The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. -Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs give insight into the values of a culture... Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him. Scottish Proverb The best armor is to keep out of range. Italian Proverb Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence. Spanish Proverb If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep. Yiddish Proverb

Don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm. Malayan Proverb Examine what is said, not him who speaks. Arab Proverb Experience is the comb that nature gives us when we are bald. Belgian proverb The eyes believe themselves; the ears believe other people. German Proverb

The hammer shatters glass but forges steel. Russian Proverb A heart in love with beauty never grows old. Turkish Proverb He who wants a rose must respect the thorn. Persian Proverb If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself. Spanish Proverb A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Chinese Proverb

King Solomon is the main writer of the Book of Proverbs. The original title in Hebrew is translated “The Proverbs of Solomon.” But it is also likely Solomon collected and edited proverbs other than his own. (Look up Ecclesiastes 12:9!)

Having “knowledge” is not the same thing as having “wisdom.” Agree or disagree? What’s the difference?

Knowledge = the gathering of facts, figures, data Wisdom = the ability to see people, events, and situations as God sees them. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in all kinds of everyday matters: Personal Behavior, Business ethics, Money Matters, Parenting, Friendship, Politics, Revenge, Discipline, Ambition, Sex...

Wisdom is the main character in the Book of Proverbs. Wisdom is often personified as a woman but represents a grand, divine wisdom that transcends the whole of history, peoples, and cultures. Solomon repeatedly encourages his readers to seek wisdom, get wisdom, and understand wisdom. He also tells us—and repeats it— that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (1:7; 9:10).

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment and embodiment of God’s wisdom for the world. In Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3), we find the answer to our search for wisdom. The wisdom that is found only in Jesus in contrast to the foolishness of the world which encourages us to be wise in our own eyes. The Book of Proverbs repeatedly stresses the difference between the way of the world and God’s way. (Look Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25!)

Most proverbs are only two lines long and typically contrast opposite things or ideas. Proverbs often overstate or oversimplify in order to make the intended point. A proverb is addressing general experience and NOT every possibility or exception. Proverbs typically use word pictures or images to make their point. The reason for this is the belief that visualizing or seeing the truth leads to living or practicing the truth.

There are proverbs that contrast (the right way from the wrong way). They emphasize the importance of choosing correctly to avoid the fate of the fool. (Look up Proverbs 3.33; 10.4 & 12.5!) There are proverbs that compare. These proverbs make comparisons using similes. A simile is a word picture or image that is compared with something else using the words “like” or “as” (Look up Proverbs & 25.25!) There are proverbs that complete or clarify the point of the first line. (Look up Proverbs 1.8 & 18.6!)

There are THREE sections: CONTRASTS – IMAGES – SIMILES Complete ALL THREE sections. You MAY work in PAIRS.

1. Finish the handout of the Book of Proverbs (if you didn't finish it in class!) 2. Completely memorize Proverbs 1:7. 3. Finish the Book of Proverbs assignment. Identify and interact with your favorite five proverbs. Identify and interact with five proverbs that confuse you. Create five original proverbs.