Proverbs: Words to Live By: Chapters 6-10

Chapter Six
What situation is Solomon addressing in 6:1-5? Why does he think it’s so dangerous?





Proverbs directs us to “consider the ant, and be wise…” (6:6-8) Why do you think Proverbs uses this sort of “animal example”? Is it merely an illustration point, or is there something deeper…something more profound that Proverbs is attempting to say about Creation? (Consider this question in light of 3:19-20; 8:22-31)

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Chapter Seven
What is the seventh chapter about? Why do you think so?
· You’ll notice a lot of talk in Proverbs centering upon sexual relationships. Proverbs repeatedly calls its readers (whom it presumes to be young men) to avoid the immoral woman and instead remain faithful to the wives of their youth. While on one level these passages are to be taken literally (at least I think so), there is also a symbolic level at work. The overall message of Proverbs seems to be that there are two paths to choose from: the path of wisdom, or that of folly. These “two ways” are personified by women. Scholars typically refer to these personas as Lady Wisdom and Dame Folly. (Notice the comparison between 8:11 and 31:10)

Assuming this is accurate, why do you suppose God would have chosen to use women as the personification of the two ways?


Chapter Eight and Nine
Lady Wisdom and Dame Folly make their respective pleas to men. Do you notice anything about how Wisdom & Folly make their pleas? (9:3, 14)? Also, notice the difference in the length of Wisdom’s cry versus Folly’s (8:1-9:12; 9:13-18) Do you suppose there could be any significance to this?






Chapter Ten
How true do you think 10:3-4 are? Is this a message that our culture reinforces, or one that it challenges? Why do you say so?





How do we reconcile these verses with the biblical commands to care for the poor?





What is the meaning of 10:15 and 16?





What do you suppose is the relationship between the people in 10:17 and those in 10:4, 16?



How does 10:19-21 impact your understanding of 10:18? Does all this talk about the power of words remind you of anything in the New Testament?
· Bring in James 1:26; 3:1-12. Also, have you ever considered how God created the world in the first place? Or how when Isaac was tricked into offering his blessing to Jacob, he could offer no blessing for Esau? (Gen. 27:1-37)

Do you think that our society respects the power of words? Why or why not?