Proverbs

🏛️ Historical context

Wisdom was cultivated at court and in families. Solomon was the great patron of wisdom in Israel, though the book contains several collections from different periods.

🔙 Background

Israel shares with other peoples the search for wisdom, but grounds it in God: "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (1:7).

🧭 Structure of the book

⭐ Key events and teachings

1. 1"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (1:7)
2. 2Wisdom personified calling in the streets (ch. 8)
3. 3"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" (3:5)
4. 4Advice on speech, laziness and honesty
5. 5Praise of the capable wife (31:10-31)

🏷️ Main themes

📖 Verses to memorize

• Proverbs 1:7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• Proverbs 3:5-6Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
• Proverbs 4:23With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it.
• Proverbs 16:3Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
• Proverbs 22:6It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

💭 For reflection

• Which proverb do I need to apply this week?
• What does "fear of God" mean, and why is it not fright?

A collection of proverbs and advice for living wisely in family, work and society. It teaches that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.