORD Negative Fool
Prologue (1:19:18) Introduction (1:1 7): Two Ways: Prov 1:10, 15 16. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent . 15Do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their path, 16for their feet run to evil. Prov 2:20. So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. Prov 10:29. The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. Prov 15:9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
The goal: To help the wise (vv. 56) produce knowledge (v. 2), upright practice (v. 3), and discretion in when to apply both (v. 4). The fear of the LORD: The beginning of the quest, which is not engaged in by fools (v. 7; cf. 9:10). Prov 1:7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov 9:10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
The goal: To help the wise (vv. 56) produce knowledge (v. 2), upright practice (v. 3), and discretion in when to apply both (v. 4). The fear of the LORD: The beginning of the quest, which is not engaged in by fools (v. 7; cf. 9:10). The goal of the quest (2:5) Prov 2:4 5. If you seek [wisdom] like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
The goal: To help the wise (vv. 56) produce knowledge (v. 2), upright practice (v. 3), and discretion in when to apply both (v. 4). The fear of the LORD: The beginning of the quest, which is not engaged in by fools (v. 7; cf. 9:10). The goal of the quest (2:5). What characterizes the quest (8:13). Prov 8:13. The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.
The goal: To help the wise (vv. 56) produce knowledge (v. 2), upright practice (v. 3), and discretion in when to apply both (v. 4). The fear of the LORD: The beginning of the quest, which is not engaged in by fools (v. 7; cf. 9:10). The goal of the quest (2:5). What characterizes the quest (8:13). Something praiseworthy (31:30). Prov 31:30. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Wisdom: The applied knowledge by which God oversees and governs his world (Prov 8:22 31) and by which humans, through fear of God, are to do the same as his representatives. For people, wisdom is about making right choices out of the fear of God.
The audience and the personification of wisdom and folly. The book is written to a youthful male audience, for whom women are to be desirous. Prov 1:4. . . . to give prudence to the youth. (Cf. 7:7; 20:11; 22:6, 15; 23:14; 29:15). Prov 1:8. Hear, my son, your father s instruction. (Cf. e.g., 2:1; 3:1, 11, 21; 4:1, 10, 20; etc.) The goal: Shape royal nobility in the path of life.
Wisdom and folly as women: Abstract nouns are usually feminine in Hebrew (e.g., wisdom, law, understanding, love) The texts: Lady wisdom (1:20 33; 3:13 20; 4:5 9; 7:4 5; 8:1 31; 9:1 12) Dame folly (9:13 18; cf. 2:16 19; 5:3 8; 6:23 24; 7:5) In whose house will you dwell? Wisdom (9:1 12) Folly (9:13 18)
The Son of God as Wisdom in Proverbs Israel s redemptive hope: A royal son of God. 2 Sam 7:14, 16. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men. . . . 16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.
A king who embodies Gods wisdom, fearing God and walking in his ways. Deut. 17:18 19. And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them. Deut 4:6. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
David and his royal son as the embodiment of wisdom The superscription (1:1): The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. Recalls Davidic kingdom promises (2 Sam 7:14, 16). Proverbs as royal wisdom, designed to train nobility who embody messianic hope. Our knowledge of Solomon s faults points to one greater than Solomon as the ultimate royal son who would embody wisdom.
David, the shadow of wisdom embodied. Prov 51:6. Behold, you [O God] delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 1 Kgs 2:2 3. I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.
Prov 4:39. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 4he taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. 5Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. 8Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 9She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.
The Son of God as Wisdom Prov 30:1 6. The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. 3I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. 4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son s name? Surely you know! 5Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
The Son of God as Wisdom Prov 30:1 6. The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. 3I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. 4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son s name? Surely you know! 5Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
The Son of God as Wisdom Prov 30:1 6. The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. 3I have not learned wisdom, nor [lit., but] have I knowledge of the Holy One. 4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son s name? Surely you know! 5Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
The Son of God as Wisdom Prov 30:1 6. The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. 3I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. 4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son s name? Surely you know! 5Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
The Son of God as Wisdom Prov 30:1 6. The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. 3I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. 4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son s name? Surely you know! 5Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Christs wisdom was shown in his teaching and proven in his deeds. Matt. 11:2, 19. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples. . . . 19[Jesus said,] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. Matt. 13:54. And coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
Christs wisdom was greater than Solomons. Matt. 12:42. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
The gospel is the wisdom of God. 1 Cor. 2:7 8. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Christ is the wisdom of God for us. 1 Cor. 1:22 24, 30. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. . . . 30And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
Christ and wisdom are united in the way they display and point to God. The image of the invisible God The firstborn of all creation The beginning The dwelling place of all the fullness of God The mediator of and master workman over the creation.
Prov. 8:2231. Yahweh possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. 27When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.
Col. 1:1519. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
Christs exaltation over all things demands the same homage that wisdom itself commands. Prov. 8:32 36. And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from Yahweh, 36but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.
Phil. 2:511. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
