The Book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom given in short verse, mostly written by Solomon who is said to have written over 3000 proverbs (1 Kings 4.32). This book is called “Mishlei Shlomo” in Hebrew or the “Proverbs of Solomon, but there seems to be several other authors (Agur in Proverbs 30 and King Lemuel in Prov 31). This book gives us a clear sense of “cause and effect” in the universe. Bad choices reap negative consequences, and wise decisions lead to prosperity.
However, when all is said and done, it is not quite that simple. Wisdom literature in the Scriptures is made up by the Book of Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon and Proverbs, and it is an interesting blend. Proverbs gives us a clear sense of cause and effect, as we have said. But Ecclesiastes (Kohelet in Hebrew) teaches us that it is not quite that simple. The righteous suffer and die like the wicked, and seasons come and go without regard to peoples choices. The Book of Job turns the Law of Harvest upside down. The righteous experience horrible problems with no visible cause one can point to. No sin or evil actions brought on the calamity. Behind the scenes we know it was Yehovah who decided to let Ha Satan touch Job negatively, and Job never does find out what was really going on. His troubles were the result of a dispute between Yehovah and Ha Satan as to whether the righteous Job would be faithful. We learn that we may never know why certain things happen.
Proverbs is a unique book because it seems to be a collection of thoughts without much context. It is more a concerned with practical wisdom than theology. It seems to be related to other collections of wisdom from other nations that were more secular in thought but carried the same concepts. They are short concepts that teach practical wisdom but should not be considered as “promises” or “laws” as such. They are meant to be remembered, meditated on, but not necessarily applied to every situation. But, its basis is the Torah without actually quoting it.
Interestingly enough, this book is seen as prophetic and Yeshua is revealed as the ultimate wisdom. For example, Prov 29.18 says, Where there is no vision (prophetic, revelation) the people are unrestrained (lawless, Torah-less).” When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off their fetters and the cords of the Torah and the laws of God (Psa 2.3). Solomon will be a picture of Yeshua in his wisdom and we see his titles also belong to Yeshua (Prov 1.1). The Redemption is seen when Proverbs points out that sin causes death, but there is life in the wisdom of God (Yeshua). Yeshua is also seen in Prov 30.4-5 when compared to John 3.5, 8, 13, 16-17.
We will also see the contrast between the “Virtuous Woman (the believer’s of the Kahal who believe in Yeshua and follow the Torah) and the Harlot in this book (an unbeliever who does not believe in Yeshua and/or is without the Torah, or “lawless.”).
So, as we go through this book we will point out concepts concerning the Messiah, the Redemption, and other teachings related to biblical eschatology, as well as practical wisdom. We will take each verse and bring out certain concepts so the reader can understand what is being communicated. Each verse is a nugget in and of itself.
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