1. Treasure Hunting and the Quest for Nobility in Proverbs Hands to the Plow Ministries with Bethlehem College & Seminary Jason S. DeRouchie, PhD

2. Proverbs at a Glance Preamble1:1–7 Prologue: The importance of wisdom1:8–9:18 Proverbial Collections10:1–31:9 Proverbs of Solomon I10:1–22:16 Sayings of the Wise I22:17–24:22 Sayings of the Wise II24:23–34 Proverbs of Solomon II25:1–29:27 Sayings of Agur30:1–33 Sayings of Lemuel31:1–9 Epilogue: The ideal wife, a woman of wisdom31:10–31

3. Proverbial Collection (10:1–31:9)  The Proverb Test  16–20 = Proverbial genius  11–15 = Proverbially bright  6–10 = Proverbially dull  0–5 = Proverbially challenged

4.  Proverbs as memorable bites  To remember well, we need:  Small bits, capable of being chewed;  Rehearseable bits, worded in a way easily restated;  Understandable bits in a fluent language.

5.  Most proverbs are pithy, memorable, and poetic.  Example 1:  “Look before you leap” vs.  “In advance of committing yourself to a course of action, consider your circumstances.”  Example 2:  “A stitch in time saves nine” vs.  “There are certain corrective measures for minor problems that, when taken early on in a course of action, forestall major problems from arising.”

6.  Many proverbs are generalizations that are usually true.  Often proverbs present contradictory perspectives, with each proverbs being correct in certain situations. 1a. “Birds of a feather flock together.” 1b. “Opposites attract.”

7.  Many proverbs are generalizations that are usually true.  Often proverbs present contradictory perspectives, with each proverbs being correct in certain situations. 1a. “Birds of a feather flock together.” 1b. “Opposites attract.” 2a. “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” 2b. “Two heads are better than one.”

8.  Many proverbs are generalizations that are usually true.  Often proverbs present contradictory perspectives, with each proverbs being correct in certain situations. 1a. “Birds of a feather flock together.” 1b. “Opposites attract.” 2a. “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” 2b. “Two heads are better than one.” 3a. “He who hesitates is lost.” 3b. “Look before you leap.”

9.  Many proverbs are generalizations that are usually true.  Often proverbs present contradictory perspectives, with each proverbs being correct in certain situations. 1a. “Birds of a feather flock together.” 1b. “Opposites attract.” 2a. “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” 2b. “Two heads are better than one.” 3a. “He who hesitates is lost.” 3b. “Look before you leap.” 4a. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” 4b. “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.”

10.  Many proverbs are generalizations that are usually true.  Often proverbs present contradictory perspectives, with each proverbs being correct in certain situations. 1a. “Birds of a feather flock together.” 1b. “Opposites attract.” 2a. “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” 2b. “Two heads are better than one.” 3a. “He who hesitates is lost.” 3b. “Look before you leap.” 4a. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” 4b. “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.” Prov 26:4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Prov. 26:5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

11.  Proverbs that foretell are not promises for the present age but truths that time will indeed bear out unless God intervenes for good or ill.  Example 1: Prov 15:25. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.  Life and Scripture testify that there are arrogant people whose houses still stand and widows who have been abused by greedy creditors or fraud.  Job 24:2–3. Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them. 3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow’s ox for a pledge.

12.  Proverbs that foretell are not promises for the present age but truths that time will indeed bear out unless God intervenes for good or ill.  Example 1: Prov 15:25. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.  Life and Scripture testify that there are arrogant people whose houses still stand and widows who have been abused by greedy creditors or fraud.  Mark 12:40. [They] devour widow’s houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.

13.  Proverbs that foretell are not promises for the present age but truths that time will indeed bear out unless God intervenes for good or ill.  Example 1: Prov 15:25. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.  Life and Scripture testify that there are arrogant people whose houses still stand and widows who have been abused by greedy creditors or fraud.  The principle: God opposes the proud and cares for the needy, and he will eventually make all things right.

14.  Example 2: Prov 22:26–27. Be no one of those who gives pledges, who put up security for debts. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you.  Should you never buy a house on mortgage (a secure debt)? Will all credit card debt automatically result in God’s taking away all your possessions––including your bed?  The principle: Debts should be taken cautiously because foreclosure can be very painful.

15.  Example 3: Prov 29:2. If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.  Do this proverb guarantee that a government official has no choice but to become corrupt if his boss (e.g., the president, the governor, etc.) listens to some people who do not tell him the truth?  The principle: The ruler who insists on truth will help keep the government honest.

16.  Example 4: Prov 22:6. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  Popular interpretations?  The problem: Word-for-word: “Give training to the child according to his way; even he grows old, he will not depart from it” (cf. NASB margin).  No Hebrew equivalent for “should.”  The 3ms pronoun “his” related to “way” is unexplained.

17.  Why does “his way” mean?  Only two “ways” in Proverbs: the way of wisdom and life or and the way of folly and death.  Prov. 11:5. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.  Prov. 14:2. Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.  Prov. 16:17. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.  Is the “youth’s way” more the way of wisdom or folly?

18.  When left to themselves, the “young” lack judgment and have hearts filled with foolishness.  Prov. 7:7. And I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense.  Prov. 22:15. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

19.  Without discipline, the young bring disgrace on their mothers.  Prov 29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

20.  Parents are thus exhorted to discipline their children and to instruct them in wisdom.  Prov. 1:1, 4. The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:... to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.  Prov. 19:18. Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.  Prov. 29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

21.  Conclusion: Prov 22:6. Give training to the child according to his way; even he grows old, he will not depart from it.  The “way” of a child seems more negative than positive; it is the way without wisdom.  We are always training, and the proverb appears to be an ironic command that warns parents of the result of not establishing standards and boundaries for their children.  The principle: Let a boy do what he wants, and he will become a self-willed adult incapable of change!

22.  But proverbs are not promises! And the power of the gospel can transform any child who was not raised well!  2 Cor 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

23.  The purpose of many proverbs:  Prov 25:11. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.  Prov 26:9. Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

24.  Are there ever absolute (“always true”) proverbs?  Samples:  Prov 10:27. The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.  Prov 11:20. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD; but those of blameless ways are his delight.

25.  Are there ever “absolute” proverbs that are always true in this life and the next?  Samples:  Prov 10:27. The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.  Prov 11:20. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD; but those of blameless ways are his delight.  Prov 13:21. Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.  Prov 16:1. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

26.  Are there ever “absolute” proverbs that are always true in this life and the next?  Samples:  Prov 10:27. The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.  Prov 11:20. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD; but those of blameless ways are his delight.  Prov 13:21. Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.  Prov 16:1. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

27.  Prov 16:4. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

28.  Prov 16:31. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.  Prov 19:21. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

29.  Prov 16:4. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.  Prov 16:31. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.  Prov 19:21. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.  Prov 21:30. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

30.  Prov 16:4. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.  Prov 16:31. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.  Prov 19:21. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.  Prov 21:30. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.  THE RULE: Those proverbs that focus on God’s character and actions are absolute, for God does not change.

31. The Portrait of God in Proverbs Is aware of all that happens15:3 Knows the heart of all people15:11; 16:2; 21:2 Controls all things16:33; 21:30 Is a place of safety18:10 Rescues good people from danger11:8, 21 Condemns the wicked11:31 Delights in our prayers15:8, 29 Loves those who obey him15:9; 22:12 Cares for the poor and needy15:25; 22:22–23 Purifies hearts17:3 Hates evil17:5; 21:27; 28:9

32. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 10:27. The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

33. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 14:26–27. In the fear of the LORD one has a strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

34. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 15:16. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

35. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 16:6. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.

36. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 19:23. The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

37. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 28:14. Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

38. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 13:13. Whoever despieses the word bring destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.

39. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 19:16. Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.

40. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 21:3. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

41. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 22:17–19. Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to knowledge, 18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19 That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you.

42. Our Response to God in Proverbs To fear and revere God10:27; 14:26–27; 15:16; 16:6; 19:23; 28:14 To obey God’s Word13:13; 19:16 To please God21:3 To trust in God22:17–19; 29:25 Prov 29:25. The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trust in the LORD is safe.