Proverbs 1:1-7
A. What are Proverbs? Short saying of practical truth
B. Why Solomon? Wisest who lived (1 Kings 4:29-32)
C. Why the Son of David? The Promised Just Ruler
The Biblical Wisdom Literature
-Broken by sin, life can be meaningless (Job).
-Well-lived life takes account of romantic love in its time—which points to the marriage at the end of God’s story (Song of Songs).
-Because of sin’s evil and irregularities, life can make no sense, be disordered, and dishonor God (Ecclesiastes).
-Because of the regular nature God made, experience can make sense, order life, and honor God (Proverbs).
1. Sturdy character, sound thinking start with a long look at God.
“The Simple” (peti): youthfully ignorant, naïve, inexperienced
“Fear”: the ultimate respect that quickly moves your deepest emotions
2. Our universal knowledge of God shows our guilt against the backdrop of our greatness (Romans 1:18-23).
-“They did not honor him as God or give thanks. . .” (1:21)
-The law “speaks” “so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.” (3:19)
-“The righteousness of God has been shown apart from law” “through faith in Jesus Christ . . .” (3:21-22)
We suppress truth; the laws holds accountable; the King rescues; the Great Teacher restores.
3. Christ is wisdom; Christ wins and gives the rewards and benefits of wisdom; Christ calls us toward the greater health of wisdom.
