The Title, Purpose, & Motto of the Book
November 4, 2019
Commentary
This book is compiled by Solomon, David’s wise, wealthy and famous son who was his successor to Israel’s throne (v. 1). He was David’s 10th Its purpose in general is to help us acquire and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of daily life. Proverbs was written so that you and I can become wise people, so that we will be more disciplined, and able to do what Is right. It states that it is particularly profitable to young people who in some areas of life are especially subject to temptation. It will also increase the wisdom of those who are already wise and expand their understanding of the basic principles of life (vv. 2-4). Readiness to learn should be the characteristic of the truly wise person. The first step to wisdom is silence “a wise man will hear.” The second step is listening “and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (v. 5). He goes on to say there is no true knowledge apart from the fear of the Lord (vv. 6-7). All that pretend to be wise and leave the Lord out are fools. The word wisdom occurs thirty-seven times in this book and the word instruction occurs twenty-six times.
It is a sad day when a person isn’t willing to learn new things and especially as it comes from the Word of God. It is sort of like cutting a piece of wood too short when you are building something and not listening to the “pro” who told us how to measure it. It is even more serious when we mess up our lives by not listening to “The Pro” Solomon when he says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Hearing a father’s instruction and cleaving to a mother’s law are the things that make a young person’s life beautiful (vv. 8-9). Throughout the Bible you will find that obedience to parents runs parallel to being in subjection to God. Ephesians 6:1 where it says, “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right” is an example of this admonition. There is a similar passage in Colossians 3:20 that says, “Children obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” On the other hand, disobedience to parents is one of the warnings of the last days in II Timothy 3:1-5.
Application
Lord, help me to be a person who is listening, testing and learning as God tries to teach me His truth through His Word.
Proverbs 1:1– 9 (NET)
1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To learn wisdom and moral instruction, to discern wise counsel.
3 To receive moral instruction in skillful living, with righteousness, justice, and equity.
4 To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, a discerning plan to the young person.
5 (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!)
6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fearing the Lord is the beginning of discernment, but fools have despised wisdom and moral instruction.
8 Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother.
9 For they will be like an elegant garland on your head, and like pendants around your neck.