Proverbs Synopsis
Proverbs is a book of Old Testament put in the category of wisdom literature along with Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Job, which is considered one of the oldest books of the Bible. The predominate theme is the fear of the Lord which applies to us when we implement the virtue of wisdom. Wisdom is the key word in Proverbs, used some 48 times in Proverbs and word wise is used 62 times. Wisdom simply put is understood as “skill” and “expertise.” Wise people live well and avoid common problems and handle other ones with insight.
Wisdom is rooted in the “fear of the Lord” (Prov. 1:7) Fear of the Lord is a conscious response to God’s Law. (Jam. 2:14-26). Wisdom is a synonym for righteousness in the book of Proverbs as we see in the Prologue. (Prov. 1:3) The Christian life is balanced by receiving counsel from fellow wise Christians. The Christian life cannot be a “Lone Ranger” life style. The Christian lives his life in the community of believers. The western culture instructs us to live our lives as individuals choosing our own way. Proverbs teaches us we do not live purely private lives but we accept the counsel of wise brothers and sisters within the church “bearing one another burdens” (Gal. 6:2). People who make important decisions without asking council of Godly friends are considered fools – Prov. 15:22. Jesus is the one who holds all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Col. 2:3, Jesus is the very wisdom of God. I Cor. 1:24.
Wisdom is rooted in the “fear of the Lord” (Prov. 1:7) Fear of the Lord is a conscious response to God’s Law. (Jam. 2:14-26). Wisdom is a synonym for righteousness in the book of Proverbs as we see in the Prologue. (Prov. 1:3) The Christian life is balanced by receiving counsel from fellow wise Christians. The Christian life cannot be a “Lone Ranger” life style. The Christian lives his life in the community of believers. The western culture instructs us to live our lives as individuals choosing our own way. Proverbs teaches us we do not live purely private lives but we accept the counsel of wise brothers and sisters within the church “bearing one another burdens” (Gal. 6:2). People who make important decisions without asking council of Godly friends are considered fools – Prov. 15:22. Jesus is the one who holds all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Col. 2:3, Jesus is the very wisdom of God. I Cor. 1:24.