Since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, we must not despise wisdom and instruction.
1. An Introduction to Proverbs
2. The Purpose of Proverbs
“Wisdom is skill, expertise, competence that understands how life really works, how to achieve successful and even beautiful results. We see a picture of wisdom in Exodus 35:31, where the word translated ‘wisdom’ in Proverbs 1:2 is used for the skill of an artist adorning the tabernacle. We see wisdom in Jeremiah 10:9 where the expertise of goldsmiths is called ‘the work of skilled men,’ or wise men. We see wisdom in Psalm 107:27 for the know-how of sailors, who use the winds and tides to make their way through the sea to their destination. Whether craftsmanship working with the materials of life or seamanship steering through the currents of life, so to speak, wisdom understands how real life can work well.” —Ray Orland, Wisdom That Works
3. The Theme of Proverbs
“According to the book of Proverbs, ‘the fear of the Lord’ is a continual (Prov. 23:17), humble, and faithful submission to Yahweh, which compels one to hate evil (Prov. 8:13) and turn away from it (Prov. 16:6) and brings with it rewards better than all earthly treasures (Prov. 15:16)—the rewards of a love for and a knowledge of God (Prov. 1:29; 2:5; 9:10; 15:33), and long life (Prov. 10:27; 14:27a; 19:23a), confidence (Prov. 14:26), satisfaction, and protection” (Prov. 19:23).—Douglas Sean O’Donnell, The Beginning and End of Wisdom