ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs ILLC 8 th Grade Sunday School

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Vocabulary Vocabulary Proverb – A saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed, meaningful way. A proverb is drawn from much experience. Proverb – A saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed, meaningful way. A proverb is drawn from much experience. The Hebrew word for “proverb” means parallel, “similar” or “a comparison”. The Hebrew word for “proverb” means parallel, “similar” or “a comparison”. Knowledge- is the apprehension of truth in one’s mind. Knowledge- is the apprehension of truth in one’s mind. Wisdom – The application of truth to one’s life. Wisdom – The application of truth to one’s life.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Three main points of our lesson Three main points of our lesson We will learn who authored the Proverbs. We will learn who authored the Proverbs. We will learn some of the background for Proverbs We will learn some of the background for Proverbs We will become familiar with the content of some of the Proverbs and how they apply to our lives. We will become familiar with the content of some of the Proverbs and how they apply to our lives.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs The Book of Proverbs is classified as one of the Books of Poetry. The Book of Proverbs is classified as one of the Books of Poetry. The other Books of Poetry are Job, Psalms, Eccelesiates, and the Song of Solomon. The other Books of Poetry are Job, Psalms, Eccelesiates, and the Song of Solomon. As Psalms is the worship and hymn book of the Old Testament, Proverbs is its teacher’s manual. Proverbs are maxims which can easily be memorized, and thus used as advice for daily living. As Psalms is the worship and hymn book of the Old Testament, Proverbs is its teacher’s manual. Proverbs are maxims which can easily be memorized, and thus used as advice for daily living.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Who was the author of Proverbs? Who was the author of Proverbs? The Book of Proverbs was largely composed and complied by king Solomon. The Book of Proverbs was largely composed and complied by king Solomon. Chapters 1-24: Complied by Solomon Chapters 1-24: Complied by Solomon Chapters 25-29: King Hezekiah’s scribes copied the material in these chapters from Solomon’s repertory of proverbs. Chapters 25-29: King Hezekiah’s scribes copied the material in these chapters from Solomon’s repertory of proverbs. Chapter 30: Composed by Agur Chapter 30: Composed by Agur Chapter 31: Composed by Lemuel Chapter 31: Composed by Lemuel How many proverbs did Solomon write? How many proverbs did Solomon write? 1 Kings 4:32 “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five” 1 Kings 4:32 “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five”

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs When was Proverbs written? Before the death of Solomon in 931. They were edited by Hezekiah’s scribes in about 700 BC. When was Proverbs written? Before the death of Solomon in 931. They were edited by Hezekiah’s scribes in about 700 BC. To whom was Proverbs written? To whom was Proverbs written? To the “wise man” vs 1:5 To the “wise man” vs 1:5 To his “son” verse 1:8, 2:1 To his “son” verse 1:8, 2:1 The book tells a story, it is a picture of a young man starting out in life. The book tells a story, it is a picture of a young man starting out in life.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Why was Proverbs written? Why was Proverbs written? To give a young person a sound foundation from which to make wise decisions in life. To give a young person a sound foundation from which to make wise decisions in life. To provide a listing of time honored truths which can serve as a guide in life. To provide a listing of time honored truths which can serve as a guide in life.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Why was it written? (continued) Why was it written? (continued) Historical purpose – It served as a kind of teacher’s manual for the wise men of Israel. The proverbs are easy to memorize and provide guidance for life. Historical purpose – It served as a kind of teacher’s manual for the wise men of Israel. The proverbs are easy to memorize and provide guidance for life. Doctrinal purpose – True wisdom is based in the fear of God. Doctrinal purpose – True wisdom is based in the fear of God. Christological purpose – Christ is presented in the Proverbs as the Wisdom for which the wise man aspires. Christological purpose – Christ is presented in the Proverbs as the Wisdom for which the wise man aspires.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs The Structure of the Proverbs The Structure of the Proverbs Literary form – Couplets: Two clauses of the couplets are generally related to each other by parallelism. Literary form – Couplets: Two clauses of the couplets are generally related to each other by parallelism. Several kinds of parallelism are used in the Proverbs. Four of them are: Several kinds of parallelism are used in the Proverbs. Four of them are: Synonymous Parallelism Synonymous Parallelism Antithetic Parallelism Antithetic Parallelism Synthetic Parallelism Synthetic Parallelism Emblematic Parallelism Emblematic Parallelism

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Synonymous Parallelism Synonymous Parallelism Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause. Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause. Example: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, Example: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools” Proverb 19:29 and stripes for the back of fools” Proverb 19:29

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Antithetic (contrast) Parallelism Antithetic (contrast) Parallelism Here a truth, which is stated in the first clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an opposite truth. Here a truth, which is stated in the first clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an opposite truth. Example: “The light of the righteous rejoiceth, Example: “The light of the righteous rejoiceth, But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out” Proverbs 13:9 But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out” Proverbs 13:9

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Synthetic Parallelism Synthetic Parallelism Here the second clause develops the thought of the first. Here the second clause develops the thought of the first. Example “The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; Example “The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own will” Proverbs 20:2 He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own will” Proverbs 20:2

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Emblematic Parallelism Emblematic Parallelism Here the first line is an emblem, illustration, type or example drawn from nature or daily life. Here the first line is an emblem, illustration, type or example drawn from nature or daily life. Example: “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow” 25:18 Example: “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow” 25:18

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs General Outline of the Book of Proverbs General Outline of the Book of Proverbs I.Wisdom and Folly Contrasted (Chapters 1-9) I.Wisdom and Folly Contrasted (Chapters 1-9) II.Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set in Order by Himself (Chapters 10-24) II.Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set in Order by Himself (Chapters 10-24) III.Proverbs of Solomon, Set in Order by Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29) III.Proverbs of Solomon, Set in Order by Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29) IV.Oracle of Agur, (Chapter 30) IV.Oracle of Agur, (Chapter 30) V.Proverbs of a Mother to Lemuel, (Chapter 31) V.Proverbs of a Mother to Lemuel, (Chapter 31)

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs A summary of each chapter A summary of each chapter Words to the wise Words to the wise Chapter 1 – Wisdom respects God and parents. It rebukes sins and evil. Chapter 1 – Wisdom respects God and parents. It rebukes sins and evil. Chapter 2 – It rewards its seekers morally. Chapter 2 – It rewards its seekers morally. Chapter 3 – It rewards is seekers physically. Chapter 3 – It rewards is seekers physically.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Chapter 4 – It redirects one’s life from evil. Chapter 4 – It redirects one’s life from evil. Chapter 5 – It rejects sensuality. Chapter 5 – It rejects sensuality. Chapter 6 – It reactivates the slothful. It represses the desires of lust. Chapter 6 – It reactivates the slothful. It represses the desires of lust. Chapter 7 – It resists the evil woman Chapter 7 – It resists the evil woman Chapter 8 – It rejoices in God who begat it. Chapter 8 – It rejoices in God who begat it. Chapter 9 – It reproves the righteous who use it. Chapter 9 – It reproves the righteous who use it.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Word of the Wise Word of the Wise Chapter 10 – It is riches from God. Chapter 10 – It is riches from God. Chapter 11 – It is the righteousness of life. Chapter 11 – It is the righteousness of life. Chapter 12 – It is righteousness in its language Chapter 12 – It is righteousness in its language Chapter 13 – It has regard for reproof. Chapter 13 – It has regard for reproof.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Chapter 14 – It is the road of reward Chapter 14 – It is the road of reward Chapter 15 – It exhibits regulation of the tongue Chapter 15 – It exhibits regulation of the tongue Chapter 16 – It rests in the purpose of God. Chapter 16 – It rests in the purpose of God. Chapter 17 – It refrains from strife. Chapter 17 – It refrains from strife. Chapter 18 – It finds refuge in God Chapter 18 – It finds refuge in God Chapter 19 – It responds to poverty by giving. Chapter 19 – It responds to poverty by giving. Chapter 20/21 – It responds to poverty by working. Chapter 20/21 – It responds to poverty by working.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Chapter 22 – It provides a reward to the poor. Chapter 22 – It provides a reward to the poor. Chapter 22b – Wisdom is pleasant. Chapter 22b – Wisdom is pleasant. Chapter 23 – Wisdom is worthwhile. Chapter 23 – Wisdom is worthwhile. Chapter 24 – Wisdom is prosperous. Chapter 24 – Wisdom is prosperous.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Wisdom from the wise Wisdom from the wise Chapter – Words from Solomon Chapter – Words from Solomon Chapter – The fool Chapter – The fool Chapter 28 – The wicked Chapter 28 – The wicked Chapter 29 – The stubborn Chapter 29 – The stubborn

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Words from Agur and Lemuel Words from Agur and Lemuel Chapter 30 – Truth and things Chapter 30 – Truth and things Chapter 31 – Wine and women Chapter 31 – Wine and women

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Read Proverbs 1:8 Read Proverbs 1:8 What are the two parts of the couplet or parallelism? What are the two parts of the couplet or parallelism? 1. My, son, hear the instruction of thy father, 1. My, son, hear the instruction of thy father, 2. And forsake not the law of thy mother. 2. And forsake not the law of thy mother. How do we apply it in our life? How do we apply it in our life? Students answer. Students answer. Bonus: What kind of parallelism do you think it is? Bonus: What kind of parallelism do you think it is? I think it is a synthetic parallelism in that the two parts are put together to form a whole idea. I think it is a synthetic parallelism in that the two parts are put together to form a whole idea.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs Review Questions Review Questions Who wrote and/or complied most of the Proverbs? Who wrote and/or complied most of the Proverbs? Solomon Solomon How many proverbs did Solomon write? How many proverbs did Solomon write? To whom was it written? To whom was it written? “Wise man” or “son”. “Wise man” or “son”.

ILLC Sunday School 2004 The Proverbs What does the Hebrew word for proverb mean? What does the Hebrew word for proverb mean? Parallel, similar, or comparison Parallel, similar, or comparison How can we apply the book of Proverbs in our life as a Christian? How can we apply the book of Proverbs in our life as a Christian?