The Most Valuable Thing In The World Series

6. Do you think that wisdom about any of these things would be helpful in your life?

D. So, what exactly is the book of Proverbs?

1. It is a book written mostly by King Solomon the 3rd king of Israel.

a. Scholars credit King Solomon with chapters 1-24, and chapters 25-29 are more of Solomon’s proverbs that are called King Hezekiah’s collection, and then the final two chapters are by Agur and King Lemuel.

2. The book of Proverbs unlike any other book of the Bible.

a. Most Bible books come either in the form of narrative, which tells a story, or in a letter filled with teachings from a spiritual leader to a person or a group of believers.

b. Proverbs is a 31 chapter catalog of short, pithy remarks on everything from keeping a lid on your temper to the side effects of too much booze.

c. Unlike most Bible books, a verse you read in Proverbs may address an entirely different topic that the verse before it or after it.

3. Our English word for “proverb” comes from two Latin words which mean “instead of words.”

a. So, a proverb is a sentence of condensed wisdom that is offered in place of a long presentation.

b. A proverb tries to make a point by summarizing a general principle with a vivid illustration, like Proverbs 11:22, which says: Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

1. A longer essay could not drive home the point any better than that proverb as it teaches the truth that “poor character spoils a woman’s attractiveness.”

4. As we work to understand and apply the Proverbs, we have to keep in mind that we can’t interpret Proverbs in the same way we interpret statements of fact or promises.

a. Instead, we must find the general point or broad principle in a proverb without turning it into a rigidly absolute statement or promise.

b. Ancient Hebrew wisdom literature tended to make general statements without worrying about the exceptions and depended on the reader’s common sense to understand the difference.

c. For example, Proverbs 16:3 assures success to those who first commit their plans to God, but committing plans alone to the Lord does not guarantee prosperity.

d. If the plans are foolish plans, then committing them to the Lord doesn’t guarantee their success.

e. Nevertheless, committing our plans to the Lord is always a good thing to do.

5. Another thing we have to keep in mind about the proverbs is that they often include hyperbole, which is a figure of speech that overstates a matter in order to drive home the point.

a. Consider Proverbs 15:25 that says: The Lord tears down the proud man’s house but He keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.

b. The proverb wasn’t trying to say that the minute pride infects you, then the walls of your house will literally collapse.

c. The point of the proverb is that God resists the proud but defends the helpless and humble.

E. So, how did Solomon end up with all of this valuable wisdom? I’m glad you asked.

1. When Solomon was just 15 years old, he inherited the throne of Israel from his father David.