The BOOK of PROVERBS, a Devotional Commentary

I read through the entire Book of Proverbs in one sitting. Here's my reaction. I know it will bless you as it did me!

PROVERBS COMMENTARY INTRODUCTION
It’s easy to hypocritically point the proverbial finger at others and say: “you don’t read your Bible enough”! The implication is that we do, even though, often, we don’t. Sometimes we think this about non-believers: “they don’t believe the Bible (like I do) and that is foolish”.

True … yet, if we’re honest, we know deep down in our heart that when we do read through Scripture there are all kinds of things that we don’t heed. There are many commands we don’t pay attention to, or think deeply on. If we truly believed the wisdom of God’s Word like we say we do, the posture of our hearts would be different, softer.

It is foolish to shun the words of the Bible, and it’s especially foolish to ignore this book — Proverbs. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit bends you towards leaning more on God’s wisdom — and not on your own. What follows is my brief overview of eight different sections of Proverbs, designed to assist you as you read, and act!

Proverbs 1:1-7 COMMENTARY
Proverbs includes an “abstract” or a purpose statement in the beginning. It tells the reader what the point of the book is. The key to biblical wisdom is fearing Yahweh. Proper respect, awe, and reverence for the living God is only the beginning of true wisdom.

Proverbs 1:8-9:18 COMMENTARY
Two main themes crisscross: the value of wisdom and the destructive power of sexual sin. These are two very important issues. If one lacks self-control in the area of sexuality one is almost by definition, a fool. These two things are related.

This is very challenging to all of us, especially those of us in spiritual leadership. How can we be wise if we can’t control our eyes? How can we act as if we truly value the beauty of wisdom if our head is filled with lustful scenarios and our heart is pumping out sexual filth? When lust is dominating our inner man, we are allowing our own sinful desires to be in charge – at that point, we despise wisdom. How could we say we love wisdom when our thoughts and actions prove contrary? We can’t!

O Lord, help us to be different. Help us to love wisdom according to your definition, for that is the only one that matters.

Proverbs 10:1-15:33 COMMENTARY
In this section, the proverb form has begun in earnest. The book has a basic structure which can be discerned when the book is carefully read through consecutively.

The big thing: we should talk less and listen more! The instructions about being slow to speak are not designed to make us passive but rather wise. Our general tendency is to just start babbling; Proverbs says this is foolish.

We also see how important it is to not lose our temper. That type of thing (in word or in deed) is foolishness.

We should commit more of the Proverbs to memory. There are many situations where it is fitting to quote one of these verses, either out loud say or in our “head.” It would give us and the those around us wisdom in how to think about the situation and what to do.

Proverbs 16:1-22:16 COMMENTARY
This section of Proverbs deals with the tongue.

Christians should strive to be people who speak wise words at the right time and in the right way. We should be people who are wise enough to know when not to speak but to be quiet. We should hold our tongue when we feel angry, especially.

Proverbs also challenges us to become better overall communicators. These proverbs spoke of eloquence, speaking wisely, and graciousness. These things are pleasurable to the hearers and also to kings in authority. We should desire to speak clearly, precisely, and wisely to all. It is not enough to have wisdom and know when to speak it but one also must know exactly how to say it. This way it is understood and even enjoyed by the hearers.

This section emphasizes the value of work. These proverbs instruct us to work harder and more efficient. These commands tell us to do our absolute best, no matter what the job is.

These proverbs also have sayings dealing with family, especially raising children. It’s a lot to absorb. That’s why my former OT professor, Dr. Paul Wegner, wrote a whole book about parenting from the Proverbs. Pick it up!

Proverbs 22:17-24:22 COMMENTARY
These proverbs are on scattered and sundry issues. Several topics do pop up repeatedly.

For example, there are several layers of instructions dealing with food and wine. How are we to dine with the rich? What should our attitude towards food be and how should we view strong drink? We should be prudent in the way we conduct ourself when we eat with the wealthy. Personally, this hasn’t happened a lot in my life!

The instructions to eat modestly means to have good manners and are designed to keep us from falling in love with expensive food. The etiquette instructions here give us good manners and help us temper our desires. Admonitions against overindulgence are similar to the advice to not lust after alcohol or to hang out with those who do.

There is a similar idea in mind, that of restraining lust for these pleasures. This, of course, is very sound. Personally, I don’t drink alcohol or like super fancy food but I definitely have an issue with over eating and eating things based on cravings versus using wisdom in what and when I should and should not eat.

Proverbs 28:1-29:27 COMMENTARY
A plethora of proverbs here deal with the contrast between righteous and wicked rulers. Unjust rulers are a judgment on a wicked people. They lead people astray and oppress those who are weaker. Righteous rulers bring stability. They use wisdom to lead. They protect the poor and weak. This is such a timely message.

You may think of the decline of the United States over the past 40 years or so. It is tragic to witness. The church in America must receive plenty of the blame. We share in the responsibility. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only life-changing answer to our nation’s woes.

It’s tempting to be influenced by the culture. We want to be wise and see a much needed revival … but other times, we want to be lazy and run away by sliding into escapism, whether it be comic books, video games, or science fiction conventions (pick your guilty pleasure). Christians must first look in a mirror when we see the state of our country’s leadership. We must pray that the Lord grants us wisdom in how to engage the culture and how to be Christ’s church.

Proverbs 30:1-33 COMMENTARY
The words of Agur display some differences from the rest of the proverbs. There are similar features as well. Some are very clear and straight up, others have an enigmatic aspect.

The main lesson: we can gain wisdom by studying the creation. It is wise to observe the creation, take notes, and make practical application. Even if we don’t have the intellect or patience to be a professional scientist, we can still learn about God’s wisdom in God’s world.

Proverbs 30 includes parent/child instruction. Parents, print out some of these and tape them to your children’s bedroom! Especially the ones about how to treat your mother and father.

This chapter begins with a psalm-like prayer to help us see the wise man prays and admits his confusion to the Lord. Likewise, the Book of Psalms contains great accolades for the Word of God, and we see that affirmation here in the Proverbs. True wisdom does not ultimately come from us or any created source. No, true wisdom is from Yahweh alone. Thankfully, he has deposited his truth to us in a book which we can read. As the Apostle Paul reminded his spiritual son, Timothy, the Scripture can make us wise, even unto salvation!

Proverbs 31:1-31 COMMENTARY
The final chapter of the book of Proverbs is beautiful indeed. The beginning of the proverb is strong, as it has practical wisdom for those in a leadership capacity especially. King Lemuel speaks of his mother and the wise woman. Praise God if has given you this kind of wife. If not, pray that your future wife would be a fulfillment of this proverb. If that happens, you are extremely blessed and must never take that gift for granted. I pray God helps you be the grateful husband you need to be. To be candid, half the stuff this Proverbs 31 woman does I could never even dream of, even if we adjusted it to a modern context. A man who has a wife who does many of these things will have a major blessing in their life.

We as men should be the equivalent of a Proverbs 31 man, adjusted to the male’s role. Many of the things in this list are activities that if a husband did, he would love his wife most excellently. Men should want to be like that for their wife (whether now or possible future), but ultimately, for God.

PROVERBS CONCLUSION
Overall, I really was blessed by reading through the Proverbs in this fashion and at this pace. I will be doing it again. I hope I pick up on many of the things I know I missed. I also hope that through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, I can actually walk in the way of Wisdom and stay off the path off the fool.

CONTRIBUTOR - VOCAB MALONE