In my TGIF message last week, I introduced some new scripture that I had not used previously. The Bible passage I used from the Book of Proverbs was shared by a pretty unknown person who had just recently gained fame for a new song he had written and sang, and the song jumped to the top of the music charts. I used it to explain how this previously unknown person all of a sudden had access to a large new following, and he chose to use this time to share his belief in God with his large audience. This action is similar to many athletes who, when they accomplish some great victory, choose “to give all the credit to God”.
I was also taken by the beauty and simplicity in this message, which is why my attention was so drawn to it last week. That is also the reason for this week’s TGIF message! Here is that scripture one more time for you to consider.
Proverbs 4:20-27 – My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 They are not to escape from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their body. 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth and keep devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn your foot from evil.
The Book of Proverbs in the Bible is also known as “The Proverbs of Solomon”. Solomon was the son of David, and Solomon replaced David as King upon the death of David.
2 Samuel 12:24 – Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and slept with her; and she gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. Now the Lord loved him, …
1 Kings 2:10-12 – Then David lay down with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David. 11 Now the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: in Hebron he reigned for seven years, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years. 12 Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established.
Now Solomon was given great wisdom by God:
1 Kings 4:29-30, 32 – Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. … 32 He also told three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered 1,005.
The Book of Proverbs brings together what is considered to be the most important 513 of the over 3,000 proverbs pondered by Solomon. In addition to the Book of Proverbs, King Solomon also wrote Psalms 72 and 127, and the Books of Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon Note that in Greek and Latin the word “Ecclesiastes” means “Preacher”, which Solomon was considered to be.
Solomon’s final words of advice were the following:
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 – In addition to being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and masters of these collections are like driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive study is wearying to the body. 13 The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
My Bible commentary on Proverbs summarizes it as follows – Proverbs is both a pattern for the tender impartation of truth from generation to generation, as well as a vast resource for the content of the truth to be imparted. Proverbs contains the principles and applications of Scripture which the godly characters of the Bible illustrate in their lives.
The two major themes which are interwoven and overlapping throughout Proverbs are wisdom and folly. Wisdom, which includes knowledge, understanding, instruction, discretion, and obedience, is built on the fear of the Lord and the Word of God. Folly is everything opposite to wisdom.
I hope this TGIF message will inspire you to further study the meaningful writings of King Solomon!