Lord’s Day, Vol. 12. No. 32
Opening the Book of Proverbs II
King Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs. This is highlighted in the book’s three major sections in Proverbs 1:1, 10:1, 25:1.
Proverbs 1:1 (KJV) The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
Proverbs 10:1 (KJV) The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
Proverbs 25:1 (KJV) These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
The theme of the Book of Proverbs is “wisdom”, to find godly, practical wisdom for daily living. And to receive this wisdom, the prerequisite is to have the right spiritual attitude – the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 1:6-7 (KJV) To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Having the fear of the LORD, a reverence for the LORD that enables one to have a ready mind and heart to imbibe and obey the truth of God’s wisdom.
Solomon uses the words “fool” (1:7), “simple ones” and “scorners” (1:22) to denote those who despise, hate and did not choose the fear of the LORD (1:29).
Solomon also shows the frightening consequence of their choices in rejecting God’s wisdom – Proverbs 1:24 (KJV) Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Solomon further elaborated concerning their dreadful end, in Proverbs 1:25-28 (KJV) But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:… Proverbs 1:31-32 (KJV) Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But for the God-fearer, Solomon has these words of encouragement that he shall dwell safely and be protected from evil in Proverbs 1:33 (KJV) But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Having the fear of the LORD, Solomon went on to teach us how we may obtain this wisdom in Proverbs chapter 2. It is by the diligent searching and study of the Scriptures – I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you (1:23b).
Wisdom is to be sought like the zeal one would have to search for hidden treasure. The value of it is well worth the effort put in to find it (2:1-6). He elaborated on the effect of God’s wisdom is that he is protected from the evil man and his pernicious ways – Proverbs 2:10-12a (KJV) When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understand shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the evil man…
Solomon says in Proverbs 1:7b “… but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The God-fearer will find God’s wisdom because he is willing to be taught. The word “instruction” means “discipline, chastening, correction.” The word “despise” means “to look down on with disrespect or aversion, to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful.
The way of God is called “the way of good men” and also “the path of the righteous” (2:20). These men are also called “upright” and the “perfect – complete, mature” who walk in the way of God. These will dwell and remain in the land because God protected them whereas the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and transgressors shall be rooted out of it (2:22).
Thus, Solomon urges his readers to have the right heart attitude to reverence the LORD and seek and obey His ways.
Having the right attitude to seek the LORD and to reverence His ways requires “rectitude”, the quality of being straight, that is, having moral integrity, a state of being correct in judgment or procedure. To this, Solomon admits it requires faith in God’s Word and God’s ways.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Although one may not fully understand the reasons for God’s instruction, he nevertheless, realizes that he is finite and limited in his understanding and God knows better. Therefore, he is willing to yield and submit himself to God’s will and follow God’s way.
Proverbs 3:7-8 (KJV) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Solomon then cites the first example in giving to the LORD – Proverbs 3:9-10 (KJV) Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
The man who is “wise in his own eyes” will reason with himself, if I give to the LORD first, I will have less to spend for my needs, it doesn’t add up to give! How can one give and thus loses what he gives and yet prosper? It defies common logic. That is what it means to trust the LORD, to have faith in the promise of the LORD that he will recompense the cheerful giver.
The second example is the peaceable fruits that come in yielding to God’s discipline – Proverbs 3:11-12 (KJV) My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
The benefits of God’s wisdom are true happiness – Proverbs 3:13 (KJV) Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
It is the way that prolongs life and it is the way of peace – Proverbs 3:16-17 (KJV) Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Denis Gibson observed well, “Life lived in obedience to God brings not only long life but also quality life”. A life worth living!
This peace which means “rest” in God, not rebellious but yielding to God, is a foretaste of Eternal Peace.
John 14:27 (KJV) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Hebrews 4:9 (KJV) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
It means an inward peace that comes because one is at peace with God. And our peace comes when we have received Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for our sins, and thus our sins are forgiven. It is also a peace that comes when one finds peace by walking in the ways of God.
It enables one to do good and not evil for the benefit of others when it is within one’s means to do so (3:27-29). It enables one to not envy the prosperity of the wicked but to live justly, humbly receiving the glory that God lovingly bestows (3:30-35).
This theme of rectitude continues in Proverbs 4, “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her for she is thy life.” (4:13).
The secret of such rectitude is in keeping the heart, therein are the issues of life (4:23).
This is how it can be done – Guard your speech (4:24) and be steadfast to follow the LORD without deviating to the left or the right.
Solomon would go on to highlight the keeping of the 7th commandment – thou shall not commit adultery in chapter 5 in fleeing from the seduction of the strange woman and be faithful to your spouse.
Be careful in agreeing to be a guarantor for a friend or a stranger, quickly get out of it (6:1-5). Be not lazy, learn from the ant (6:6-11).
Be careful to keep far from the ways of the wicked who sows discord and cause disharmony (6:12-15). Stay far from seven deadly sins that God hates – (1) a proud look, (2) a lying tongue, (3) hands that shed innocent blood, (4) a heart that devises wicked imagination, (5) feet that be swift in running to mischief, (6) a false witness that speaks lies and (7) he that sow discord among brethren (4:16-19).
The repeated admonition on transgressing the 7th commandment to keep from the evil woman – Proverbs 6:24-29 (KJV) To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Solomon then gives the reason for obeying the 7th commandment – Proverbs 6:30-35 (KJV) Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Proverbs 6:23 (KJV) For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Proverbs 7 further illustrates the snare of the strange woman to the innocent young man who falls to her seduction.
In Proverbs 8, Solomon exhorts his readers to seek wisdom and defines the fear of the LORD when he said Proverbs 8:13 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Such sound wisdom preserves even kings, rulers and nobles (814:21).
In 8:22-31 is the amazing scene of the blessed joy of the Godhead between God the Father and God the Son before creation and how the Son created the universe and man so that God may have fellowship with man. That man may experience the joy of the blessed fellowship that existed between God the Father and the Son.
Again, the exhortation to seek God’s wisdom is the concluding thought of chapter 8 in Proverbs 8:34-36 (KJV) Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
In Proverbs 9, Solomon distinguishes between the scorner and the wise man – Proverbs 9:7-9 (KJV) He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Solomon reiterates what is the fear of the LORD – Proverbs 9:10-12 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. He concludes with further admonition to be wise and not fall for the foolish woman (4:13-
18). This closes the first section from Proverbs 1-9.
The second section from Proverbs 10-24 begins with the words in Proverbs 10:1 (KJV) The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
The father especially teaching the son is the portrayal of the proverbs. From here, the proverbs are often stand-alone verses of exhortation.
The discipline of the tongue – Proverbs 10:19 (KJV) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
The way of God’s blessing – Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
The preservation of the righteous – Proverbs 10:25 (KJV) As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
The just weight – Proverbs 11:1 (KJV) A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
The snare of pride – Proverbs 11:2 (KJV) When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
The snare of the talebearer – Proverbs 11:13 (KJV) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
The woman of discretion better than beauty – Proverbs 11:22 (KJV) As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
The blessing of the benevolent – Proverbs 11:24-25 (KJV) There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
The snare of trusting in riches – Proverbs 11:28 (KJV) He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Blessing of the diligent worker – Proverbs 12:11 (KJV) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
The snare of pride – Proverbs 13:10 (KJV) Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
The loving use of the rod – Proverbs 13:24 (KJV) He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
The way of death that seemed right – Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
The backslider pushes for his own ways – Proverbs 14:14 (KJV) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
The wisdom of answering softly – Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Better is God’s fear than much riches – Proverbs 15:16-17 (KJV) Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Let God determine what we will do – Proverbs 16:3 (KJV) Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
The fall of prideful – Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
The snare of the godly – Proverbs 16:27 (KJV) An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
A truly quiet house – Proverbs 17:1 (KJV) Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
A true friend – Proverbs 17:17 (KJV) A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
The slothful is a waster – Proverbs 18:9 (KJV) He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Haughtiness and Humility contrasted – Proverbs 18:12 (KJV) Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Getting wisdom and keeping the soul – Proverbs 19:8 (KJV) He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Picture of sloth – Proverbs 19:24 (KJV) A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Abstain from drinking – Proverbs 20:1 (KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Be honest – Proverbs 20:23 (KJV) Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
God determines even the action of kings – Proverbs 21:1 (KJV) The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
A good name – Proverbs 22:1 (KJV) A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Blessing of the kind hearted giver – Proverbs 22:9 (KJV) He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Fleeting earthly riches – Proverbs 23:4-5 (KJV) Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Seek wise counsel before going to war – Proverbs 24:6 (KJV) For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.
Sleep and povertycorrelated – Proverbs 24:33-34 (KJV) Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee