Proverbs - Part 1

The Proverbs - An Introduction

All behavior is assessed by one criterion

“IS IT WISDOM OR FOLLY?”

Two goals of Proverbs: Build Character and Right Thinking:

“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight”

To know Wisdom – “khokmah” – the art of godly living

To Know Instruction – “mū-sār” – training with strong accountability

To Understand (discern) – “bin” – This is the ability to look to the heart of an issue and realize what is at stake 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction

If we were to distill the whole book of Proverbs into one thing, it would be the opening line of V. 7, specifically, the “Fear of the Lord.” 

Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight

Proverbs 15:33: “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom…”

Job 28:28: “…Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,  and to turn away from evil is understanding.”