Proverbs 10.1
“The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”
The heading “the proverbs of Solomon” tells us that the long introduction (chapters 1-9) is over, and we are now entering the second part of the book … the proverbs proper. The rest of the book is composed of short statements of practical wisdom: observations and insights; warnings and prohibitions; advice and encouragement.
As you read through the remaining chapters, keep in mind that a proverb (Hebrew masal) is a vivid, thought-provoking saying that communicates a message of truth in a few words. Proverbs are neither absolute commands nor unlimited promises. Because it is a partial statement, a proverb often needs to be understood alongside other proverbs on the same subject in order to get the full picture. The purpose of proverbs, then, is to get you to stop and think. They are short, stimulating observations about how life works.
It is helpful to repeat what I said at the beginning of this study. The wisdom in Proverbs is practical knowledge that helps us know how to respond to the many different situations we experience in life. In that regard, the entire book of Proverbs is teaching and instruction on how to apply E+R=O.
Wisdom is the ability to manage your R Factor skillfully. It is not about intelligence or talent. In specific places Proverbs attributes wisdom to certain animals, not because animals have great intelligence, but because they know how to navigate life well.
The wisdom described in the book of Proverbs is essential for an effective and fruitful Christian life. It works the other direction, also. A deep relationship with Jesus is necessary for access to the wisdom of God. Colossians 2:3 tells us that in Jesus “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.”
Paul prays for our wisdom in Philippians: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10)
We are living in the information age, but it is painfully evident we are not living in the age of wisdom. Our generation has nearly unlimited availability of information, but wisdom is increasingly absent. People display a frightening inability to distinguish truth from error. Common sense is a rare thing. T.S. Eliot, the great English poet, got it right when he asked two questions: “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”
We are in desperate need of wisdom.
Thus the relevance of the book of Proverbs. It is an invaluable resource for learning wisdom. The entire purpose of the book is to help us acquire and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of daily life. Read carefully and apply diligently what Proverbs teaches, and you will increase in discernment and discipline. You will live and work more skillfully, and you will make better decisions.
