Unit 11 Teacher Notes: PROVERBS

8th Bible: Old Testament Studies

Introduction.

What is a proverb? (see Proverbs 1:1-7)

  • A short saying that expresses a basic truth or practical precept
  • A self-contained statement that doesn’t have a logical context

What is the key word in the book of Proverbs?

Wisdom (54 times): “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10a)

Authorship.

Who are the authors of the Proverbs?

  • 1 Kings 4:29-34: Solomon

Proverbs 1:1: Solomon

  • Proverbs 30:1: Agur
  • Proverbs 31:1: Lemuel’s mother

Proverbs as Wisdom Literature.

The book of Proverbs is referred to as wisdom literature along with the book of Job, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. "Wisdom literature" is primarily concerned with wisdom=the fear of the LORD.

What is the fear of the LORD?

The fear of the LORD involves reverence, gratitude, and commitment to do the will of God in every circumstance.

Poetry.

The book of Proverbs has all the marks of good Hebrew poetry.

  • Numerous examples of parallelism=similarity of thought between two or more lines
  • Use of acrostics (example in Proverbs 31:10-31)

Other genres in the book include:

Parables, pithy questions, short stories, and wise maxims

Interpretation.

Why should we not try to spiritualize the Proverbs?

The literal meaning is the spiritual meaning.

Be careful to not make the Proverbs into statements of absolute certainty.

The Proverbs are general rules to which there may be exceptions.Example: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). This does not mean that every single child that is raised by godly parents and in a godly way will for sure be godly.

Jesus Christ the Wisdom of God.

Chapters 1-9 is a preface of the entire book. It teaches us the meaning of wisdom.

What Wisdom is NOT:

Wisdom is not just doing certain things.

Wisdom is not just some sayings that you need to do or not do and then you will be wise.

What Wisdom IS:

Wisdom is the Lord Jesus who conveys wisdom to believers. (see Proverbs 8)

Wisdom is practical and enjoyed only through and in union with Jesus Christ.

Wisdom needs to be learned and received.

Conclusion:

Christ is the Wisdom of God. In order to have wisdom we need Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:24)

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU LACK TRUE WISDOM? (see James 1:5)

Structure.

1-9: Introduction – the Call of Wisdom

10-22: Proverbs of Solomon

22-24: The Sayings of the Wise

25-29: Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah’s Men(see Proverbs 25:1)

30: The Sayings of Agur

31:1-9: The Sayings of Lemuel’s Mother

31:10-31: The Virtuous Woman

Questions.

  1. What is deceitful and passing? (Proverbs 31:30)
  1. Whose price is far above rubies? (Proverbs 31:10)
  1. What four things are little and yet exceeding wise? Why are they wise? (Prov. 30:24-28)
  2. What is wrong with the generation that is pure in its own eyes? (Proverbs 30:12)
  1. Why should you not ask for riches or for poverty? (Proverbs 30:8-9)
  1. Who is a fool? (Proverbs 28:26)
  1. Who is the happy man? (Proverbs 28:14)
  1. Who shall have mercy? (Proverbs 28:13)
  1. How is a fool like a dog? (Proverbs 26:11)
  1. What do you see in the field of the slothful man? (Proverbs 24:30-34)
  1. When should you not rejoice? (Proverbs 24:17)
  1. Why is discipline important? (Proverbs 23:13-14)
  2. What is bound in the heart of a child? (Proverbs 22:15)
  1. Why should we not close our ears to the cries of the poor? (Proverbs 21:13)
  1. How does a person view his own ways? (Proverbs 21:2)
  1. What should a parent do while there is hope? (Proverbs 19:18)
  1. Who sticks closer than a brother? (Proverbs 18:24)
  1. Who obtains favor of the LORD? (Proverbs 18:22)
  1. What is often the result of gossip? (Proverbs 17:9)
  1. What is an abomination to the LORD? (Proverbs 16:5)
  1. What other thing is an abomination to the LORD? (Proverbs 15:8)
  1. What turns away wrath? (Proverbs 15:1)
  1. What exalts a nation? (Proverbs 14:34)
  1. What is the result of getting rich in a vain way? (Proverbs 13:11)
  1. Who will be made rich? (Proverbs 11:25)
  1. What makes rich? (Proverbs 10:22)
  1. Whose guests are in the depths of hell? (Proverbs 9:13-18)
  1. Who loves death? (Proverbs 8:36)
  1. Who finds life? (Proverbs 8:34-35)
  1. What is better than rubies? (Proverbs 8:11)
  1. What story is told in Proverbs 7:6-27?
  1. List seven things that are an abomination to the LORD. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
  1. What should you do with all your heart? What should you not do? (Proverbs 3:5)
  1. What will be found if it is diligently sought for? (Proverbs 2:4-5)
  1. What does Wisdom promise? (Proverbs 1:23)
  1. How should you respond to sinners who ask you to join in their sin? (Proverbs 1:10)

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