Overview of the Book of Proverbs

Overview of the Book of Proverbs

The overview of the week for this Sunday is the Book of Proverbs. What is a proverb? Well, a proverb is a short pithy saying that is meant to state a truth or give a piece of advice. So the Book of Proverbs is a collection of such sayings compiled around the 10th century BC.

The Opening Purpose of Proverbs

And the book begins with these words, chapter one, verses one through three, the Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity.

So the theme of Proverbs is wisdom. Or you could say there's two major themes that run throughout Proverbs, wisdom and folly or wisdom versus folly. Proverbs chapter nine, verse 10 says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.

Wisdom Versus Folly in Proverbs

And of course, folly is everything that is opposite to wisdom. Just a couple of verses on that. Proverbs 18 verse 13, he who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly to him and a shame to him.

Proverbs 22, 15 says, foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him. Now, we always like to highlight what the Old Testament says about Christ. And I think we see something said about him in Proverbs chapter 30, verse four, which says who has ascended into heaven or descended, who has gathered the wind in his fist, who has bound the waters in a garment, who has established all the ends of the earth.

Christ as the Wisdom of God

There's only one person that could be talking about, which is God. And it says, what is his name? And what is his son's name? If you know, and of course we do know his son's name is Christ Jesus of whom the apostle Paul says in first Corinthians one 24, that Christ is the wisdom of God.

The Call to Get Wisdom and Understanding

So in conclusion, Proverbs four, verse seven, again, the theme is wisdom. This verse says, wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.