Dr. Mike Jones

The Wisdom of Solomon

By: Dr. Mike Jones Do YOU know that “Reading a proverb takes only a few seconds; applying a proverb can take a lifetime?” I’ve attempted to pull some of the rich spiritual nuggets from the first chapter of  the book of Wisdom written by King Solomon. BACKGROUND OF SOLOMON Solomon was born the second son to David and Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:24) and reigned 40 years as the third king of Israel (1 Ki. 11:41-43). When sought by the Lord for a request, Solomon eagerly asked for wisdom (1 Ki. 3:5-9) and his request pleased God (1 Ki. 3:10-13). Solomon’s downfall was his love for women (1 Ki. 11:1), which turned his heart away from the Lord (1 Ki. 11:4), brought adversaries from the Lord (1 Ki. 11:14-40) and eventually lead to the demise of the united kingdom (1 Ki. 11:11-13). BACKGROUND OF PROVERBS The NT quotes Proverbs at least fourteen times. James is the closest NT book that resembles Proverbs. The Hebrew word for proverb (marshal) means “comparison, similar, parallel.” Proverbs are based on and an application of the Law of God (a skillful use of knowledge in everyday life-wisdom “). The rational tone is continually stressed by the importance of revering and trusting the Lord, an unchanging point of reference. [900 proverbs in the Book] Each proverb generally has one single truth to convey. PURPOSE AND THEME The purpose of Proverbs is to: Impart moral discernment and discretion & Develop mental clarity and perception (1:2b, 6) The theme of Proverbs is found in 1:7a, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” To fear God is to stand in awe of His righteousness, and for us to trust in our Creator. DATE Solomon wrote proverbs about 931 BC. He didn’t write ALL Proberbs: Hezekiel/others GENERAL THEMES Righteousness, wickedness, foolishness, simplicity, wisdom, laziness, diligence, pride, humility, justice, alcohol, speech, anger, money, friendships, and parental instruction/need to discipline. SURVEY The book of Proverbs can be subdivided into five sections OLD PROVERBS

• A friend in need is a friend indeed.
• A stitch in time saves nine.
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
• As you sow, so you shall reap.
• Beauty is only skin deep.

Verse 2

[2] To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

To know — Written to help men to know throughly and practically. Both human wisdom to conduct our affairs in this life, and Divine wisdom.

·         Instruction — The instructions delivered either by God, or men, in order to the attainment of wisdom.

·         To perceive — Which teach a man true understanding.

Verse 3

[3] To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

To receive — Willing to receive the counsels of others. Such as makes men wise and prudent, and to teach just judgments or equity.

Verse 4

[4] To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

Simple — Such as want wisdom.

Young man — Who wants both experience and self-government.

Verse 5

[5] A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Will hear — Is willing to learn.

Attain to — The art of governing himself or others.

Verse 7

 [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The fear — Reverence and obedience to God.

Beginning — The foundation without which all other knowledge is vain.

Fools — That is, wicked men, are so far from attaining true wisdom, that they despise it, and all the means of getting it.

Chapter One sets the tone for the remainder of the Book of Proverbs. God wants all of us to learn wisdom, knowledge and understanding from the principles found in the Proverbs. Satan is the god of this system, and is full of deception: His children are deceiving and being deceived; while the children of God are called to be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove.

 

(Adapted from A Journey Through Provrbs – Chapter One; all Scripture references are taken from the KJV unless otherwise noted.)