AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL
CLASS
OCTOBER 22ND, 2006
INTRODUCTION TO
PROVERBS
I. In verse 1, Solomon introduces himself to the reader. (1)
A.
Solomon is the son of David.
1.
David was a legend in his own time.
2.
David was a warrior-king, and had won many great battles.
3.
David was the King of
B. Solomon is presenting himself as the son
of a legend; the son of a warrior; the son of a king, and the son of THE King
of
1.
David wrote Psalms, while Solomon wrote Proverbs.
2.
David was well known as a fighter, while Solomon was well known as a
builder.
3.
Psalms gives us the impression that David was a man of strong emotions.
4.
Proverbs gives us the impression that Solomon was a man of emotional detachment.
C.
So, the first thing that Solomon wants us to know is that he is the son
of David.
1.
Solomon is NOT David; he is t he son of David.
2.
Solomon is NOT like David in every way - thus the contrast.
3.
Solomon is the King of Israel, and so was David, but God will use each
in a different way, for different reasons.
II. In verses 2-6, Solomon
gives several purposes for the Book of Proverbs.
A.
“To know wisdom and instruction”
(2)
1.
Earthly wisdom is the ability to put into practice what you know mentally.
2.
Godly wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s perspective.
3.
“Instruction” is the explanation of directions.
4.
Proverbs was written for us to KNOW what to do, and to explain the rules
of life found in God’s Word.
B.
“to perceive the words of understanding” (2)
1.
“To perceive” is dependent on your frame of mind.
2.
People perceive problems and solutions differently based on their frames
of mind and experience.
3.
The purpose of Proverbs is to cause us to “perceive” life and God’s Word
from the mind-set of God.
C.
“To receive the instruction of:
(four things) (3)
1.
Wisdom - Looking at life from God’s perspective.
2.
Justice - What’s right for one
is right for all.
3.
Judgment - The final verdict of
God on our lives.
4.
Equity - No partiality
D.
“To give subtilty to the simple”
(4)
1.
The “simple” are those who are unable to make it on their own.
2.
Godly wisdom and instruction will give subtilty (cleverness) to a
simple-minded person.
E.
“To the young man knowledge and discretion” (4)
1. “Knowledge”
is the facts of life.
2.
“Discretion” is weighing things carefully before making a decision.
3.
Godly wisdom causes a young man to see life, and gives him the ability
to deal with it.
Conclusion: We will
continue where we left off next Sunday.