PEERING INTO PROVERBS

By
Dr. 0. Wilburn Swaim, Th.D.

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Introduction:

Someone defined a proverb as "The practical outworking of inner spiritual wisdom." Perhaps that definition is akin to Philippians 2:12b, 13.

A kind of introduction is penned in Chapter One, through Verse Seven. Then, the "My Son," series of exhortations begins, in Verse Eight. The Series ends at the close of Chapter Seven.

Chapters Eight and Nine are designed to exalt "Wisdom." Wisdom is defined in Strong's, by "Skillful." That is, wisdom is the effective use of, or skillful exercise of knowledge. Note I Corinthian 1:30, ^[1] for the identification of ultimate Wisdom, or the Personification thereof, and you will know to Whom the Eighth of Proverbs refers.

Chapters Ten through the end of Solomon's gunshot offering of hundreds of proverbs (through Chapter 29, original with, or collected (Proverbs 1:6) ^[2] by him), are randomly presented. There is little need of considering the proverbs in context, as they are, for the most part, stand-alone, verse by verse.

The final two chapters are the work and words of Agur, and  King Lemuel, respectively. The latter emphasizes the honor of godly women, in marriage and motherhood.

This study will concern itself primarily with the first seven chapters of Proverbs, which build on a theme, and manifest a continuous context.

The reader will be left to build on that presented, for substance. The design herein is to provide a skeleton outline for guidance.

How to Walk With God (Proverbs 1 - 3:12)

Intro: These first seven verses of Chapter One introduce to the readers the author's desire for them: To obtain, manifest and profit from Wisdom; to be a wise servant, and not a fool.

Here an outline from the first three chapters, seeking to present the path of wisdom:

I.     Devilish Detours (1:8 - 33)

A. The Sinner Man (10 - 33)

1. Don't Associate with Him (11 - 14)

2. Don't Walk with Him (15 - 17)

3. Don't Die with Him (18 - 21)

4. Don't Be Like Him (22 - 33)

a. He Won't Learn (22, 23)

b. He Won't Turn (22, 24)

c. He Will Burn (25 - 33)

B. The Safe Companion (2:1 - 22)
Will Afford You:

1. Perception (5 - 7)

2. Preservation (8 - 11a)

3. Protection (11b - 22)
From:

a. The Sinner Man (12 - 15)

1) Don't Listen to His Perverseness (12)

2) Don't Follow in His Paths (13 - 15)

b. The Strange Woman (16 - 22)

1) Don't Listen to Her Flattery (16)

2) Don't Copy Her Example (17)

a) To Walk with the Dead (18)

b) To Walk to Your Doom (19)

II.   Divine Direction (3:1 - 12)

A. Obedience (1 - 4)

1. Study the Word (1)

2. Store the Word (3a)

3. Submit to the Word (3b)

B. Faith (5, 6)

C. Separation (7, 8)

D. Sharing (9. 10)

E. Submission (11, 12)

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[1] Consulting the Greek Text, in I Corinthians 1:30, there is justification for understanding the first occurrence of the word "and," to be viewed as "even."

[2] To the discerning student, this presents a challenge for the doctrine of divine inspiration. Only a principled view of inspiration can correlate with the idea of Solomon collecting worldly-wise sayings, and our viewing the book as inspired. Can you sort it out?