The book of Proverbs can be considered in an educational setting as we get glimpses of an older person speaking to a younger person about reflections on living right. It could also be seen as in a court room setting on good decision making. Solomon’s wisdom was broad and deep. See 1 Kings 4:29-34. We are told that he spoke 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. Yet he was far from perfect. His many wives divided his heart and caused him to allow idol worship in Israel.

Clay tablets have been found in Elba dated around 2400-2250 BC and in other sites. These were wisdom writings that could be held in the hands. The tablets were stored in a library and give an insight into the Middle-Eastern mind. Wisdom sayings were not unique to Israel but were uniquely used by God. God used wisdom literature to download his own revelation by using terminology that people understood well. E.g. Covenant. The Eastern world used incisive wording with striking images rather than the Western modern systematic arrangement. The book of Proverbs is not about promises. It is about wise living. It is a portable saying. It reflects the way life tends to work. It is a flash of light into a dark unknown place. It is the physical relating to a spiritual truth. It shows the wit of one and the combined wisdom of many. It is important that it is easily memorised and often repeated and gives some pithy teaching.

1 – Formation not more information

We have a glut of information that we can access in seconds. Just Google it! We are not going to suffer from a lack of information in the Information Age! However, we are being robbed of a sense of awe and wonder. This intellectual power does not guarantee wisdom. God wants to form people into an intellectual and moral maturity that leads to wisdom.

2 – Holistic not dualistic

We cannot hold on to the old life. The scared and the secular must be the same. The Greek scholars believed that there was a line that separated our life into two spheres and this was fatal to their thinking. We see these today in attempts to separate public and private life to excuse behaviour. The Bible doesn’t recognise it and neither does God! There is one unified life of God’s experience. You cannot excuse your behaviour with God! God wants “shalom” – things to be whole and complete. The ordinary life and the life of faith is one.

Life is to be a life-long learning experience and we need to have a teachable spirit. We see an example of someone like this in the Book of Acts. See Acts 18:24-28, Apollos was well-taught and spirit-filled and yet he still needed to take lessons from Priscilla and Aquila whom we know was humble tent makers (See Acts 18:2-3). It is important to let God keep you open but not gullible. It is a tragedy when people get stuck. Keep an “L plate” in your mind! Learning is a way to live and not a chore.

3 – Process not a package

See Proverbs 9:9. You are engaging in a process of learning as not all in life is black and white. See 2 Kings 5:18. Naaman asks for forgiveness when his official duties require him to lend an arm when his elderly master bows down in the temple of Rimmon, so Naaman will naturally kneel down with him. Naaman may physically kneel as he supports his master, but he will not worship. The story reveals the principle that God cares about the heart more than the actions. It is not possible to live life to a neat formula.

4 – Practical not merely intellectual

You don’t need brain power to be wise. You don’t get wisdom from university. Wisdom is not an academic achievement See Proverbs 21:22. It is not about brute strength. You could go to university and then go to the workplace and find you know little! See Proverbs 2:6. Academic training does not guarantee spiritual leaders. You don’t learn in university the values of being upright, blameless, faithful and just. We need people of courage who are willing to cross the line. Proverbs is like a tool box. See Exodus 31. Belzalel had ability, intelligence and knowledge which resulted in all craftsmanship. He was an artist! He built the Temple of Meeting and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Notice the cluster of words “ability, intelligence and knowledge”. It appears several times in the Scriptures. See Proverbs 3:19. They describe the creator of the cosmos. God is like an artist who uses skills to create. Are we robbing God of our own creativity? See Proverbs 24:3. This same creativity is used in building a house – and not just brick and motors. Don’t underestimate the skills needed to have a successful marriage, manage a home and raise children and then grandchildren. They all require practical wisdom.

5 – Ordered not determined

Wisdom seeks to discover the order of the Universe. Determinism sees only cause and effect. It is mechanical in its thinking.

6 – Popular not elitist

It is accessible to all. Wisdom is not just for one group. It does not require a high academic qualification. It is offered to all. Folly is never too far away! Proverbs is wisdom to go! To carry around and to carry out!

Categories: Proverbs