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Wednesday 07/03/25
Thru the Bible: Proverbs
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Wisdom shouts in the streets!
Proverbs 1:1-33,
“(1) The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
This clearly mentions Solomon in connection with the contents of the next 9 chapters.
There is no other superscript offered until we arrive at chapter 10 when the book takes on an entirely different form – on through to chapter 29.
While many modern scholars have debated whether these first 9 chapters were authored by Solomon or simply collected by him, I believe he likely authored them. They are written in more of a story form which implies an origin which is in some way connected to a person’s real life. Furthermore, the instructions of ‘A’ father and mother are mentioned with the invitation to learn from what appears to have been personal instruction from a real set of parents. This, as well as various dating methods pointing to an early authorship, seem to collaborate together in suggesting these proverbs came from personal experience of someone who lived at the same time period as Solomon. Since we know who his parents were, this makes all the more sense, though admittedly it really does not matter who authored them.
This superscript also serves a dual purpose. It is of course an introduction to the first 9 chapters of the book of Proverbs. However, it also is a condensing of their purpose for being compiled in what amounts to 6 bullet points covered in the following 6 verses. Each of these stand alone as a single thought and reason for proceeding in the book. So it is essential in our study to bear these in mind and use them as suggested.
Simply stated the goals are to learn, receive, impart, discern and walk in the reverential fear of God.
“(2) To learn wisdom and moral instruction, to discern wise counsel.”
The learning referred to here is progressive. It means to “come to know” and so is to some degree connected to experience. Reading and learning from these proverbs will aid the student in coming to know by way of experience rather than just through academic pursuit. This first point shares something in common with our last point so remember it.
It includes the intellectual digestion of moral wisdom as well as its practical use in application. This offers genuine skill for living a moral life which produces something of lasting value.
“(3) To receive moral instruction in skillful living, with righteousness, justice, and equity.”
The word “receive” here means to acquire something valued so that the entire idea is one of treasuring. This is the same word used for “receive” as is used in chapter 2:1 which through parallelism make this point –
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,”
So these proverbs are useful for the one who sees value in moral wisdom and seeks to store it up so as to live righteously, justly and with equity or integrity.
“(4) To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, a discerning plan to the young person.”
The intended audience for this proverbial benefit is the naive. Just to be clear, that is referring to the simple minded or those easily influenced in ANY direction without discernment.
These bring to mind the “double-minded” of James and the “chaff” of David’s 1st Psalm, they are said to be easily blown about by the slightest wind.
These proverbs CAN teach such people shrewdness.
Now shrewdness typically conjures images boardering upon the misleading. It is a loaded gun in scripture if misunderstood and misapplied and so needs a clear context to be understood.
Possible meanings of this Hebrew word beyond shrewdness are craftiness, cleverness and prudence. So while it is used to refer to wickedly concocted plans, premeditated deception & murder, it also can mean insightfulness leading to prudent actions. It suggests an astute judgment often expressed in business dealings and very practical matters.
“(5) (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!)”
In immediate and stark contrast is the wise man. These too will increase his learning. As the verse implies, since they ARE already wise, their proclivity to listen to and learn from instruction is all but guaranteed. They are discerning people and who will upon exposure to wise sayings – obtain guidance!
“(6) To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.”
This fifth purpose of the book focuses on the benefits of proverbs to the student. By means of study, rather than just simple exposure, the student of proverbs will become adept at discerning the key to unlocking the meaning of riddles and parables.
The phrase “the meaning of” is not actually in the Hebrew text, but it is implied and so is added for the sake of clarity.
The noun translated as “parable” literally means “allusive expression; an enigma”. A related word means מֵלִיץ (melits) means “interpreter” and another yet related Arabic root means “to turn aside”. Taken all together these most likely carry the meaning of a truth that is hidden in plain sight – right in the words everyone can read, but only someone like this can see or discern.
“(7) Fearing the LORD is the BEGINNING of discernment, but fools have despised wisdom and moral instruction.”
There simply isn’t enough that could be said about all the Fear of the LORD does for human existence. As you know the deep, and reverential respect due to God is literally nothing more than esteeming God’s true value as best as we are able given our current limited spiritual vision.
God has infinite value. He simply “IS” or said another way… His way, “I am that I am”.
God is the same as He ever was or ever will be. He does not and in fact cannot change.
For God to change runs contrary to every fiber of His being. He not only can’t, He won’t! For God, change would be a vertically downward move. He would have to go from Who He is, to something less than He is, because He most certainly cannot become greater.
So to approach anything and everything in life, with a view towards God’s pleasure, delight, honor and glory is the height of existence for us and wonderful it is too!
In living this way – within the light of His exalted position, we do not lower ourselves or lessen our value. On the contrary, it is only in this environment that we have true sight, can understand things as they really are, are freed to enjoy life to its fullest and grasp the infinite value we have as those who were created in His likeness.
Without surrender to and embracing of this very basic and most fundamental of truths, no true learning, understanding or wisdom can be achieved.
Academic learning in the most earthly prestigious institutions on earth, more often than not produces educated fools. They can find all the numbers, work through the most brain twisting calculations only to arrive at an answer, which they have no mental aptitude to truly grasp.
God is elusive to them and so they are to be pitied not celebrated for they know much and yet understand nothing!
I am reminded of an illustration used to capture the stupidity of evolution when pitied against that basic common sense possessed by most people. You have two groups of people, both holding the same evidence and yet arriving at two radically different conclusions.
There was a man who was testing the leaping ability of a frog who consistently would jump 10 feet from a dead stop upon hearing the command, “Jump frog, jump!”.
So to determine the source of its impressive leaping ability, the man cut off one of its legs and said, “Jump frog, jump!” which resulted in a 8 foot forward leap.
So, as you probably guessed he removed yet another limb and commanded, “Jump frog, jump!” which resulted in a 6 foot jump.
Then the man removed his third limb and did the same. He said, “Jump frog, jump!” which resulted in a 4 foot jump.
Finally the man removed the frog’s last limb and commanded, “Jump frog, jump!” expecting the frog to leap 2 feet in keeping with his predictable decline in performance. Of course, this time the frog failed to respond at all.
The group of people with common sense attributed this to the frog having nothing with which to jump.
Those who were educated fools determined that once you cut off all the limbs of a frog they go deaf.
Now that is a silly example but not really that much more stupid than the atheistic conclusions of this generation.
As I said when examining our first point, which was “To learn wisdom and moral instruction, to discern wise counsel.” The Fear of the Lord is the FIRST STEP leading to that learning and discerning of instruction.
The fool however, will never attain it!
Now, in a very real way the book of Proverbs doesn’t really begin until now in the 8th verse. Up until now it has been offering us the benefits which can be afforded those who learn, receive, impart, discern and walk in the reverential fear of God.
Now it begins to lay down that wisdom for us.
“(8) Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother. (9) For they will be like an elegant garland on your head, and like pendants around your neck.”
The reason the word “child” is used in this and so many proverbs is due to their gentle state. They fit the description of “simple” or “naive” from the initial verses of this chapter. They are easily led astray and lack common sense and discernment.
HOWEVER, IF they hold their parents in respect – a respect that is not all that different that that we are called upon to exhibit towards the Lord as “fear”, then they are going to be predisposed to assume their parents know best. Furthermore, that their parents have their best interest at heart and most of all can be trusted!
So a child is a great word for all of us who are approaching proverbs.
The examples offered possess the meanings of being adorned with true, and uncorruptable beauty and honor.
The metaphor is of a wreath or headdress or decorative crown. The Hebrew word translated as “elegant or grace” here refers to qualities that make a person pleasant, agreeable, gracious and even charming.
The chain or pendant is also decorative like a necklace.
So this is saying that a father and mother’s instructions will crown you with pleasant and agreeable qualities if listened to an obeyed.
Parental advice often runs contrary to popular advice. For example a good parent will instill good, pleasant and noble work ethic into their children. They want them to be able to make their way in the world, but in such a way as to bring no reproach on themselves and such that allows them to not feel shame at the image in the mirror.
So this “story proverb” moves from the solidity, beauty and suitable instruction of loving parents to common street advice from common thugs.
“(10) My child, if sinners try to entice you, do not consent!
(11) If they say,
“Come with us! We will lie in wait to shed blood; we will ambush an innocent person capriciously. (12) We will swallow them alive like Sheol, those full of vigor like those going down to the Pit.
(13) We will seize all kinds of precious wealth; we will fill our houses with plunder.
(14) Join with us! We will all share equally in what we steal.”
Of course we know the sort. These people have anything but equality on their minds. What they most likely want is free help and a scapegoat when things go south. Something a child is most vulnerable to fall into due to the promise of easy money, adventure and camaraderie.
“(15) My child, do not go down their way, withhold yourself from their path; (16) for they are eager to inflict harm, and they hasten to shed blood.
(17) Surely it is futile to spread a net in plain sight of any bird, (18) but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they ambush their own lives!
(19) Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly; it takes away the life of those who obtain it!”
I am reminded of the play, “A Raisin in the Sun” which is about a black family living in a small, cramped apartment on the south end of Chicago in the 1950s. In this play, the father of the family known as “Big Walter”, died before the curtain even rises on the play. In fact it is his death and the ensuing $10,000 insurance check that is the catalyst for the whole play.
Everybody had their own aspirations for its use.
The mother, known as “Mama”, dreamed of owning a house for her family, with a window boxes for flowers and a yard large enought for her grandson Travis to play in!
The son, like the young man in this proverb, was enticed by some crafty, lowlifes posing as upstart businessmen. He begged “Mama” for the money, claiming that this investment will quadruple what they put into it. She winds up giving the money to him, $3,000 of which was set aside for his sister’s medical education.
Needless to say the “businessmen” ran off with the money and the son returned home broken and defeated.
Now in the play that story is very redemptive in that “Mama” teaches her children the real meaning of love in how she encouraged them to see this through her son’s eyes rather than their own. Nevertheless, in most ways that count, THAT young man is THIS young man in this parabolic proverb!
Now the reader is encouraged to listen for a voice that is ever calling out to the sons of men.
“(20) Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas; (21) at the head of the noisy streets she calls, in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words:”
Now wisdom is personified as a woman. While there are many women’s Bible study books which will make much of this, let me just say – yes women can be wise and a wise husband will seek out his wife’s counsel. However, the fact that wisdom is presented as a woman is simply a matter of Hebrew grammar. You see every noun in Hebrew is either male or female, there are no neutral gender nouns and this applies to both animate and inanimate objects.
In this case, the word for wisdom here is hokmot. It appears only 5 times in all of scripture – all of them in Proverbs. It is the feminine noun form of the Hebrew word hokmah which was the wisdom God gave to Israel in all manner of skilled labor.
So it is that when the author decided to personify wisdom, he was grammatically compelled to present wisdom as a woman.
Now, just so you can get the most out of this analogy, consider how and where wisdom chooses to seek out those who most need her!
- “She calls out in the streets” – This is an excited, ringing cry – a shout.
- “Shouts loudly in the plazas” – This refers to the wide plazas or broad open spaces near the gate where all the people assembled.
- “at the head of the noisy streets she calls” – This has wisdom making loud proclamations on the summits of the walls and speaking
- “in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words” – The notes in the New English translation tells us –
“The phrase “in the city” further defines the area of the entrance just inside the gate complex, the business area. In an ancient Near Eastern city, business dealings and judicial proceedings would both take place in this area.”
So Solomon wisely uses this personification of wisdom as a woman crying out in this place of business and judgment to capture the attention of his reader. Especially in his time this would serve as a very vivid picture. An unusual and maybe even skirting around the unorthodox for a woman to make such public appeals to all who pass by in this place.
The Holman has it this way,
“(20) Wisdom calls out in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares. (21) She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:” – Prov. 1:20-21
Continuing on in Proverbs 1…
“(22) “How long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long have mockers delighted in mockery? And how long will fools hate knowledge?
(23) You should respond to my rebuke.
Then I would pour out my thoughts to you; I would make my words known to you.
(24) However, because I called but you refused to listen, because I stretched out my hand but no one was paying attention, (25) and you neglected all my advice, and did not comply with my rebuke, (26) so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you, I will mock when what you dread comes, (27) when what you dread comes like a whirlwind, and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm, when distressing trouble comes on you.
(28) Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me.
(29) Because they hated moral knowledge, and did not choose to fear the LORD, (30) they did not comply with my advice, they spurned all my rebuke.
(31) Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel.
(32) For the waywardness of the simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of fools will destroy them. (33) But the one who listens to me will live in security, and will be at ease from the dread of harm.”
Blessings!
Tri
