Intro PT 2

  Proverbs – Intro pt. 2

The book of Proverbs belongs to the genre of “wisdom literature” along with Job and Ecclesiastes.  Thus in Proverbs the major theme is, “wisdom” the words wise or wisdom are used at least 125 times in Proverbs. So then what is wisdom?

Simply put wisdom is knowledge along with obedience.  Having knowledge of what is right and wrong is of no benefit if we do not do what is right.  Proverbs then is more than just getting knowledge it is also practical and includes application of that knowledge in our lives.  The first step to Biblical wisdom is found at the cross.

With out a proper relationship with Christ we have no hope of ever becoming wise.  This relationship leads us to acknowledge that God is the Creator and Ruler of all things.  This leads us to the affirmation that there is a moral law, outside of human reason and philosophies with which we must guide our lives.  To find this wisdom (moral compass) we must first find Christ, ““But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”

1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB

Jesus is the wisdom of God and to obtain wisdom we must first obtain Jesus.  Again and again in Proverbs we are told to get wisdom.  To look back now in retrospect we see the author pointing us to Christ.  This wisdom is to become a practical part of our lives. It is to guide us in every area of our daily living and as we go thru the book of Proverbs we will see applications to almost everything.

Although Proverbs is a collection of short sayings with a point, they are much more.  These proverbs were selected by God to be included in His Word.  Therefore, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 tell us that ”All Scripture is” good for: doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction and righteousness.“  So, God uses Proverbs to help us remember Biblical principals. We man not remember what the pastor said on Sunday but we can all recall, “Pride goes be for the fall” or “A gentle answer turns away wrath”.  This is a the key point, Proverbs are easy to remember and easy to teach.

One last thing to say about Proverbs.  They are not to be taken as promises from God.  A Proverb is a generalized statement about what is usually true in life.  But, it may not be true in all applications.  Proverbs is full of may things we would do or not do to have a full life.  If we followed all of these things it is not a promise of a long life, we could step off a curb tomorrow and be killed by a car.  But, it is a guide for us to live life wiser. If we did we would greatly cut down on the troubles and problems that we often bring upon ourselves.

We are called by God to be wise, to receive His Son, who is the wisdom of God.  To live our lives in a way that brings glory to God. To do this we cannot live as the foolish, but we must take hold of wisdom in our life. We must skillfully apply God’s wisdom and live worthy of our calling.