PROVERBS

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 1 kings 4: 29

The book of Proverbs is particularly easy of digestion and rich in its nourishment of the new man. It is a book possessing a higher character than is usually allowed for it in our day. It is common to think of it as a book of moral maxims owing their excellence to Solomon's natural sagacity. It is a book of moral maxims truly, but it is much more: it is a book of revelation-it is a book in which the mind of God is unveiled, in a correct and authoritative declaration of truth not accessible to man in nature.

We learn this from the frequent quotation of it by the apostles as an authority in divine matters, and from the information that what superiority of wisdom Solomon may have displayed in its composition was a direct gift from God (1 Kings 4:29). Its position in the compiled Scriptures of which Jesus says, "they cannot be broken," is alone conclusive on this point.

When we compare the wisdom embodied in the Proverbs with the "morals" of Gentile philosophy, of whatsoever school, we discover a great contrast and a further evidence of divinity. The difference may be said to be this, that one has God in it and the other has not. Perhaps this needs further explanation. The explanation is simple. If you study the moral maxims of the schools, you will find they are recommended and inculcated for their own sakes just as the bath and exercise in the open air would be recommended as good for health.

The idea of God may be recognised in the abstract, but not as the moving spring of philosophic morality. The practice of virtue "for its own sake," and "virtue its own reward," are phrases that express the philosophic view. In this view, the mental eye is turned on our own mechanism, so to speak, or the mechanism of the universe, and not the power and wisdom in which that mechanism had its origin.

This is cold and unsatisfying for many reasons, but chiefly because of our inability to understand things as they exist. Bible wisdom is a complete contrast to this. God, not man: the Creator, not His work: His revealed will, not human guesses, are constantly pressed upon our notice.

Seasons 1.82.

Wisdom

4. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

7. 2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

4. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

4. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

1. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

2. 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

2. 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

3. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

3. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

6. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

6. 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

6. 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

8. 32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

The Fool

The Fool despises instruction and wisdom - Prov 1:7

*The Fool avoids following his parents - Prov 15:5

*The Fool is betrayed by his rash tongue - Prov 10:14;

*The Fool lacks the ability to contribute to a conversation - Prov 17:7

*Discussion with a Fool is a tiresome business - Prov 29:9

*The Fool is betrayed by his own lack of interest and understanding of Gods Word - Prov 13:13, 16

*The Fool makes sport of important issues - Prov 10:23

*The Fool trusts in his own heart and conscience - Prov 28:26

*The Fool does not know how to be subtle - Prov 29:11

*The Fool comments without considering a matter - Prov 18:13

*The Fool only knows foolishness - Prov 26:11