Main Text: Proverbs 1:1-6 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, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

"This book is a guidebook and directory for godly conduct. All ranks and classes have their word in season. The king on his throne is instructed as from God. The principles of national prosperity or decay are laid open. The rich are warned of their besetting temptations. The poor are cheered in their worldly humiliation. Wise rules are given for self-government. This book bridles the injurious tongue, corrects the wanton eye, and ties the unjust hand in chains. It prevents sloth, chastises all absurd desires, teaches prudence, raises man's courage, and represents temperance and chastity after such a fashion, that we cannot but have them in veneration. Sound principles of family order and discipline are inculcated. Domestic economy is displayed in its adoring consistency. Even the minute courtesies of daily life are regulated. Self-denying consideration of others, and liberal distribution are enforced. All this diversified instruction is based upon the principles of true godliness. That is not sound faith, that does not issue in practical godliness." Charles Bridges

 

I. The proverb: mawshawl, superiority in mental activity.

A. I Kings 4:29-34 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

B. Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 

II. The purpose of the proverbs.

A. Wisdom (verse 2)--skillfulness.

B. Instruction--warning, correction.

C. To perceive the words of understanding--mentally separate.

D. To receive the instruction of wisdom (verse 3)--the restraint of circumspection.

E. Justice--moral or legal right.

F. Judgment--judicial verdict, legal decree.

G. Equity--evenness, straightness.

H. Subtlety--discretion for the easily misled.

I. Knowledge--cunning, awareness.

J. Discretion--wise intent.

K. Hearing, learning, wise counsel, understanding, interpretation, words of the wise, dark counsels.

 

III. The foundational principle.

A. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

B. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

 

IV. The earnest quest for wisdom.

A. Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

B. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

V. The ultimate theme and beauty of proverbs.

A. Colossians 2:3 In [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

B. I Corinthians 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

C. I Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

"1st, Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present. 50th, Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any. 56th, Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company. 108th, When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence." Young George Washington's Rules of Civility (110 rules written at age 14)

 

"Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will for Christ's sake.

1. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolve to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

28. Resolved, to study the scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same." Young Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions (70 resolutions at age 19)

 

"This book will help us,

1. To form right notions of things, and to possess our minds with clear and distinct ideas of them, that we may know wisdom and instruction, that wisdom which is got by instruction, by divine revelation, may know both how to speak and act wisely ourselves and to give instruction to others.

2. To distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil - to perceive the words of understanding, to apprehend them, to judge of them, to guard against mistakes, and to accommodate what we are taught to ourselves and our own use, that we may discern things that differ and not be imposed upon, and may approve things that are excellent and not lose the benefit of them.

3. To order our conversation aright in all things. This book will give, that we may receive, the instruction of wisdom, that knowledge which will guide our practice in justice, judgment, and equity, which will dispose us to render to all their due, to God the things that are God's, in all the exercises of religion, and to all men what is due to them, according to the obligations which by relation, office, contract, or upon any other account, we lie under to them.

Note, Those are truly wise, and none but those, who are universally conscientious; and the design of the scripture is to teach us that wisdom, justice in the duties of the first table, judgment in those of the second table, and equity in both." Matthew Henry