Proverbs for Today: “Even a Fifth Grader Could Understand”

Copyright © 2013 J. Rogers Earnhardt

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-7262-8 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7261-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7260-4 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012922034

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/21/2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN MEMORY OF

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

DEDICATION

PREFACE

FOREWORD

IMPORTANT FACTS

ARCHITECTURAL PLAN

SIGNIFCANT THEMES

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IN MEMORY OF

Sylvia Collier

December 13, 1938 – June 28, 2011

Proverbs 31:21

She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and her tongue is the law of kindness.

When she spoke it was with gentle wisdom and kindness. She was wise and intelligent and highly cultured in mind and manner. She was graceful and even-tempered in all her ways. There are few women who are not lords over their husbands, tyrants over their children and haughty toward their neighbors. She was always generous to the poor and needy. She was an excellent example of a meek and quite spirit.

Sylvia was a dear friend and the wife of Joe A. Collier, my best friend.

Sylvia gets my vote as a virtuous woman.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, to God, who inspired and allowed me to put this book together. To Jesus who put the teaching of King Solomon into practice in His ministry. And to the Holy Spirit who whispered sweet nuggets of information in my thoughts.

Secondly, to my children, Christopher Darren Earnhardt and Kimberly Paige Earnhardt-Lee who encouraged me to complete this book.

Thirdly, to everyone who had a part in helping me in compiling this book.

Pastor Terrill L. Pearson, who made the suggestion to have the manuscript published. He gave sound advice on several occasions and he wrote the preface to this book.

Joe A. Collier is the best friend in the world a person could ever have.

Judy Courtney Johns who is like a sister to me and is my prayer partner (an awesome prayer warrior). She edited each word and sentence and corrected my spelling, like she did for me in college. She is my editor-in-chief of this book.

Tonya Reel, who with her help and contribution of graphics technology. She exemplifies the Christian way of life with her untiring care and help for others.

Mike R. Brown, who is my computer expert and my technical advisor. He also designed both the front and back covers.

Friends who contributed were, Francis and Everett Brazeal, Elaine and Tommy Carroll, Jackie and Al Godwin, Paula and Keith Parker, Janet and John Lampson.

Without everyone’s help this book would have never been possible.

With deep appreciation and gratitude, I want to thank each one individually and collectively for your inspiration, encouragement, and support.

DEDICATION

This book is affectionately dedicated to my Heavenly Father.

PREFACE

If the essence of the Bible could be captured in any one book, it would be plain to see that the Book of Proverbs would be that book.

Proverbs for Today captures the mystery of the wisdom of God and cajoles the folly of man. This marvelous, intriguing book explores the depth of knowledge given by God to man and reveals the path of divine instruction. This book is a treasure to the wise man and a millstone to the foolish.

It is life and length of day to the pursuer and it is a shadow or a whisk of vapor to the scoffer. It is a testament of wisdom’s words and it is an indictment against the foolish.

Read this book with anticipation and expectancy and you will discover a treasure more valuable than rubies, gold or silver. Weigh its words on the scale of life and you will find the greatest rewards of all for today and in the life to come. Enjoy the journey!

Pastor Terrill L. Pearson

FOREWORD

When this author/researcher first started the study of Proverbs, it was for my own knowledge and understanding. However; as time went along I came to realize it could be used as a study guide to edify others. The King James Version of the Word is hard for the average person to understand. It’s written on a twelfth grade level in Old Elizabethan/ Shakespearean English. As you read these words, the world is communicating on a fifth grade level.

In offering this research to others, I entertain hope that it may be found useful.

The work of the modern Christian is varied and exacting. Therefore, it is to be supposed that anything that will contribute to their success and the better performance of their many duties, as a Christian, should receive a warm welcome.

This author does not claim that this work is perfect, but believes that it may prove helpful and suggestive to all people, especially the young person just entering the outside world.

The Holy Spirit encouraged me to prepare the research of Proverbs for over thirteen years. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the inspiration, perseverance, and tenacity to complete this undertaking.

It is tempting to take all the credit for the things that happen to us, whether we view them as good or bad. But another is at work in our lives! If we are children of our heavenly Father, every thing that takes place in our days proceeds through His office and is marked approved. Although, He doesn’t necessarily cause everything that happens, He certainly allows it. And His promise is this: to be with us in every circumstance, providing comfort, care, knowledge, wisdom and strength to endure every trial. He is our Lord to rely on.

The progress of our spiritual growth is not a matter of our own initiative and designing; it is under the control and direction of God who has begun good work in us and will work patiently to perfect it until the day of Christ.

(Richard F. Lovelace)

In the 915 verses and 560 proverbs are many extremely practical precepts for a prudent and profitable life. They are almost equally apportioned between prohibitions and exhortations. Prudence is a synonym for wisdom, meaning skill in living life as the Creator designed it. Success in living can be found packaged in the distilled capsules of Proverbs.

(Terry Hill)

"Alphabet letters, vowels, and consonants, formed into words, sentences, paragraphs, and books; spoken, lectured, signed, whispered, are written and printed. From friendly advice to impassioned speeches and from dusty volumes to daily tabloids, messages are sent and received with each sender trying to impart knowledge and wisdom. With the advent of the computer, we are in the TECHNOLOGICAL ERA; internet, e-mail, facebook, cell phones, etc., communications of knowledge and wisdom is now worldwide."

Woven into human fabric is the desire to learn and understand. Our minds set us apart from animals, and we analyze, conceptualize, theorize, discuss, and debate everything from science to the supernatural. And we build schools, institutes, and universities where learned professors can teach us about the world and about life.

Knowledge is good, but there is a vast difference between knowledge (having the facts) and wisdom (applying those facts to life). We may amass knowledge, but without wisdom, our knowledge is useless. We must learn how to live out what we know.

The wisest man, who lived, King Solomon left us a legacy of written wisdom in three volumes; Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. In these books, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gives practical insights and guidelines for life.

In the first of these three volumes, Solomon passes on his practical advice in the form of proverbs. The word proverb comes from a Hebrew word that means to rule or to govern, and these sayings, reminders, and admonitions provide advice for governing our lives. A proverb is a short, concise sentence that conveys moral truth. The book of Proverbs is a collection of these wise statements. The main theme of Proverbs, as we might expect, is the nature of true wisdom. Solomon writes. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. He then proceeds to give hundreds (915 verses and 560 proverbs) of practical examples of how to live according to godly wisdom.

Proverbs covers a wide range of topics, including youth and discipline, family life, self-control and resisting temptation, business matters, words and tongue, knowing God, marriage, seeking the truth, wealth and poverty, immorality, and, of course, wisdom. These proverbs are short poems, containing a Holy mixture of common sense and timely warnings. Although they are not meant to teach doctrine, a person who follows their advice will walk more closely with God.

Understanding proverbs: Most often, proverbs are written in the form of couplets.

These are constructed in three ways. (1) Contrasting: meaning and application come from the differences or contrast between the two statements of the proverb. Key word; "but". (2) Comparing: meaning and application come from the similarities or comparison between the two statements of the proverb. Key words; "as/so, better/than". (3) Complementing: meaning and application come from the way the second statement complements the first. Key word "and".

Letter for letter, word for word, punctuation for punctuation taken from the King James Version of the Bible. In [brackets] are what this author/researcher compiled from other sources and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Chapters 1 through 9 are wisdom verses; foolishness, poems and monologues. Literature from two schools, (Hillel and Shammal) sent to young people about to go out into the world. Hillel and Shammal have produced more scholars than any other school in the ancient world. Almost every nation under the sun patronized these schools.

Chapters 10 through 31, mostly proverbs. Their enrollment in God’s school of wisdom to learn prudence.

It is not my intentions to change a single Holy word of God by adding to or subtracting from it. Only to clarify it, so the average person that reads this material can more readily understand it.

As you read Proverbs, understand that knowing God is the key to wisdom. Listen to the thoughts and lessons from the world’s wisest, man, and apply these truths to your life. Don’t just read these proverbs; act on them!

IMPORTANT FACTS

Purpose:

To teach people how to attain wisdom and discipline and a prudent life, and how to do what is right and just and fair, in short, to apply divine wisdom to daily life and to provide moral instruction.

Authors:

King Solomon wrote most of the Book of Proverbs. Although Solomon was the main writer of this book, other authors wrote some proverbs, and some of Solomon’s proverbs were not added to the book until after his death on April 13, 922 B.C. Moreover, it is not clear whether Solomon wrote the first nine chapters or someone else as an introduction to the book may have contributed them. A group of assistants (more about the men of Hezekiah in the summary) to King Hezekiah compiled and added the proverbs of Solomon contained in chapters 25-29. The Book of Proverbs as we know it may well have been completed during Hezekiah’s time (who reigned about 729-699 B.C.), but we cannot be certain. Agur wrote Chapter 30. Contributing to some of the later sections, King Lemuel and his mother wrote Chapter 31.

Date Written:

King Solomon wrote and compiled most of these proverbs early in his reign. 970-960 BC. Three thousand years ago when he wrote the Book of Proverbs, it was primarily an agricultural and animal husbandry era. His writings are of the language of his time. Proverbs was first written in Hebrew, next in Arabic, then in Greek and Latin and other languages of the world. In the years of 1606-1611 it was translated into English, The Authorized Version, we know it today as The King James Version. With each translation the true meanings of the Hebrew words were changed (lost) to accommodate our language and interruption.

Setting:

This is a book of wise sayings, a textbook for teaching people how to live godly through the repetition of wise thoughts.

Key Verse:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Special Features:

The book uses varied literary forms: poems, brief parables, pointed questions, and couplets. Other literary devices include contrast, comparison, and personification.

ARCHITECTURAL PLAN

Wisdom For Young People

(1:1 – 9:18)

King Solomon instructed the young people of his day like a father giving advice to his child. While many of these proverbs are directed toward young people, the principles supporting them are helpful to all believers, male and female, young and old. Anyone beginning their journey to discover more of the wisdom will benefit greatly from these wise sayings.

Wisdom For All People

(10:1 –24:34)

King Solomon wanted to impart wisdom to all people, regardless of their age, sex, or position in society. These short, wise sayings give us practical wisdom for daily living. We should study them diligently and integrate them into our life.

Wisdom For The Leaders

(25:1 – 31:31)

In addition to the proverbs that King Solomon collected, the men of Hezekiah collected many proverbs that Solomon and others wrote. While most of these are general in nature, many are directed specifically to the king and those who dealt with the king. These are particularly useful for those who are leaders or aspire to be leaders.

SIGNIFCANT THEMES

Wisdom

Explanation

God wants his people to be wise. Two kinds of people portray two contrasting paths of life. The fool is the evil, wicked, stubborn and lazy person who hates or ignores God. The wise person seeks to know and love God.

Importance

When we choose God’s way, he grants us wisdom. His Word, the Bible, leads us to live rightly, have right relationships, and make right decisions.

Relationships

Explanation

Proverbs gives us advice for developing our personal relationships with friends, family members, and co-workers. In every relationship, we must show love, dedication, and high moral standards.

Importance

To relate to people, we need consistency, tact, and discipline to use the wisdom God gives us. If we don’t treat others according to the wisdom God gives, our relationships will suffer.

Speech

Explanation

What we say shows our real attitude toward others. How we talk reveals what we’re really like. Our speech is a test of how wise we have become.

Importance

To be wise in our speech we need to use self-control. Our words should be honest and well chosen.

Work

Explanation

God controls the final outcome of all we do. We are accountable to carry out our work with diligence and discipline, not laziness.

Importance

Because God evaluates how we live, we should work purposefully. We must never be lax or self-satisfied in using our skills.

Success

Explanation

Although people work hard for money and fame, God views success as having a good reputation, moral character, and the spiritual devotion to obey him.

Importance

A successful relationship with God counts for eternity. Everything else is perishable. All our resources, time, and talents come from God. We should strive to use them wisely.

SOLOMON TEACHING PROVERBS

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

Proverbs 1:3.

WISDOM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

 (1:1 – 9:18) 

Proverbs begins with a clear statement of its purpose; to impart wisdom for godly living. The first few chapters are King Solomon’s fatherly advice to young people. Although most of the material in this section is directed toward young people, all who seek wisdom will greatly benefit from these wise words. This is where one can discover the source of wisdom, the value of wisdom, and the benefits of wisdom. Sections one and two were written by King Solomon the last two sections were written by other authors.

CHAPTER

1

The Value of Proverbs

1. The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel.

[What the book of Psalms is to prayer and devotional life, the book of Proverbs is to everyday life. Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living. This book is not just a collection of homey saying: it contains deep spiritual insights drawn from experience. A proverb is a short, wise, easy-to-learn saying that calls a person to action. It doesn’t argue about basic spiritual and moral beliefs; it assumes we already hold them. The book of Proverbs focuses on God—His character, works, and blessings—and it tells how we can live in close relationship with Him.

Solomon, the third king of Israel, son of the great King David, reigned during Israel’s golden age. When God said He would give him whatever he wanted, he asked for a discerning heart (1 Kings 3:5-14). God was pleased with this request, and He not only made Solomon wise but gave