Proverbs for Today

PREFACE

If the essence of the Bible could be captured in any one book, it would be plain to see that the Book of Proverbs would be that book.

“Proverbs for Today” captures the mystery of the wisdom of God and cajoles the folly of man. This marvelous, intriguing book explores the depth of knowledge given by God to man and reveals the path of divine instruction. This book is a treasure to the wise man and a millstone to the foolish.

It is life and length of day to the pursuer and it is a shadow or a whisk of vapor to the scoffer. It is a testament of wisdom’s words and it is an indictment against the foolish.

Read this book with anticipation and expectancy and you will discover a treasure more valuable than rubies, gold or silver. Weigh its words on the scale of life and you will find the greatest rewards of all for today and in the life to come. Enjoy the journey!

Pastor Terrill L. Pearson

FOREWORD

When this author/researcher first started the study of Proverbs, it was for my own knowledge and understanding. However; as time went along I came to realize it could be used as a study guide to edify others. The King James Version of the Word is hard for the average person to understand. It’s written on a twelfth grade level in Old Elizabethan/ Shakespearean English. As you read these words, the world is communicating on a fifth grade level.

In offering this research to others, I entertain hope that it may be found useful.
The work of the modern Christian is varied and exacting. Therefore, it is to be supposed that anything that will contribute to their success and the better performance of their many duties, as a Christian, should receive a warm welcome.

This author does not claim that this work is perfect, but believes that it may prove helpful and suggestive to all people, especially the young person just entering the outside world.

The Holy Spirit encouraged me to prepare the research of Proverbs for over thirteen years. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the inspiration, perseverance, and tenacity to complete this undertaking.

It is tempting to take all the credit for the things that happen to us, whether we view them as good or bad. But another is at work in our lives! If we are children of our heavenly Father, every thing that takes place in our days proceeds through His “office” and is marked “approved.” Although, He doesn’t necessarily cause everything that happens, He certainly allows it. And His promise is this: to be with us in every circumstance, providing comfort, care, knowledge, wisdom and strength to endure every trial. He is our Lord to rely on.

“The progress of our spiritual growth is not a matter of our own initiative and designing; it is under the control and direction of God who has begun good work in us and will work patiently to perfect it until the day of Christ.”
(Richard F. Lovelace)

“In the 915 verses and 560 proverbs are many extremely practical precepts for a prudent and profitable life. They are almost equally apportioned between prohibitions and exhortations. Prudence is a synonym for wisdom, meaning skill in living life as the Creator designed it. Success in living can be found packaged in the distilled capsules of Proverbs.”
(Terry Hill)

“Alphabet letters, vowels, and consonants, formed into words, sentences, paragraphs, and books; spoken, lectured, signed, whispered, are written and printed. From friendly advice to impassioned speeches and from dusty volumes to daily tabloids, messages are sent and received with each sender trying to impart knowledge and wisdom. With the advent of the computer, we are in the TECHNOLOGICAL ERA; internet, e-mail, facebook, cell phones, etc., communications of knowledge and wisdom is now worldwide.”

Woven into human fabric is the desire to learn and understand. Our minds set us apart from animals, and we analyze, conceptualize, theorize, discuss, and debate everything from science to the supernatural. And we build schools, institutes, and universities where learned professors can teach us about the world and about life.

Knowledge is good, but there is a vast difference between “knowledge” (having the facts) and “wisdom” (applying those facts to life). We may amass knowledge, but without wisdom, our knowledge is useless. We must learn how to live out what we know.

The wisest man, who lived, King Solomon left us a legacy of written wisdom in three volumes; Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. In these books, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gives practical insights and guidelines for life.

In the first of these three volumes, Solomon passes on his practical advice in the form of proverbs. The word “proverb” comes from a Hebrew word that means “to rule or to govern”, and these sayings, reminders, and admonitions provide advice for governing our lives. A proverb is a short, concise sentence that conveys moral truth. The book of Proverbs is a collection of these wise statements. The main theme of Proverbs, as we might expect, is the nature of true wisdom. Solomon writes. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” He then proceeds to give hundreds (915 verses and 560 proverbs) of practical examples of how to live according to godly wisdom.

Proverbs covers a wide range of topics, including youth and discipline, family life, self-control and resisting temptation, business matters, words and tongue, knowing God, marriage, seeking the truth, wealth and poverty, immorality, and, of course, wisdom. These proverbs are short poems, containing a Holy mixture of common sense and timely warnings. Although they are not meant to teach doctrine, a person who follows their advice will walk more closely with God.

Understanding proverbs: Most often, proverbs are written in the form of couplets.
These are constructed in three ways. (1) Contrasting: meaning and application come from the differences or contrast between the two statements of the proverb. Key word; “but”. (2) Comparing: meaning and application come from the similarities or comparison between the two statements of the proverb. Key words; “as/so”, “better/than”. (3) Complementing: meaning and application come from the way the second statement complements the first. Key word “and”.

Letter for letter, word for word, punctuation for punctuation taken from the King James Version of the Bible. In [brackets] are what this author/researcher compiled from other sources and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Chapters 1 through 9 are wisdom verses; foolishness, poems and monologues. Literature from two schools, (Hillel and Shammal) sent to young people about to go out into the world. Hillel and Shammal have produced more scholars than any other school in the ancient world. Almost every nation under the sun patronized these schools.

Chapters 10 through 31, mostly proverbs. Their enrollment in God’s school of wisdom to learn prudence.

It is not my intentions to change a single Holy word of God by adding to or subtracting from it. Only to clarify it, so the average person that reads this material can more readily understand it.

As you read Proverbs, understand that knowing God is the key to wisdom. Listen to the thoughts and lessons from the world’s wisest, man, and apply these truths to your life. Don’t just read these proverbs; act on them!