Prov. 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
· Explain the imagery of this proverb.
Prov. 26:7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
· What does this mean?
Prov. 27:11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad. Then I will be able to answer my critics.
· And what will that answer be? What might the critics charge?
Prov. 27:14 A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse!
· What’s this proverb trying to say?
Prov. 27:21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.
· What do you think this means?
Prov. 27:23-27 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation. After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears and the mountain grasses are gathered in, your sheep will provide wool for clothing, and your goats will provide the price of a field. And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself, your family, and your servant girls.
· What is the point of this proverb?
· How do you think it applies to you today?
The Sayings of Agur
Prov. 30:24-28 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. Hyraxes—they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks. Locusts—they have no king, but they march in formation. Lizards—they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’ palaces.
· Why all this talk about animals? What do they have to do with being wise?
· Any ideas on what lesson we’re supposed to get from the lizard?
Prov. 30:29-31 There are three things that walk with stately stride—no, four that strut about: the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything; the strutting rooster; the male goat; and a king as he leads his army.
· Why does Agur say, “There are three things…no, four…”
· Why is the king leading an army mentioned last?
· So what is the overall point of this proverb?
Sayings of King Lemuel (and his momma)
Prov. 31:2-9 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and the helpless, and see that they get justice.
· What is the overall idea here? What’s this proverb about?
· What did Lemuel’s momma mean when she said “women ruin kings?”
· What did Lemuel’s momma say about alcohol? What were her reasons?
· In what ways can the church “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves?”
Prov. 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
· Broadly-speaking, there are two things this passage could be about. What are they?
· What things make this woman so attractive…so “good"?
Showing posts with label Proverbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proverbs. Show all posts
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Proverbs: Words to Live By: Chapters 21-25
Prov. 21:9 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. [see also: Prov. 21:19 and 25:24]
· What’s the main point of this proverb?
Prov. 22:7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
· How is this proverb illustrated today?
Prov. 22:10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.
· Does “throwing out the mocker” strike you as a Christian response? Why or why not?
Prov. 22:11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.
· What does this mean?
· Which king is he talking about?
Prov. 22:13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”
· What do you think the point of this proverb is?
Prov. 24:3-4 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
· What does it meant to “build a house”?
· What other ways do people try to build their houses?
Prov. 24:10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is small.
· What’s the message for us?
Prov. 24:11-12 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and He sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
· What’s the basic point?
· How can you fulfill this command individually?
· How can we as a church?
Prov. 24:27 Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.
· Do you understand?
Prov. 24:28-9 Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”
· Is there any reason these proverbs are stuck right next to each other?
Prov. 24:30-34 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
· What’s the point of this?
Prov. 25:3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
· What are some possible meanings of this proverb?
Prov. 25:18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
· The ancient rabbis saw slander as a violation of the commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.”
· What’s the main point of this proverb?
Prov. 22:7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
· How is this proverb illustrated today?
Prov. 22:10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.
· Does “throwing out the mocker” strike you as a Christian response? Why or why not?
Prov. 22:11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.
· What does this mean?
· Which king is he talking about?
Prov. 22:13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”
· What do you think the point of this proverb is?
Prov. 24:3-4 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
· What does it meant to “build a house”?
· What other ways do people try to build their houses?
Prov. 24:10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is small.
· What’s the message for us?
Prov. 24:11-12 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and He sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
· What’s the basic point?
· How can you fulfill this command individually?
· How can we as a church?
Prov. 24:27 Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.
· Do you understand?
Prov. 24:28-9 Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”
· Is there any reason these proverbs are stuck right next to each other?
Prov. 24:30-34 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
· What’s the point of this?
Prov. 25:3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
· What are some possible meanings of this proverb?
Prov. 25:18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
· The ancient rabbis saw slander as a violation of the commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.”
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Greasing the Wheels or Sleazing the Deals?
Proverbs explicitly speaks of bribes no fewer than five times (15:27; 17:8, 23; 21:14; 29:4). The potentially disturbing thing for believers is that three times the book takes a decidedly negative perspective on bribes:
while the remaining two passages seem to encourage their use:
This is an instance where we do well to remember two things: (1) the "general" nature of Proverbs, and (2) the importance of context. Regarding the first point, regular readers should be familiar with the metaphor of Proverbs as "a floodlight, not a spotlight." In other words, the book offers us advice that is usually right...but not always. The proverbs are meant to be understood as if they are right most of the time--but not as immutable truths to be applied always and equally in all situations. Proverbs teaches contextual ethics.
This leads us directly into consideration of the different contexts in these five proverbs. The first three (i.e., those condemning bribery) seem to be focused on condemning those in positions of authority who accept bribes. The latter two proverbs (i.e., those that seem more accepting of bribery) are focused upon the wisdom of offering bribes.
It seems to me that there's a significant difference between acknowledging that something is effective, and affirming that it ought to be effective. I think Proverbs is just giving us straightforward advice: it's a bad idea to start accepting bribes because you're putting someone else in control of you when you do so...on the other hand, it may not be such a bad idea to offer bribes in order to get what you want. Sometimes, the bribe may even be a way of encouraging bad rulers to do good things. It reminds me of a discourse the late Milton Friedman had on the issue of how to clean up Congress.
Greed brings grief to the whole family,but those who hate bribes will live. Prov. 15:27
The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice. Prov. 17:23
A just king gives stability to his nation,but one who demands bribes destroys it. Prov. 29:4
while the remaining two passages seem to encourage their use:
A bribe is like a lucky charm;whoever gives one will prosper! Prov. 17:8
A secret gift calms anger;a bribe under the table pacifies fury. Prov. 21:14
This is an instance where we do well to remember two things: (1) the "general" nature of Proverbs, and (2) the importance of context. Regarding the first point, regular readers should be familiar with the metaphor of Proverbs as "a floodlight, not a spotlight." In other words, the book offers us advice that is usually right...but not always. The proverbs are meant to be understood as if they are right most of the time--but not as immutable truths to be applied always and equally in all situations. Proverbs teaches contextual ethics.
This leads us directly into consideration of the different contexts in these five proverbs. The first three (i.e., those condemning bribery) seem to be focused on condemning those in positions of authority who accept bribes. The latter two proverbs (i.e., those that seem more accepting of bribery) are focused upon the wisdom of offering bribes.
It seems to me that there's a significant difference between acknowledging that something is effective, and affirming that it ought to be effective. I think Proverbs is just giving us straightforward advice: it's a bad idea to start accepting bribes because you're putting someone else in control of you when you do so...on the other hand, it may not be such a bad idea to offer bribes in order to get what you want. Sometimes, the bribe may even be a way of encouraging bad rulers to do good things. It reminds me of a discourse the late Milton Friedman had on the issue of how to clean up Congress.
Monday, October 18, 2010
A Fate Worse Than Singleness
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. (Prov. 21:9)
It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. (Prov. 21:19)
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. (Prov. 25:24)
Obviously, these proverbs speak to the repeated importance of relationships. It’s always struck me as a little surprising that, despite the rising divorce rate and the fact that virtually everyone has either been burned by a toxic relationship or knows a close friend/family member who has, people keep getting married. A negative secularist view might say this is because we’re all stupid, or the oppressive power of religious taboo is so powerful it continues to exert the pressure to marry, or some such rot.
I rather think it’s because most people simply crave healthy relationships—even if we don’t know how to recognize them. Even if we’re the ones responsible for making relationships toxic, that doesn’t diminish our desire to have someone who will love, affirm, and accept us in spite of who we are.
Such a desperate longing for love can be inspiring, but without at least a modicum of cool rationality such desperation can lead to terribly tragic decisions. When I was younger and experiencing some of those consequences, a good friend told me, “You know, there are worse things in life than being single…like being married to the wrong person, for example.”
The watchword Proverbs would give us for today is: discretion. Look before you leap. If you think you love someone, take the time to be certain you’re loving with your mind as well as your heart. Contrary to popular belief, covenants (such as marriage) that are lightly entered into cannot be exited without serious long-term consequences. Remember, there are worse things than being single.
It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. (Prov. 21:19)
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. (Prov. 25:24)
Obviously, these proverbs speak to the repeated importance of relationships. It’s always struck me as a little surprising that, despite the rising divorce rate and the fact that virtually everyone has either been burned by a toxic relationship or knows a close friend/family member who has, people keep getting married. A negative secularist view might say this is because we’re all stupid, or the oppressive power of religious taboo is so powerful it continues to exert the pressure to marry, or some such rot.
I rather think it’s because most people simply crave healthy relationships—even if we don’t know how to recognize them. Even if we’re the ones responsible for making relationships toxic, that doesn’t diminish our desire to have someone who will love, affirm, and accept us in spite of who we are.
Such a desperate longing for love can be inspiring, but without at least a modicum of cool rationality such desperation can lead to terribly tragic decisions. When I was younger and experiencing some of those consequences, a good friend told me, “You know, there are worse things in life than being single…like being married to the wrong person, for example.”
The watchword Proverbs would give us for today is: discretion. Look before you leap. If you think you love someone, take the time to be certain you’re loving with your mind as well as your heart. Contrary to popular belief, covenants (such as marriage) that are lightly entered into cannot be exited without serious long-term consequences. Remember, there are worse things than being single.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Proverbs: Words to Live By: Chapters 16-20
Marriage and Family
Prov. 17:6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
Prov. 17:21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
Prov. 17:25 Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
Prov. 18:22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.
Prov. 19:13 A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.
Prov. 19:14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.
Prov. 19:18 Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
Prov. 19:26 Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.
Prov. 20:11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
Prov. 20:20 If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.
· What is the Bible (particularly, the OT) perspective on how to deal with those who bring grief to the family? Do you think this is still valid?
· The New Testament often speaks of the church as a “family.” In what ways do the family principles of Proverbs apply to the church?
Chapter 16
Prov. 16:26 It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
· What do you think of this? Does it sound cruel?
· In what ways has life given you an “empty stomach”?
Prov. 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
· Why?
Chapter 17
Prov. 17:8 A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
· So…is God saying we should bribe people? [see also: Prov. 17:23 and 18:16]
· What are some ways in which we “bribe” people today…but may not think of it as wrong or as bribery?
Prov. 17:19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.
· What do the first and second parts of this proverb have to do with each other?
Chapter 18
Prov. 18:17 The first to speak in courts sounds right—until the cross-examination begins.
· What lesson are you supposed to get from this?
Prov. 18:18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
· What do you think is the main point of this proverb?
Chapter 19
Prov. 19:2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.
· How is this relevant to you?
Prov. 19:3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.
· How does this fit with what we read in 16:3?
Chapter 20
Prov. 20:4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.
· Notice, it’s not enough simply to be willing to plow…you have to plow in the right season.
· How might that idea relate to our lives?
Prov. 20:21 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
· Are there any biblical examples? (Prodigal Son – Lk. 15:11-32)
Prov. 20:28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.
· What is the real basis of authority?
· What is it that makes God, “God”?
Prov. 17:6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
Prov. 17:21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
Prov. 17:25 Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
Prov. 18:22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.
Prov. 19:13 A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.
Prov. 19:14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.
Prov. 19:18 Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
Prov. 19:26 Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.
Prov. 20:11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
Prov. 20:20 If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.
· What is the Bible (particularly, the OT) perspective on how to deal with those who bring grief to the family? Do you think this is still valid?
· The New Testament often speaks of the church as a “family.” In what ways do the family principles of Proverbs apply to the church?
Chapter 16
Prov. 16:26 It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
· What do you think of this? Does it sound cruel?
· In what ways has life given you an “empty stomach”?
Prov. 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
· Why?
Chapter 17
Prov. 17:8 A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
· So…is God saying we should bribe people? [see also: Prov. 17:23 and 18:16]
· What are some ways in which we “bribe” people today…but may not think of it as wrong or as bribery?
Prov. 17:19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.
· What do the first and second parts of this proverb have to do with each other?
Chapter 18
Prov. 18:17 The first to speak in courts sounds right—until the cross-examination begins.
· What lesson are you supposed to get from this?
Prov. 18:18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
· What do you think is the main point of this proverb?
Chapter 19
Prov. 19:2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.
· How is this relevant to you?
Prov. 19:3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.
· How does this fit with what we read in 16:3?
Chapter 20
Prov. 20:4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.
· Notice, it’s not enough simply to be willing to plow…you have to plow in the right season.
· How might that idea relate to our lives?
Prov. 20:21 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.
· Are there any biblical examples? (Prodigal Son – Lk. 15:11-32)
Prov. 20:28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.
· What is the real basis of authority?
· What is it that makes God, “God”?
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Proverbs: Words to Live By: Chapters 11-15
Review
If you boil Proverbs down to two choices, what would you say they are?
What does it mean to describe Proverbs as “a floodlight” rather than “a spotlight”?
Speech
Prov. 10:19-21; 11:9, 12-13; 12:6, 26; 13:2-3; 17:27-28; 18:4, 20; 20:15
What light does James 1:26; 3:1-12 shed on the topic of speech?
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)
How would you summarize Proverbs’ teaching/perspective on wise words?
Do you think that our society respects the power of words? Why or why not?
Wealth & Work
Prov. 11:4, 15, 18, 24, 28; 12:11, 14, 24; 13:4, 7-8, 11, 22-23; 14:20, 23-24, 31; 15:16, 27; 16:8; 17:1; 18:9, 11; 19:4, 15, 17, 24; 20:13
How would you sum up Proverbs’ teaching on wealth? Is it a gift from God, or the result of your own hard labor? Is wealth good or bad?
Chapter 13
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Prov. 13:20 [see also Prov. 14:7]
· How is this relevant to your life?
Chapter 14
Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. Prov. 14:4
· What does that mean?
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Prov. 14:10
· What does this mean?
· Why would it be important for people to remember this?
Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Prov. 14:13
· Why do you think God wants us to face this reality?
Chapter 15
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but He delights in the prayers of the upright. Prov. 15:8
· What’s the difference between sacrifice and prayer?
· How is this relevant today?
If you boil Proverbs down to two choices, what would you say they are?
What does it mean to describe Proverbs as “a floodlight” rather than “a spotlight”?
Speech
Prov. 10:19-21; 11:9, 12-13; 12:6, 26; 13:2-3; 17:27-28; 18:4, 20; 20:15
What light does James 1:26; 3:1-12 shed on the topic of speech?
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)
How would you summarize Proverbs’ teaching/perspective on wise words?
Do you think that our society respects the power of words? Why or why not?
Wealth & Work
Prov. 11:4, 15, 18, 24, 28; 12:11, 14, 24; 13:4, 7-8, 11, 22-23; 14:20, 23-24, 31; 15:16, 27; 16:8; 17:1; 18:9, 11; 19:4, 15, 17, 24; 20:13
How would you sum up Proverbs’ teaching on wealth? Is it a gift from God, or the result of your own hard labor? Is wealth good or bad?
Chapter 13
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Prov. 13:20 [see also Prov. 14:7]
· How is this relevant to your life?
Chapter 14
Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. Prov. 14:4
· What does that mean?
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Prov. 14:10
· What does this mean?
· Why would it be important for people to remember this?
Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Prov. 14:13
· Why do you think God wants us to face this reality?
Chapter 15
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but He delights in the prayers of the upright. Prov. 15:8
· What’s the difference between sacrifice and prayer?
· How is this relevant today?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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)
Good article on bestiaries
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?
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)
Good article on bestiaries
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?
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Proverbs: Words to Live By: Chapters 1 - 5
Proverbs: Words to Live By
Review
What do you remember from last week?
Did anything in the first five chapters seem especially important/puzzling to you?
Chapter One
1:1-7 The book’s introduction talks about giving insight to “the simple” (1:4). What does that word mean? Who are “the simple”?
No one believes they’re simple. We hear “stupid” when we read this passage. Maybe this is so difficult because we’ve been trained to take pride in our knowledge…or competence…our doctrinal purity. Strangely enough, it seems to me that many Christians are much more comfortable admitting moral failings than intellectual ones. It’s acceptable to say, “I am a sinner,” but not to say “I am simple…I don’t understand…I don’t know what I’m doing.” Perhaps we need a bit more breaking of the will.
1:8-19 What is the format for this passage? In other words, who is speaking to whom?
The passion and desperation of the father’s pleading with his son comes through…if you let it. Why is he so desperate? Why such anxiety for his son to heed? Because of death…both the death that may cut short the son’s life through folly (2:17-19) and the fear that death may steal the father and mother away before the son decides to start listening. What a tragedy should he fail to heed their counsel while living. Once dead, he will have access to it no longer—regardless of how repentant and curious he may be. This is the wisdom of the Latin proverb: Carpe diem! (Seize the day!) or the American: Strike while the iron is hot. Opportunities are not eternal. They have lifespans just like us, and can be cut off just as quickly and unexpectedly.
It’s ironic that the very ones who wish to “lie in wait and ambush the innocent” (1:11) out of greed promise to live communally among themselves once the deed is done (i.e., “we’ll all share the loot” 1:14). Maybe this is just what they tell people gullible enough to believe the wicked can be trusted?
1:20-33 Why do you think Wisdom’s words are so…blunt? Is this the way you expect God to speak to people?
Chapter Two
2:1-6 Why does the father think acquiring wisdom is so important?
2:3-4 What significance might these verses have for our discussion last week about “the fear of the LORD”?
2:10 What does the passage suggest is a result of acquiring wisdom? (see also 3:13)
2:11 What does it mean to say, “wise choices will watch over you?”
Perhaps it suggests that wise decisions made early will pay long-term dividends.
2:20 instructs us to follow the steps of good men. Why use this phrase? Why not say, “follow the instructions (or teachings) of wise men”?
The word mentor comes to us from the story the Odyssey. In it, the hero Odysseus is about to take off on a long voyage so he leave his son in the care of a trusted older friend named “Mentor.” In recent years, “mentoring” has become the rage in business and education. People are realizing the importance of people…of copying behaviors to good development. Have you ever seen, for example, a father and son who walk exactly alike…but they don’t realize it? See, much of what we learn is “caught not taught.” We just absorb it from our surroundings. That’s why Jesus wanted His apostles to live with Him and walk with Him for three years. He was trying to teach using more than words. He wanted to teach using life as well.
Chapter Three
Proverbs talks a lot about wisdom being stored in the heart (3:1; 4:4, 21, 23, et al.) Why do you think that is?
3:5 How important is faith to the development of wisdom?
A long time ago, a guy named Augustine said: Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. What do you think he meant? Is he saying that irrational belief is good? NO! Augustine meant that faith is necessary because it gives us the lens through which we look at everything else and understand it. He felt that trying to understand life without the right faith would be like trying to put a 10,000 piece jigsaw puzzle together with no picture to look at—you won’t know what the point is…what you’re trying to “create”! A good historical example was Galileo’s theory of the heliocentric universe. Everyone was “sure” that the earth was center of everything. They produced text books that taught that and “proved” the same. The problem was, when you really started crunching the numbers it never worked. Finally, Galileo had the breakthrough to realize the numbers weren’t working because the big picture was wrong. They were trying to construct the wrong puzzle with the pieces they had.
What is a paradox? Is the recognition of paradox important in acquiring wisdom? Why or why not?
How about 3:9-10? Does this make “common sense”—if you want to get more stuff, give the first and the best of your stuff away!? What do you think this means? (See also, Matt. 19:16-30)
3:14-20 Is wisdom really better than gold, silver, jewels, etc.? If so, how?
On some level, wisdom is a basic building block of Creation. God laid it into the foundation of everything around you. Therefore, when you get wisdom…you “get” life.
3:27-32 What does any of this Good Samaritan stuff (3:27-28) have to do with developing wisdom?
What is “violence”? Why would people have a problem envying the violent? (3:31)
Perhaps because the violent get results…and they get them fast. The path of violence frequently allows us to preserve one of our most precious possessions—our pride.
Chapter Four
Why is getting wisdom the wisest thing you can do (4:7)?
What does 4:18 mean? How are the righteous like the development of the day?
4:24 Why is God so concerned about us maintaining pure speech?
It goes back to the idea of the power of words. God spoke Creation into existence. Sadly, we live in a day when the words someone writes about another person on Facebook can cause them to commit suicide.
How much of what I say in any given day would qualify as “perverse and corrupt speech”?
Chapter Five
5:1-2 Notice the progression: watch…listen…learn…THEN, speak.
The “immoral woman” isn’t necessarily a woman. She represents anyone or anything that tempts people into the foolish path of self-destruction. Quite frequently, the immoral woman may not think of herself as “immoral” at all…merely misunderstood. Never forget that we humans have a truly breath-taking capacity for self-deception.
Review
What do you remember from last week?
Did anything in the first five chapters seem especially important/puzzling to you?
Chapter One
1:1-7 The book’s introduction talks about giving insight to “the simple” (1:4). What does that word mean? Who are “the simple”?
No one believes they’re simple. We hear “stupid” when we read this passage. Maybe this is so difficult because we’ve been trained to take pride in our knowledge…or competence…our doctrinal purity. Strangely enough, it seems to me that many Christians are much more comfortable admitting moral failings than intellectual ones. It’s acceptable to say, “I am a sinner,” but not to say “I am simple…I don’t understand…I don’t know what I’m doing.” Perhaps we need a bit more breaking of the will.
1:8-19 What is the format for this passage? In other words, who is speaking to whom?
The passion and desperation of the father’s pleading with his son comes through…if you let it. Why is he so desperate? Why such anxiety for his son to heed? Because of death…both the death that may cut short the son’s life through folly (2:17-19) and the fear that death may steal the father and mother away before the son decides to start listening. What a tragedy should he fail to heed their counsel while living. Once dead, he will have access to it no longer—regardless of how repentant and curious he may be. This is the wisdom of the Latin proverb: Carpe diem! (Seize the day!) or the American: Strike while the iron is hot. Opportunities are not eternal. They have lifespans just like us, and can be cut off just as quickly and unexpectedly.
It’s ironic that the very ones who wish to “lie in wait and ambush the innocent” (1:11) out of greed promise to live communally among themselves once the deed is done (i.e., “we’ll all share the loot” 1:14). Maybe this is just what they tell people gullible enough to believe the wicked can be trusted?
1:20-33 Why do you think Wisdom’s words are so…blunt? Is this the way you expect God to speak to people?
Chapter Two
2:1-6 Why does the father think acquiring wisdom is so important?
2:3-4 What significance might these verses have for our discussion last week about “the fear of the LORD”?
2:10 What does the passage suggest is a result of acquiring wisdom? (see also 3:13)
2:11 What does it mean to say, “wise choices will watch over you?”
Perhaps it suggests that wise decisions made early will pay long-term dividends.
2:20 instructs us to follow the steps of good men. Why use this phrase? Why not say, “follow the instructions (or teachings) of wise men”?
The word mentor comes to us from the story the Odyssey. In it, the hero Odysseus is about to take off on a long voyage so he leave his son in the care of a trusted older friend named “Mentor.” In recent years, “mentoring” has become the rage in business and education. People are realizing the importance of people…of copying behaviors to good development. Have you ever seen, for example, a father and son who walk exactly alike…but they don’t realize it? See, much of what we learn is “caught not taught.” We just absorb it from our surroundings. That’s why Jesus wanted His apostles to live with Him and walk with Him for three years. He was trying to teach using more than words. He wanted to teach using life as well.
Chapter Three
Proverbs talks a lot about wisdom being stored in the heart (3:1; 4:4, 21, 23, et al.) Why do you think that is?
3:5 How important is faith to the development of wisdom?
A long time ago, a guy named Augustine said: Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. What do you think he meant? Is he saying that irrational belief is good? NO! Augustine meant that faith is necessary because it gives us the lens through which we look at everything else and understand it. He felt that trying to understand life without the right faith would be like trying to put a 10,000 piece jigsaw puzzle together with no picture to look at—you won’t know what the point is…what you’re trying to “create”! A good historical example was Galileo’s theory of the heliocentric universe. Everyone was “sure” that the earth was center of everything. They produced text books that taught that and “proved” the same. The problem was, when you really started crunching the numbers it never worked. Finally, Galileo had the breakthrough to realize the numbers weren’t working because the big picture was wrong. They were trying to construct the wrong puzzle with the pieces they had.
What is a paradox? Is the recognition of paradox important in acquiring wisdom? Why or why not?
How about 3:9-10? Does this make “common sense”—if you want to get more stuff, give the first and the best of your stuff away!? What do you think this means? (See also, Matt. 19:16-30)
3:14-20 Is wisdom really better than gold, silver, jewels, etc.? If so, how?
On some level, wisdom is a basic building block of Creation. God laid it into the foundation of everything around you. Therefore, when you get wisdom…you “get” life.
3:27-32 What does any of this Good Samaritan stuff (3:27-28) have to do with developing wisdom?
What is “violence”? Why would people have a problem envying the violent? (3:31)
Perhaps because the violent get results…and they get them fast. The path of violence frequently allows us to preserve one of our most precious possessions—our pride.
Chapter Four
Why is getting wisdom the wisest thing you can do (4:7)?
What does 4:18 mean? How are the righteous like the development of the day?
4:24 Why is God so concerned about us maintaining pure speech?
It goes back to the idea of the power of words. God spoke Creation into existence. Sadly, we live in a day when the words someone writes about another person on Facebook can cause them to commit suicide.
How much of what I say in any given day would qualify as “perverse and corrupt speech”?
Chapter Five
5:1-2 Notice the progression: watch…listen…learn…THEN, speak.
The “immoral woman” isn’t necessarily a woman. She represents anyone or anything that tempts people into the foolish path of self-destruction. Quite frequently, the immoral woman may not think of herself as “immoral” at all…merely misunderstood. Never forget that we humans have a truly breath-taking capacity for self-deception.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Proverbs: Words to Live By: introductory notes
In an effort to simplify life and keep some fresh content on this blog, I'm going to begin posting material from the college class I'm teaching on the book of Proverbs This material was originally written for a teenage audience when I worked as a youth minister, but I'm attempting to revise and update it to make it more applicable to a college crowd. What you will have access to here are the revised lessons. I hope they can be a blessing to you.
Proverbs: Words to Live By
Introduction:
Proverbs is one of the “Wisdom Books” Some scholars feel that Proverbs was originally written as a textbook for young men who were being trained to work in the royal court of Israel. If this view is right (and I tend to believe it is) then these words were originally meant to teach young people how to make their way in the world with the minimum amount of trouble and the maximum amount of blessing
Wisdom Books are a little different from the rest of the Bible. They tend to be very “general.”
Ø Not much about things specific to Jews (e.g., Law, Covenant, etc.)
Ø Mostly about the everyday stuff of life (e.g., money, marriage, raising kids, getting along at your job, etc.)
Ø “Proverbs is a floodlight, not a spotlight.” What does this expression mean? Important to recognize that because it’s “general wisdom” the things Proverbs says are usually—but not always—true. (e.g., 22:6; 26:4-5)
A Note on Biblical “Wisdom”
What does the word “wisdom” mean to you? How do you know if someone is “wise” or not?
What if I had you read a book on mechanical engineering and then handed you a live bomb and said “Okay, this thing is on a five minute countdown. You’ve got all the necessary information…deactivate the bomb before it blows up.” How would you feel…confident or terrified?
This example helps explain what “wisdom” means in the Bible. It’s not the same thing as knowledge, intellect, or “book smarts.” When Proverbs talks about “wisdom,” it’s translating the Hebrew word – hokmah.
Exodus 31:1-6 talks about two men—Oholiab and Bezalel—who are supposed to help make stuff for the tabernacle. Though most English Bibles translate God as saying: “I have given skill to Oholiab to make….” He actually says He has given them hokmah.
This illustrates that when Proverbs speaks of acquiring “wisdom” it is talking about more than just intellectual knowledge. It’s about learning the necessary skills to live life well.
It’s my observation that all skills take time to develop. These are things you have to learn by doing. You can read a book on football fundamentals, but you probably won’t understand how to break down and make a tackle, block, etc. until you get out on the field and start getting knocked around a bit. It’s the same way with developing the skills for life.
Generally-speaking, life skills come with age. That’s why the Wisdom Books (and the Bible-in-general) has so much to say about respecting people who are older than you.
You’ll notice there is a poetic flair to Proverbs. One of the most important is the way it stylizes women. Most people see Proverbs as laying out a theology of the “two ways” (i.e., the way of wisdom and the way of folly) Throughout the book these two ways are represented by women. Wisdom is personified as a woman who will be a faithful spouse and good mother…one who will take care of you and bless your life. Often, scholars refer to this character as “Dame Wisdom.” The other woman of Proverbs is often referred to as “Madame Folly.” The Madame Folly character is usually depicted as an adulteress or a prostitute in Proverbs. Why do you think Proverbs might use women to personify these two ways?
Proverbs: Words to Live By
Introduction:
Proverbs is one of the “Wisdom Books” Some scholars feel that Proverbs was originally written as a textbook for young men who were being trained to work in the royal court of Israel. If this view is right (and I tend to believe it is) then these words were originally meant to teach young people how to make their way in the world with the minimum amount of trouble and the maximum amount of blessing
Wisdom Books are a little different from the rest of the Bible. They tend to be very “general.”
Ø Not much about things specific to Jews (e.g., Law, Covenant, etc.)
Ø Mostly about the everyday stuff of life (e.g., money, marriage, raising kids, getting along at your job, etc.)
Ø “Proverbs is a floodlight, not a spotlight.” What does this expression mean? Important to recognize that because it’s “general wisdom” the things Proverbs says are usually—but not always—true. (e.g., 22:6; 26:4-5)
A Note on Biblical “Wisdom”
What does the word “wisdom” mean to you? How do you know if someone is “wise” or not?
What if I had you read a book on mechanical engineering and then handed you a live bomb and said “Okay, this thing is on a five minute countdown. You’ve got all the necessary information…deactivate the bomb before it blows up.” How would you feel…confident or terrified?
This example helps explain what “wisdom” means in the Bible. It’s not the same thing as knowledge, intellect, or “book smarts.” When Proverbs talks about “wisdom,” it’s translating the Hebrew word – hokmah.
Exodus 31:1-6 talks about two men—Oholiab and Bezalel—who are supposed to help make stuff for the tabernacle. Though most English Bibles translate God as saying: “I have given skill to Oholiab to make….” He actually says He has given them hokmah.
This illustrates that when Proverbs speaks of acquiring “wisdom” it is talking about more than just intellectual knowledge. It’s about learning the necessary skills to live life well.
It’s my observation that all skills take time to develop. These are things you have to learn by doing. You can read a book on football fundamentals, but you probably won’t understand how to break down and make a tackle, block, etc. until you get out on the field and start getting knocked around a bit. It’s the same way with developing the skills for life.
Generally-speaking, life skills come with age. That’s why the Wisdom Books (and the Bible-in-general) has so much to say about respecting people who are older than you.
You’ll notice there is a poetic flair to Proverbs. One of the most important is the way it stylizes women. Most people see Proverbs as laying out a theology of the “two ways” (i.e., the way of wisdom and the way of folly) Throughout the book these two ways are represented by women. Wisdom is personified as a woman who will be a faithful spouse and good mother…one who will take care of you and bless your life. Often, scholars refer to this character as “Dame Wisdom.” The other woman of Proverbs is often referred to as “Madame Folly.” The Madame Folly character is usually depicted as an adulteress or a prostitute in Proverbs. Why do you think Proverbs might use women to personify these two ways?
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