Proverbs
Overview – October 2015 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Proverbs
“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles” —Proverbs 1:5-6 NKJV
Like Psalms, Proverbs is poetic. Written by King Solomon in his younger years, it is a book of wise instruction in reference to every department of personal life and conduct. Its great, outstanding truth is simply this: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). The book’s warnings against subtle evils are accompanied by instruction of how to avoid them.
Proverbs presents things in their true light. Thus the reader may form a proper, clear judgment. It goes to the root of matters and shows the motives that produce certain actions, exposing to the reader the actual workings of his own heart. This book deals with the thoughts, mouth, lips, tongue, ear, eyes, hand and foot, as all are connected with the conduct of the individual. It shows faithfully the results of thoughts, words or actions, whether good or bad – the reaping of what is sown. Proverbs clearly teaches that only the true knowledge of the Lord can preserve anyone in ways of truth!
These truths therefore are principles tied to the kingdom of Solomon, which was established in peace. Therefore they are closely related to the principles of the kingdom of God, as in Matthew 5-7.
Chapter 25 begins with proverbs copied by the men of Hezekiah. These proverbs therefore were a provision of God for times when the kingdom was in a state of division and ruin. They are thus especially precious also for our day, the kingdom of heaven being in a state of degeneration.
The book, Proverbs, provides an excellent course in Christian psychology!
By Leslie M. Grant
This column is taken from the book: “The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.”
It is available for purchase from Believers Bookshelf USA.