What to Expect from the Book of Proverbs

You might say that the Book of Proverbs has a mission statement right at the beginning. Its purpose is declared in the first chapter and a strong sample is demonstrated. We have four areas of consideration in this first chapter.

The Continual Voice of the Proverbs - Available to Man. Proverbs 1:1-4

The Call to Hear, Learn, and Get Wise Counsel. Proverbs 1:5-9

The Competing Voices. Proverbs 1:10-19

The Call of Wisdom to Make the Right Choices. Proverbs 1:20-33

An old quote that is always on the front cover of the Free Grace Broadcaster (published by Chapel Library, Pensacola, Florida) states a purpose for their magazine that well matches the purpose of the Book of Proverbs.

The Continual Voice of Proverbs - Available to Man. Proverbs 1:1-4

These Scriptures are provided, preserved, and promoted by the Spirit of God. They are a continual source for people to search and to feed their soul. What will the Proverbs do for you? They will cause you …

• To know wisdom and instruction. Ignorance is not bliss. It is destructive (Hosea 4:6).


• To perceive / discern the words that give understanding (the application of knowledge and wisdom - Proverbs 19:27; Matthew 7:13-20; II Timothy 2:15).


• To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. The heart must be receptive - loving, agreeing, and bonding with these truths and practices (Psalm 37:30-31; James 1:21; I John 5:3).


• To gain prudence / subtilty (this Hebrew word describes having craft and skill in using or applying the words of righteousness - Matthew 10:16). The Hebrew word for "simple" describes a person that is naïve, gullible, without a sense of moral direction, inclined to do evil. People of all ages need this instruction, but an emphasis on exposing these words to young people is given, here in Proverbs 1:4 (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Psalm 34:11; 119:9, 130; Proverbs 4:1-7; 5:7; 7:6-7, 24; 8:32-33; 22:6, 15; Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13-14; Ephesians 6:4; II Timothy 3:15-17).

The Call to Hear, Learn, and Get Wise Counsel. Proverbs 1:5-9

Proverbs 1:7 is considered the key verse of the whole book.

To search the Proverbs, is to search for something that you can put to use. The wisdom this book provides will yield fruit in your life for the rest of your life. There is no end to its ability to influence you for good. The sayings are called "dark" because they are not fully comprehended the first time we see them. They require scrutiny, as something that has hidden secrets. So don't ever stop consulting this great digest of practical knowledge and wisdom. You would be a fool to do that. These words should be foundational in the work of parents who are training their children. They should be a healthy bond between friends and other close relationships (Proverbs 27:5-6,17; Romans 15:14). Our lives will have a certain grace and beauty about them when we live by the principles of God's word (Proverbs 2:1-9; 3:1-4).