The New is in the Old concealed: Proverbs - Thurs 7 Dec

Proverbs – sayings of the wise.

What a wonderfully rich book this is. It has 31 chapters so a chapter a day could well keep the doctor at bay! It’s a very down-to-earth book, containing advice and teaching on many topics including finance, treatment of neighbours, the poor and oppressed, discipline of children, family and social matters, work, alcohol and food. Proverbs contains a surprisingly large number of references to the use of the tongue!! Wonder why?

The tone of the book is set early on. 1:1-4 says The proverbs of Solomon….for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;….prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.

In case we think that this is some kind of humanist treatise, 1:7 makes a clear statement:  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..

How then is the new revealed in this old book of sayings?

A couple of examples:

1. Wisdom is a person and that person is Jesus. Chapter 8 and especially 22-36 make this clear. 8:23 says: I , (Wisdom) was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. Sounds like Genesis1:1 and John 1:1!  When we are exhorted to seek Wisdom, we are being exhorted to seek Jesus.

2. Wisdom, knowledge, discretion, prudence, instruction, understanding, insight, discernment, learning, guidance, teaching…. all of these are flagged up in chapters 1-4 as benefits of reading this book. Doesn’t this list resemble the spiritual gifts mentioned by Paul in 1 Cor 12:7-11? Scattered throughout Proverbs you will also find constant mention of the fruit of the Spirit; compare with Galatians 5:22-23.

Proverbs, sayings of the wise, read and enjoy.