Proverbs An Introduction Fellowship Bible Church Don Den Hartog
Jeremiah 18:18, The three instruments God used to communicate His mind and will to His people.
1. The ______: the Law, the Mosaic covenant, stipulations of the covenants
2. The ______: inspired announcements of coming events, judgment, or deliverance
3. The ______: inspired interpretation of life, observed life, living as people of faith (wisdom literature, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, & Proverbs)
All point to Christ…as High Priest, the One who fulfills the requirements of the Law, as Prophet who is the Deliverer from coming judgment, and the all Wise One, who Shepherds/Leads us through life….Jesus Christ embodies all three. (Matthew 12:42)
The Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament
1. The definition & types of proverbs
a. “masal”=to be like, make ______
b. 4 types: Synonymous, antithetical, emblematic, synthetic
2. The authorship of Proverbs
a. Solomon & Proverbs, 1 Kings 4:29-32 & Deuteronomy 17:18-19 (Deuteronomy is most quoted book in NT)
b. Agur Prov.30
c. King Lemuel Prov.31
d. Sayings of the wise
1
3. The structure/layout of Proverbs
Collection I: Introduction to the Book (chaps. 1-9) Collection II: Proverbs of King Solomon (10:1-22:16) Collection III: Thirty Sayings of the Wise Adapted by Solomon (22:17-24:22) Collection IV: Further Sayings of the Wise (24:23-34) Collection V: Further Proverbs by Solomon, Collected by Hezekiah's Men (chaps. 25-29) Collection VI: Sayings of Agur, son of Jakeh (chap. 30) Collection VII: Sayings of King Lemuel (chap. 31)
*Dr. Bruce Waltke, Bibliotheca Sacra, Jan-Mar, 2008, p. 5
4. The targeted audience: Sons, Royal Officials in training, God’s people
a. ______to sons (by both father & mother) “My son” 1:8,10,15,2:1,3:1,11,21,4:10,20, 5:1,7,20,6:1-3,20,7:1,24,8:32, 23:15,19,26, 24:13,21, 27:11
b. Kings mentioned: Solomon, Lemuel, Hezekiah, court official Agur, court emphasis in 23:1-3, Bruce Malchow labels Prov. 28-29 “a manual for kings”
c. All of God’s people, 2 Tim.3:16-17
5. The key word in Proverbs: “______”
a. The Hebrew word, “hochma”
b. Used ______times in Proverbs (1/3 of all OT usages)
c. Means to be ______in artistry (Ex.28:3,31:6), government/diplomacy (Eccl. 4:13, 1 Kings 5:7), war (Isa.10:13) *Always used as favorable terms in Proverbs.
d. Both wisdom & folly (foolishness) are personified as ______.
2
6. Teaching/Preaching Proverbs
a. The book has appearance of being ADD!
b. Should look for units with overarching themes, (I.e. 10:6-14, v.6-9=effects of good & bad speech on oneself, v.10-14=effects of good & bad speech on others
The Book of Proverbs in the New Testament
1. Proverbs are quoted in the NT ______times. Romans 3:15,12:16,20, Heb.12:5-6, Jas.4:6,13, 1 Pet.2:17,4:8,18, 2 Pet.2:22
2. ______& ______refer to or quote from Proverbs most often, (JAMES =wisdom, foolish one, righteousness, obedience results in life, disobedience brings premature death, compassion on the poor, use of tongue, planning & the will of God, being judgmental, etc. (1:19/17:27, 1:19/14:29,16:32, 3:5/26:20-21, 3:6/16:27, 3:18/11:18, 4:6/3:34, Jas..1:21-- -obedience results in prolonged life. Disobedience shortens life.
(1 Peter=Fear God & king, 2:17/24:21, 3:13/16:7, 4:8/10:12, 4:18/11:31)
3. Theological connection: Deut.17…Solomon…Sermon on the Mount…Epistle of James… requirements for being co-heirs with the King (as God’s sons, to be in His royal court, as part of the people of God to reign/govern the people of God)
Proverbs does not teach us about a ______. It teaches something much more valuable…a ______.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11