By Seanathair Carmody
Introduction
When approaching the book of Proverbs there are a few important steps to consider.
It seems in our modern age, we seek a translation that we can understand the first time we read it. We seem, as a body of Christians, to be looking for the easy answers. We will put in years for a complete understanding of a field we may be interested in for work. We take four years for a Bachelors degree and call that undergrad education. Then, we take two more years to get a Masters. Two more years to get a doctorate. Then, we follow that with an apprenticeship of two more years before we are considered an expert.
When we approach the bible our thought is that we want to understand it at first reading.
How can we benefit from the bible in a simple reading of 15 minutes a day?
There are five keys that the Scripture presents to us that we will need if we truly seek to be more like Christ, to be all that God created us to be:
- Hear
- Read
- Meditate
- Memorize
- Study
We must hear. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him. Our desire is to do something for God. Like Martha we feel our value is in what we do. Jesus said the better part is to listen, to sit, at the feet of Jesus. He has also appointed shepherds and teachers to bring the word. Faith comes by hearing.
(a few words will be spoken about each of these aspects}
So, today as we look at the book of Proverbs, we will learn some things; though our deepest understanding will come from applying these five things in our personal time with God.
Authors
While most of the proverbs in the Book of Proverbs come from Solomon there are actually four writers mentioned:
- King Solomon (Prov. 1:1; 10:1)
- Men of King Hezekiah (who copied Solomon’s proverbs, 25:1)
- Agur (30:1)
- King Lemuel (31:1)
7 Collections
The book of Proverbs is also a collection of Proverbs, broken down into 7 collections:
“Proverbs contains six headings naming the genre and authorship of distinct collections within the book (1:1; 10:1; 24:23; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1). No heading occurs in 22:17, but the distinctive form of these ‘thirty sayings of the wise’ in 22:17-24:22, including its own preamble, fully justifies recognizing it as a distinct collection. Thus, the book of Proverbs consists of seven collections.” (Proverbs, Waltke & De Silva, 2021, p. 2)
Collection I (1:1 – 9:18)
Author: Solomon (1:1)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7)
“Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:” (Prov. 1:20-21)
“Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.” (Prov. 1:28)
“So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words,” (Prov. 2:16)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
“Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” (Prov. 4:6-9)
Collection II (10:1 – 22:16)
Author: Solomon (10:1)
“A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Prov. 10:4)
“The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
The hope of the righteous brings joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers.
The righteous will never be removed,
but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.” (Prov. 10:27-32)
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is his delight.” (Prov. 11:1)
Q: Why were several million dollars spent to create a sphere of 1 kilogram?
A: The creation of a sphere of 1 kilogram was a significant investment due to its role in redefining the kilogram based on the atomic properties of silicon. This project aimed to provide a more stable and universal definition of the kilogram, moving away from the traditional reliance on a physical object. The precision and smoothness of the silicon sphere allowed scientists to count the number of silicon atoms it contained with unprecedented accuracy, which is crucial for determining the Avogadro constant. This constant is a fundamental constant in the International System of Units (SI) and is used to obtain Planck’s constant. The project involved meticulous techniques such as initial shaping, precision grinding, and final polishing to achieve the sphere’s unparalleled smoothness. The creation of this sphere represents a milestone in metrology, paving the way for more precise measurements across various scientific disciplines.
Collection III (22:17 – 24:22)
Author: “The Wise” (22:17); “probably adopted, adapted and appended by Solomon” (Waltke & De Silva, p. 6)
“By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Prov. 24:3-6)
Collection IV (24:23 – 34)
Author: “The Wise” (24:23); “probably adopted, adapted and appended by Solomon” (Waltke & De Silva, p. 6)
“I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.” (Prov. 24:30-34)
Collection V (25:1 – 29:17)
Author: “men of Hezekiah” retelling Solomon’s proverbs (25:1)
Collection VI (30:1 – 33)
Author: Agur (30:1)
Collection VII (31:1 – 31)
Author: King Lemuel (31:1)
Prayer for wives inspired by Prov. 31
Praying for my wife:
May my wife know that her price is far above rubies.
May my heart safely trust in her , and the
abundance her presence brings.
May I always keep in mind she is a benefit, and not a distraction.
Because she desires to be a help mate, help me make it easy to be one.
Bless her as she goes out her way to be a blessing.
May she always have a servant's heart.
Empower her to be trusted as a steward. Give her an understanding of finances and investing.
Bless her in her efforts as she desires to be fit.
May she understand her value.
Bless her as she develops skills that are suited to her uniqueness.
Bless her with creative ways as she cares for the poor.
Bless her with wisdom in how she dresses her household.
May she be able to sit with royalty, and play with children in the sand. To not lose the common touch.
Help me work to be respected as a man among men.
May she have the strength of influence and be honored. Inspiration.
That the virgins would seek her out.
May her life be filled with rejoicing.
That she will have Wisdom
May kindness be spoken from her lips.
May she be industrious
As an overseer, help her be observant and wise in the distribution of responsibilities.
May her children rise up to call her blessed.
Fill me with praise for her.
May her most attractive feature be that she
fears the Lord.
May she be praised by the many lives she touches.
God Changed Me Through Proverbs
God used the Proverbs to bring about a profound change in my life over a period of 10 weeks of intense reading and prayer, and some lessons I learned through that time.
God Changes Us Through Proverbs
What Proverbs have profoundly influenced you?
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