What is Proverbs good for? Wisdom. The concept of wisdom was as deeply entrenched in ancient Hebrew thought as the concept of Torah and prophetic intervention (the Law and the Prophet). "Chokmah" (hokmah - wisdom) is about living a life that is both smart and serene - a life of practical and spiritual equilibrium. Set alongside the books of the Law and the Prophets, with their particular purposes, the wisdom writings of the Old Testament are written to provide moral understanding, to inform the reader's heart and common sense to enhance the reader's skills for living well. You'll notice that Proverbs, in particular, is written with young people in mind as a kind of moral primer. But you'll also notice that there's nothing juvenile about the topics discusses or the advice given. During our study of Proverbs, we'll be looking at business ethics, family dynamics, sexuality, peacemaking, and a variety of other substantive matters.

Solomon is considered to be the author of many proverbs and the compiler and editor of the gathered collection. Solomon's own story reads like a Greek tragedy. He starts well, asking God for wisdom above all things. Sadly, the depth of his wisdom and insight is not matched by the strength (or lack thereof) of his character. Solomon turns into the most wretched of creatures - someone who certainly knows right from wrong, but has not the moral strength to heed the advice of his own discernment. In other words, he has a terrible time living up to his own noble ideals.

Most people credit Solomon with writing Ecclesiastes also. If so, we see him coming around, leaning back toward God, late in life, with a weathered, somewhat cynical view of life and faith.

As for Proverbs, what is it for?  Absolutely…everything!

What specifically is it good for?  Let's start reading verses 1-5, where in the most straightforward language imaginable, Proverbs tells us what it's good for.

For attaining wisdom and discipline (wisdom first and foremost – Chokmah. Discipline as an honored means).

For understanding words of insight (insight – seeing into the depth of things).

For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life.

Doing what is right and just and fair (not merely about personal knowledge to benefit self, but also toward a life of righteousness, justice, and fairness in relation to God and others).

For giving prudence to the simple (naiveté` is not a high value in Proverbs, the simpleton is often the object of good counsel).

For giving knowledge and discretion to the young (again, how can young people use better judgment).

In case some people feel they don't fit in among the young and the simple, verse five says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the discerning get guidance.”  In other words, this isn't just for dopes to learn how not to be dopes. This book offers instructions for everyone.

Later in chapter one, as it's prone to do, Proverbs personifies wisdom, referring to her in female terms (to the women, that only makes sense doesn't it?  Wisdom is a woman?   Ladies, before you get too comfortable with that, you should also know that folly is also referred to in female terms.)

Verse 20 “Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares.”  I won't read all of the poetic parallelism (repetition and variations on the same idea). But what does lady wisdom call out?

First, an appeal. "How long will you simple over love your simple ways? How long will mockers love mockery and fools hate knowledge.” Please, she's saying, listen!

Then a regret. “If you'd only have listened up to this point, I would have poured out my heart to you. But you rejected me, ignored me; I'm left laughing at your stupidity as calamities and disasters sweep over you. If only you had listened, wisdom laments.”

Then a warning. “If that's what they want, verse 31, they'll eat the fruits of it – death, destruction.”

Then, almost like an infomercial, wisdom begins listing benefit after benefit of paying heed to her counsel. If you invest in me – if you look for wisdom as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure – you'll have understanding, knowledge, and victory. You'll be guarded, protected, saved. You'll walk the right way, keep to the right paths; upright and blameless you'll live in the land (a phrase borrowed from the covenant language of the Torah).

In chapter 3, see more fond of wisdom as a lady; precious, beautiful and gracious. She is more profitable than gold and yields better returns than silver and is more precious than rubies. Her ways are pleasant and lead to peace. She is a tree of life for those who embrace her. She is life for you. She is an ornament to grace your neck. She is your safety; sleep will be sweet, fears will be alleviated, confidence will be the fruit of life lived in pursuit of wisdom.

There are two fundamental questions that each of us must ask in the presence of lady wisdom. If we do not ask these questions honestly, or answer them well, this study will be a waste of time. The proverbs will be interesting, sometimes humorous, but not altogether helpful if we haven't managed these questions.

The first question is this:  Do I WANT wisdom?  Seriously, is this something I want?  The classic human response is, “sure, why not.”  But in deepest hearts we reserve the right to be idiots. First, we have pre-planned schemes that we really don't want submitted to the approval process that wisdom would require. In other words, if I suddenly get wise I might have to change my life. Why would I want to do that?

Second, we might not really want lady wisdom because she can be heavy to carry. Ignorance can be bliss and wisdom can be weighty. It's lighter, we think, to be ignorant or feign ignorance so that we can stay detached from some things and attached to others, while wisdom might ask us to detach from the others and attach to some.

Third, like Solomon, if we're wise, how do we escape that wretched feeling of sinning even though we really, really know better?  So I wink at my self and decide that choosing to be ignorant gives me license for conscience-free indulgence.

But, oh, if we say “yes I want her,” we open the door to her many benefits – understanding, knowledge, prudence, safety, victory, uprightness, blamelessness.

I want her…really I do. Or as least I want to want her. Proverbs 2:10, Wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. I want that and I believe it.

And I need her. That's the second question. Do we need wisdom?  If we believe we don't, this study is useless…Proverbs, like so much of scripture, is laden with truth for those who have ears to hear. That means that the arrogant, the ones who really are only picking through the scriptures for lecture material, or for some historic precedent to support a previously held  bias, will not get it or receive it. The magic of Proverbs (all of scripture) is unleashed on the teachable spirit. Many proverbs are aimed directly at the proud, who don't believe they need counsel. Sadly, the proud are likely to be gazing around the sanctuary thinking, “Boy does he need to hear this!”  Or, “Wow, I hope she's listening.”

Proverbs is good counsel for the simple to gain some insight and discernment. It's counsel for the mockers to learn humility and discretion. It's counsel for the knowledgeable to become truly insightful. We all need wisdom. I hope we all know we need wisdom

Toward that end, I submit myself to the study and admit freely today that I want wisdom and that I need wisdom. My intention is to study and pray and share notes and thoughts and a few experiences with you each week. I hope you'll do the same with me and with each other – study, pray, share notes with a friend and a few experiences, too.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Living wisdom – the wisdom of God becomes flesh. Jesus, the personification of wisdom.