Reading With the People of God #14 Proverbsنموونە

Listening to Lady Wisdom is a month-long journey through Proverbs and the letters to the Corinthians. Though written in different times and styles, both books call us to a life shaped by God’s wisdom—one that stands in contrast to the ways of the world. In Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman calling out to us in the streets. In Corinthians, Paul shows us what wisdom looks like in the messy reality of church and culture. As you read, listen closely—Lady Wisdom is still speaking today.

On introduction to the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs, along with Job, Ecclesiastes, and a few of the Psalms, are given the special category of Wisdom Literature. These teach that it is better not to be wise in one’s own understanding but to seek the wisdom of God and the order that He has set for His own. Someone has called the Proverbs "rules from heaven for life on earth." It is said that Billy Graham advocated reading a chapter of Proverbs every day, making for a perfect month.

The book begins with the fear of the Lord as a major theme. Proverbs will go on to provide principles for living a life that pleases God through the extensive use of parallelism. Sometimes, the second line will expand and complete the thought of the first, or it may contrast with the first line for emphasis on the first. This technique is meant to make us think and remember, to make us wise.

The uniqueness of Proverbs is that it approaches common issues not directly addressed in other parts of the Bible. In the imagery of these earthy Proverbs, we see life in the real world with a word map on how to recognize and navigate the pitfalls. Through proverbs, we see that God concerns Himself with everyday life and offers guidance to enable His own to succeed in a way that pleases Him.

Solomon wrote many of the proverbs and also brought in some from other sources that he felt important and relevant to the way of the Lord. The setting seems to be his courts, and the purpose is to teach the young men under his influence. The applications of these principles can be seen in the godly characters in the Word and ultimately lived out by the man of wisdom, Jesus.

Jesus is the personification of wisdom. The apostle Paul, in his inspired writings, said, ''But unto them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God'' I Corinthians 1:24. A little later, he said, ''But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom...'' I Corinthians 1:30.

* Introduction contributed by Jinet Troost, Women's Bible Study teacher at Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla.

Want to get more out of Proverbs? This Bible Project video breaks it down in a super clear and helpful way—check it out!