# 398 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 1:1-7 (Introduction # 2)

Now, before we get into the finer details of this book, I think it would be helpful to consider some more background information.

Concerning the author, the introduction in the Jewish Study Bible says, “According to tradition, [Solomon] wrote the love lyrics of the Song of Songs when he was young, the wisdom of Proverbs in his midlife, and the disillusioned complaints of Ecclesiastes when he was old.” (# 7) The key word being that this was only a “tradition” and not actually substantiated.

In fact, it seems that there were a number of different authors of Proverbs. NIV Study Bible suggests, “Pr. 22:17 refers to the ‘sayings of the wise’ … [even the possibility of] a circle of wise men… Ch. 30 is attributed to Agur son of Jakeh and 31:1-9 to King Lemuel… Most of the book, however, is closely linked with Solomon.” (# 45)

No matter what we may think of Solomon, particularly concerning the latter years of his life, God certainly had granted him wisdom in answer to his prayer (see 1 Kings 3) and so we read:

 ²⁹ God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ He was wiser than anyone else… And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. ³² He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. ³³ He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. ³⁴ From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.           (1 Kings 4:29-34)

In his commentary, John MacArthur suggests that “proverbs pulls together the most important 513 of the over 3000 proverbs [mentioned above] pondered by Solomon… along with some proverbs of others whom Solomon might have influenced. The word proverb means ‘to be like,’ thus Proverbs is a book of comparisons between common, concrete images and life’s most profound truths. Proverbs are simple, moral statements (or illustrations) that highlight and teach fundamental realities about life… designed to make people contemplate (1) the fear of God and (2) living by His wisdom (1:7; 9;10).” (# 52)

Even though Solomon started well (and left us a legacy of all this “wisdom” to consider and implement into our own lives), sadly his life did not end well, as he eventually failed to live out the truths he had learnt and had taught others. We read in 1 Kings 11:4-6 that

⁴ As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. ⁵ He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. ⁶ So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.

I guess the challenge for you and me is to take note of the wisdom we read in Proverbs and take Jame’s advice when he says Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) But, of course this can only be a reality in our lives as our hearts remain fully devoted to the Lord our God and we then follow Him completely, right to the end. And this, only possible due to the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us (1 Corinthians 6:19).

So, although some of this “wisdom” in Proverbs may be “interesting” to our 21^st Century minds and hearts (it was written 3000 years ago!), may God speak to us from what is written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going… [and from this] manual for living, [learn about] what’s right and just and fair, and then apply it to our daily lives. Our families and friends, the church and our broken world deserves and desperately needs this from us!

Of Jesus, the people asked after hearing him teach: “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” (Matthew 15:34) May there be those who ask the same question even of us, as we continue to follow Jesus!