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lesson 17 PROVERBS I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - Solomon, chapters 1 - 29. Chapters 30 is by Agur, son of Jakeh, and chapter 31 is by Kings Lemuel as taught by his mother. 2. Date - Solomon's proverbs were written by 931 B.C., and chapters 25-29 were collected by Hezekiah about 230 years later. 3. Setting - Words from the wise men of Israel II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK 1. Key Verses: 1:2-7; 8:22-31 2. Theme: Solomon, with the gift of wisdom from God, sought to find truth and convey the message of truth and wisdom to all who would learn from him.Ecclesiastes: 12:9-11 1) Purpose of the Proverbs: 1:2-9 2) Proverbs to the young: 1:8 - 9:18 a. Avoid bad company: 1:10-19 b. Seek wisdom: 1:20 - 2:22 c. Trust in the Lord: 3:1-26 d. Father says get wisdom: 4:1-13 e. Do not commit adultery: 5:1-23; 6:20 - 7:27 f. Praise of wisdom: 8:1 - 9:12 3) Proverbs of Solomon a. Proverbs contrasting the godly and the wicked: 10:1 - 15:33 b. Proverbs encouraging godly lives: 16:1 - 22:16 c. Proverbs for different life situations: 22:17 - 24:34 4) Proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men: 25:1 - 29:27 a. Proverbs about relationships with others: 25:1 - 26:28 b. Proverbs for life: 27:1 - 29:27 5) Proverbs of Agur son of Jakeh: ch. 30 6) Proverbs of King Lemuel: ch. 31 III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH Wisdom is personified in chapter 8. Wisdom became flesh in Jesus Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3, see also 1 Cor. 1:30 IV. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS 1. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge 1) Understanding God's power and justice produces respect for His word: 1:7; 23; 25-32; 9:10 2) Those who trust God will have no fear of evil: 1:33; 2:1-22 3) We must trust God's ways, not our own ways: 3:1-8; 30:5-6 2. The wise woman 1) A virtuous wife is worth more than rubies: 30:10 2) She is trustworthy: 30:13-19 3) She works diligently: 30:13-19 4) She cares for the poor: 30:20 5) She provides for her family: 30:21-24 6) She trusts in God: 30:25-26; 30 7) She is worthy of praise: 30:28-31 3. A warning against alcohol abuse 1) Alcohol abuse causes many woes: 23:29-30 2) It is enticing: 23:31 3) It perverts the mind: 23:32-35 4) It is addictive: 23:35 4. Benefits of wisdom 1) Wisdom comes from God: 8:22-31 2) Wisdom involves keeping God's commands: 3:1-6; 7:1-3 3) Wisdom gives us long life: 3:2; 8; 16: 4:10 4) Wisdom keeps us from sin: 2:10-22; 5:1-23; 6:20 -7:27 5) Wisdom teaches us to be kind to others: 3:9; 27-28; 11:24-25 6) Wisdom produces humility: 3:34; 6:16-17; 12:1; 16:5 PROVERBS QUESTIONS Fill in the blanks: 1. The __________________ of the Lord is the ___________ of ________________. (1:7) 2. In the _________________ of counsel there is _____________. (24:6) 3. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in __________ __________. 4. Everyone who is ____________ in heart is and _____________ to the Lord. (16:5) 5. Chapter 23:29:-35 describes a _____________________. 6. Trust in the Lord with all your ____________, and lean not upon your own ______________. (3:5) 7. God gives grace to the _________________. (3:34) True or False 8. ______ Solomon received wisdom as a gift from God. (2 Chr. 1:11f) 9. ______ The purpose of the proverbs is to teach wisdom and understanding. 10. ______ Wisdom was with God in the beginning before the creation. 11. ______ A wise person gives to the Lord and to other people. |