Proverbs And Ecclesiastes Series

June 12, 2021

As we read Scripture, it is easy to get bogged down by all the perceived differences between the ancient and the modern and we wonder, "How does this apply to my life?”

My Favorite Thing About PROVERBS and ECCLESIASTES is that they are a practical guide to the value and benefit of pursuing Godly wisdom.

To truly understand the importance of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, we must first take a look at the life of Solomon.

A Brief History of Solomon

As the son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon became king of the United Kingdom of Israel when David died.

Solomon had a dream in which God asked him what he desired most. Solomon could have chosen anything, but he chose wisdom.

However, as time went on, Solomon began to make choices that led him away from God. Everything God told kings NOT TO DO {see Deuteronomy 17:14-20} Solomon DID:

• Don’t get your horses from Egypt = Guess where Solomon went for his horses. {1 Kings 10:26-28}

• Don’t have multiple wives, lest your heart be turned away = Guess how many wives/concubines Solomon had. {1 Kings 11:1-4}

• Don’t gather silver and gold for yourself = Guess Solomon’s annual salary {1 Kings 10:14}

Those choices led directly to the lasting fracture between Judah and Israel.

Jewish tradition says Solomon wrote:

• The Song in his youth – dedicating it to his 1st wife – Pharaoh’s daughter, who was Solomon’s one and only wife for twenty years. (see 1 Kings 3:1)

• Proverbs in the prime of his life.

• Ecclesiastes toward the end of his life.

Proverbs are general truths that develop from observing how the world works. They are practical sound bites of useful advice:

• Proverbs 4:20-23 - My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

• Proverbs 5:3-4 - For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

• Proverbs 10:10 - He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

• Proverbs 10:14 - Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

• Proverbs 12:19 - Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

• Proverbs 12:25 - An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

• Proverbs 13:24 - He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

• Proverbs 14:21 - He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

• Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away anger, but mean words stir up anger.

• Proverbs 16:2 - All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

• Proverbs 16:5 - The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

• Proverbs 17:15 - Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both.

• Proverbs 19:15 - Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.

• Proverbs 20:3 - It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

• Proverbs 21:9 - Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

• Proverbs 25:21-22 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

All excellent, but they are not all there is to the Book of Proverbs. Tied up in every piece of advice is Wisdom. Not worldly wisdom. Godly Wisdom:

• Proverbs 2:1-11 - My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-- every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.