20 - Proverbs

TLDR: Wisdom for daily life: fear the LORD, choose wisdom over folly, and live with integrity. Short sayings and longer poems. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."

Overarching Storyline

Prologue: purpose of Proverbs (ch. 1–9). Sayings of Solomon (ch. 10–22). Thirty sayings of the wise (ch. 22–24). More of Solomon (ch. 25–29). Agur, Lemuel's mother (ch. 30–31). The capable wife (ch. 31).

Bible Project: Proverbs overview.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Solomon (most), Agur, Lemuel.
• Image: Wisdom and Folly as women, path, lamp.
• Number: 31 (chapters; many read ch. 31 for the wife), 7 (abominations in 6:16–19).
• Phrase: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart" (3:5); "Fear of the LORD is the beginning" (9:10).

Highlights

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust in the LORD; lean not on your own understanding.
• Proverbs 9:10 — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
• Proverbs 22:6 — Train up a child in the way he should go.
• Proverbs 31 — The capable wife; often used for women of character.

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: Psalms is worship; Proverbs is practical wisdom.
• After: Ecclesiastes questions and refines wisdom; Proverbs states the rules of the game.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Wisdom. Living well under God; the NT picks up "fear of the LORD" and wisdom (e.g. James). Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).

Interesting Facts

• Wisdom personified (ch. 8) — Creation through wisdom; John 1 echoes (Word with God).
• Proverbs 31 — Acrostic (each verse begins with a Hebrew letter); used in many traditions for women and character.