ProverbsProverbs

““If you know the Holy One you have If you know the Holy One you have understanding” (Proverbs 9:10)understanding” (Proverbs 9:10)

““I will give you more wisdom and I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again.’” (1 Kings before or will ever have again.’” (1 Kings 3:12)3:12)

““But if any of you lack wisdom, you should But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and because God gives generously and graciously to all.” (James 1:5) graciously to all.” (James 1:5)

““Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” in favor with God and all the people.” (Luke 2:52 – NLT) (Luke 2:52 – NLT)

Omnipotent? Omniscient? Omnipresent?Omnipotent? Omniscient? Omnipresent?

““Jesus was God’s Son. But by suffering he Jesus was God’s Son. But by suffering he learned what it means to obey. In that way learned what it means to obey. In that way he was made perfect.” (Hebrews 5:8-9 - he was made perfect.” (Hebrews 5:8-9 - NIRV)NIRV)

The wisdom of SolomonThe wisdom of Solomon

Solomon judges 2 women; one childSolomon judges 2 women; one child““The people of Judah and Israel were as The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the grains of sand on the numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore; they ate and drank, and were seashore; they ate and drank, and were happy.” (1 Kings 4:20 – GN) happy.” (1 Kings 4:20 – GN) King Hiram of TyreKing Hiram of Tyre– ““Praise the LORD today for giving David such Praise the LORD today for giving David such

a wise son to succeed him as king of that a wise son to succeed him as king of that great nation!” (1 Kings 5:7 – GN) great nation!” (1 Kings 5:7 – GN)

Building and dedication of the templeBuilding and dedication of the temple– ““When a foreigner who lives in a distant land When a foreigner who lives in a distant land

hears of your fame and of the great things you hears of your fame and of the great things you have done for your people and comes to have done for your people and comes to worship you and to pray at this Temple, listen to worship you and to pray at this Temple, listen to his prayer. In heaven, where you live, hear him his prayer. In heaven, where you live, hear him and do what he asks you to do, and do what he asks you to do, so that all the so that all the peoples of the world may know youpeoples of the world may know you and obey and obey you, as your people Israel do.”(1 Kings 8:41-43)you, as your people Israel do.”(1 Kings 8:41-43)

– ““And so all the nations of the world will know And so all the nations of the world will know that the LORD alone is God---there is no other.” that the LORD alone is God---there is no other.” (1 Kings 8:60)(1 Kings 8:60)

– 7 years to build the temple (13 years to build his 7 years to build the temple (13 years to build his palace)palace)

““The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, and she traveled to Jerusalem to test fame, and she traveled to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions...When she and him with difficult questions...When she and Solomon met, she asked him all the questions Solomon met, she asked him all the questions that she could think of. He answered them all; that she could think of. He answered them all; there was nothing too difficult for him to there was nothing too difficult for him to explain. The queen of Sheba heard Solomon’s explain. The queen of Sheba heard Solomon’s wisdom and saw the palace he had built. She wisdom and saw the palace he had built. She saw the food that was served at his table, the saw the food that was served at his table, the living quarters for his officials, the organization living quarters for his officials, the organization of his palace staff and the uniforms they wore, of his palace staff and the uniforms they wore, the servants who waited on him at feasts, and the servants who waited on him at feasts, and the sacrifices he offered in the Temple. It left the sacrifices he offered in the Temple. It left her breathless and amazed.” her breathless and amazed.”

““She said to King Solomon, ‘What I heard in my She said to King Solomon, ‘What I heard in my own country about you and your wisdom is true! own country about you and your wisdom is true! But I couldn’t believe it until I had come and seen But I couldn’t believe it until I had come and seen it all for myself. But I didn’t hear even half of it; it all for myself. But I didn’t hear even half of it; your wisdom and wealth are much greater than your wisdom and wealth are much greater than what I was told. How fortunate are your wives! what I was told. How fortunate are your wives! And how fortunate your servants, who are always And how fortunate your servants, who are always in your presence and are privileged to hear your in your presence and are privileged to hear your wise sayings! Praise the LORD your God! He wise sayings! Praise the LORD your God! He has shown how pleased he is with you by making has shown how pleased he is with you by making you king of Israel. Because his love for Israel is you king of Israel. Because his love for Israel is eternal, he has made you their king so that you eternal, he has made you their king so that you can maintain law and justice.’” (1 Kings 10:1-9)can maintain law and justice.’” (1 Kings 10:1-9)

““God gave Solomon unusual wisdom and God gave Solomon unusual wisdom and insight, and knowledge too great to be insight, and knowledge too great to be measured. Solomon was wiser than the measured. Solomon was wiser than the wise men of the East or the wise men of wise men of the East or the wise men of Egypt. He was the wisest of all men…and Egypt. He was the wisest of all men…and his fame spread throughout all the his fame spread throughout all the neighboring countries. He composed three neighboring countries. He composed three thousand proverbs and more than a thousand proverbs and more than a thousand songs. He spoke of trees and thousand songs. He spoke of trees and plants, from the Lebanon cedars to the plants, from the Lebanon cedars to the hyssop that grows on walls; he talked about hyssop that grows on walls; he talked about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Kings all animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Kings all over the world heard of his wisdom and sent over the world heard of his wisdom and sent people to listen to him.” (1 Kings 4:29-34)people to listen to him.” (1 Kings 4:29-34)

The missionThe mission

““Keep them. Practice them. You’ll become Keep them. Practice them. You’ll become wise and understanding. When people hear wise and understanding. When people hear and see what’s going on, they’ll say, ‘What a and see what’s going on, they’ll say, ‘What a great nation! So wise, so understanding! great nation! So wise, so understanding! We’ve never seen anything like it.’ Yes. What We’ve never seen anything like it.’ Yes. What other great nation has gods that are intimate other great nation has gods that are intimate with them the way GOD, our God, is with us, with them the way GOD, our God, is with us, always ready to listen to us?” (Deuteronomy always ready to listen to us?” (Deuteronomy 4:6-7 – The Message)4:6-7 – The Message)

God tries to win the worldGod tries to win the world

““You are like salt for the whole human You are like salt for the whole human race…You are like light for the whole world. race…You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

ProverbsProverbs

Distilled wisdomDistilled wisdom

Great truths expressed with sharp brevity Great truths expressed with sharp brevity in such a way as to hold attentionin such a way as to hold attention

Illustrations which expose fundamental Illustrations which expose fundamental realities of liferealities of life

Compressed experienceCompressed experience

English proverbsEnglish proverbs

““Absence makes the heart grow fonder”Absence makes the heart grow fonder”

““Actions speak louder than words”Actions speak louder than words”

““Don’t judge a book by its cover”Don’t judge a book by its cover”

““Necessity is the mother of invention”Necessity is the mother of invention”

Hebrew proverbs: two lines (parallelism)Hebrew proverbs: two lines (parallelism)

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

Synonymous (second line repeats the Synonymous (second line repeats the same thought with different words)same thought with different words)– ““Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to

downfall.” (Proverbs 16:18)downfall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Antithetical (second line contrasts)Antithetical (second line contrasts)– ““Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow

death to be gloomy all the time.” (Prov. 17:22)death to be gloomy all the time.” (Prov. 17:22)

Synthetic (second line amplifies and Synthetic (second line amplifies and expands on the meaning)expands on the meaning)– ““Anyone who hides hatred is a liar. Anyone who hides hatred is a liar.

Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool.” Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool.” (Proverbs 10:18) (Proverbs 10:18)

Comparative (nature or other illustration)Comparative (nature or other illustration)– ““A warning given by an experienced A warning given by an experienced

person to someone willing to listen is person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.” (Proverbs 25:12)made of the finest gold.” (Proverbs 25:12)

Proverbs in contextProverbs in context

““It is not for kings…to drink wine, or for It is not for kings…to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink; or else they rulers to desire strong drink; or else they will drink and forget what has been will drink and forget what has been decreed, and will pervert the rights of all decreed, and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to one who the afflicted. Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their distress; let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no poverty, and remember their misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:4-7)more.” (Proverbs 31:4-7)

Proverbs in contextProverbs in context

““Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache of the kill the pain and dull the ache of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.” (Proverbs 31:6,7)death.” (Proverbs 31:6,7)

Proverbs in contextProverbs in context

““A nagging wife is like water going drip-A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip.” (Proverbs 19:13)drip-drip.” (Proverbs 19:13)

““A nagging wife is like water going drip-A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip on a rainy day. How can you drip-drip on a rainy day. How can you keep her quiet? Have you ever tried to keep her quiet? Have you ever tried to stop the wind or ever tried to hold a stop the wind or ever tried to hold a handful of oil?” (Proverbs 27:15-16)handful of oil?” (Proverbs 27:15-16)

Apocryphal proverbsApocryphal proverbs

““The man who lectures to a fool lectures to The man who lectures to a fool lectures to one who is dozing, and at the conclusion one who is dozing, and at the conclusion he will say, “What was it?’” (Sirach 22:8 he will say, “What was it?’” (Sirach 22:8 Goodspeed)Goodspeed)

““The proverbs of Solomon son of David, The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: For learning about wisdom king of Israel: For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young…” knowledge and prudence to the young…” (Proverbs 1:1-4)(Proverbs 1:1-4)

WisdomWisdom

““The fear of the Lord is the beginning of The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7 – NIV)discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7 – NIV)““To have knowledge, you must first have To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the LORD. Stupid people reverence for the LORD. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.” (Proverbs 1:7 – GN)learn.” (Proverbs 1:7 – GN)““reverence or terror”reverence or terror”

““There is no fear in love; perfect love There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.” (1 John 4:18)punishment.” (1 John 4:18)

WisdomWisdom

Purpose of having:Purpose of having:

– ““My child, pay attention to what your My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you. father and mother tell you. Their Their teaching will improve your characterteaching will improve your character as as a handsome turban or a necklace a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.” (Proverbs improves your appearance.” (Proverbs 1:8-9 – GN)1:8-9 – GN)

WisdomWisdom

““My child, learn what I teach you and never My child, learn what I teach you and never forget what I tell you to do. Listen to what is forget what I tell you to do. Listen to what is wise and try to understand it. Yes, beg for wise and try to understand it. Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. Look for it as hard knowledge; plead for insight. Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. If you do, you will know what it means to fear If you do, you will know what it means to fear the LORD and you will succeed in the LORD and you will succeed in learning learning about Godabout God. It is the LORD who gives wisdom; . It is the LORD who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding…from him come knowledge and understanding…If you listen to me, you will know what is right, If you listen to me, you will know what is right, just, and fair. You will know what you should do. just, and fair. You will know what you should do. You will become wise, and your knowledge will You will become wise, and your knowledge will give you pleasure. (Proverbs 2:1-6)give you pleasure. (Proverbs 2:1-6)

““To be wise you must first have reverence To be wise you must first have reverence for the LORD. If you for the LORD. If you know the Holy Oneknow the Holy One, , you have understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) you have understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) ““These are the solemn words of Agur son of These are the solemn words of Agur son of Jakeh: ‘God is not with me, God is not with Jakeh: ‘God is not with me, God is not with me, and I am helpless. I am more like an me, and I am helpless. I am more like an animal than a human being; I do not have animal than a human being; I do not have the sense we humans should have. I have the sense we humans should have. I have never learned any wisdom, and I know never learned any wisdom, and I know nothing at all about God. (Proverbs 30:1-3 – nothing at all about God. (Proverbs 30:1-3 – GN)GN)

““The LORD says, ‘The wise should not The LORD says, ‘The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. If any want to boast, they should boast If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me, that they know and understand me, because my love is constant, and I do because my love is constant, and I do what is just and right. These are the things what is just and right. These are the things that please me. I, the LORD, have that please me. I, the LORD, have spoken.’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)spoken.’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Wisdom comes from an intimate Wisdom comes from an intimate knowledge of Godknowledge of God– ““This is eternal life, to know God” (John 17:3)This is eternal life, to know God” (John 17:3)

To know God in this way is to be changed To know God in this way is to be changed into his imageinto his image

The Proverbs reveal the words, thoughts The Proverbs reveal the words, thoughts and actions of this wisdom (Solomon)and actions of this wisdom (Solomon)

Jesus’ life is wisdom personifiedJesus’ life is wisdom personified

““The child grew and became strong; he The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him.” (Luke 2:40)were upon him.” (Luke 2:40)

[Jesus] taught in the synagogue, and those [Jesus] taught in the synagogue, and those who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did he get such wisdom?’” (Matthew 13:54)he get such wisdom?’” (Matthew 13:54)

“…“…they will know God’s secret, which is they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)

““But God has brought you into union with But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom... As the scripture says, be our wisdom... As the scripture says, ‘Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is ‘Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice?’ We, however, able to give him advice?’ We, however, have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:16 – GN) 1:30; 2:16 – GN)

““Are there any of you who are wise and Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. But if in your heart you are jealous, and wisdom. But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don’t sin against the truth by bitter, and selfish, don’t sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. Such wisdom does not boasting of your wisdom. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. Where there is jealousy is unspiritual and demonic. Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. But the wisdom from above is kind of evil. But the wisdom from above is purepure first first of all; it is also of all; it is also peacefulpeaceful, , gentlegentle, and , and friendlyfriendly; it is ; it is full of compassionfull of compassion and produces a harvest of and produces a harvest of good good deedsdeeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And ; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And goodnessgoodness is the harvest that is produced from the is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.” (James seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.” (James 3:13-18)3:13-18)

““People with a hot temper do foolish things; People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.” (Proverbs 14:17)wiser people remain calm.” (Proverbs 14:17)

““When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult.” known. Smart people will ignore an insult.” (Proverbs 12:16)(Proverbs 12:16)

““The Messiah will not come from Galilee! The The Messiah will not come from Galilee! The scripture says that the Messiah will be a scripture says that the Messiah will be a descendant of King David and will be born in descendant of King David and will be born in Bethlehem, the town where David lived.’ So Bethlehem, the town where David lived.’ So there was a division in the crowd because of there was a division in the crowd because of Jesus.” (John 7:41-43)Jesus.” (John 7:41-43)

““If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; it is a sin to despise anyone…If you oppress it is a sin to despise anyone…If you oppress poor people, you insult the God who made poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.” (Proverbs 14:21,31)act of worship.” (Proverbs 14:21,31)

““When the Pharisees saw him keeping this When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company [prostitutes, tax collectors, kind of company [prostitutes, tax collectors, and fisherman], they had a fit, and lit into and fisherman], they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers, ‘What kind of example is Jesus' followers, ‘What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riff-raff?’” (Matthew 9:11 MSG)crooks and riff-raff?’” (Matthew 9:11 MSG)

““It is better to be patient than powerful. It is It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.” (Proverbs 16:32)over whole cities.” (Proverbs 16:32)““If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink.” they are thirsty, give them a drink.” (Proverbs 25:21)(Proverbs 25:21)

““Let other people praise you – even strangers; Let other people praise you – even strangers; never do it yourself.” (Proverbs 27:2)never do it yourself.” (Proverbs 27:2)““It is dangerous to be concerned with what It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)you are safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)““A fool does not care whether he understands A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.” (Proverbs 18:2)smart he is.” (Proverbs 18:2)

““While Jesus was in Jerusalem during the While Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in him Passover Festival, many believed in him as they saw the miracles he performed. as they saw the miracles he performed. But Jesus did not trust himself to them, But Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew them all. There was no because he knew them all. There was no need for anyone to tell him about them, need for anyone to tell him about them, because he himself knew what was in their because he himself knew what was in their hearts.” (John 2:23-25)hearts.” (John 2:23-25)

““So when you give something to a needy So when you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses of worship and hypocrites do in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. But when you help already been paid in full. But when you help a needy person, do it in such a way that a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about even your closest friend will not know about it.” (Matthew 6:2-3)it.” (Matthew 6:2-3)

““Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, words. They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know you are a man of ‘Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by men, integrity. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?’ But Jesus knew their shouldn’t we?’ But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. ‘Why are you trying to trap me?’ hypocrisy. ‘Why are you trying to trap me?’ he asked.” (Mark 12:13-15)he asked.” (Mark 12:13-15)

““Thoughtless words can wound as deeply Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.” (Proverbs 12:18)can heal.” (Proverbs 12:18)

Proverbs: A book about the right way to Proverbs: A book about the right way to live, think and actlive, think and act

““Many people think that what’s written in the Many people think that what’s written in the Bible has mostly to do with getting people Bible has mostly to do with getting people into heaven—getting right with God, saving into heaven—getting right with God, saving their eternal souls. It does have to do with their eternal souls. It does have to do with that, of course, but not mostly. It is equally that, of course, but not mostly. It is equally concerned with living on this earth—living concerned with living on this earth—living well, living in robust sanity. In our Scriptures, well, living in robust sanity. In our Scriptures, heaven is not the primary concern, to which heaven is not the primary concern, to which earth is a tagalong afterthought. “On earth as earth is a tagalong afterthought. “On earth as it is in heaven” is Jesus’ prayer. “Wisdom” is it is in heaven” is Jesus’ prayer. “Wisdom” is the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living.”heaven everyday living.”

““Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find whatever actual conditions we find ourselves. It has virtually nothing to do with ourselves. It has virtually nothing to do with information as such, with knowledge as information as such, with knowledge as such. A college degree is no certification of such. A college degree is no certification of wisdom—nor is it primarily concerned with wisdom—nor is it primarily concerned with keeping us out of moral mud puddles, keeping us out of moral mud puddles, although it does have a profound moral although it does have a profound moral effect upon us. Wisdom has to do with effect upon us. Wisdom has to do with becoming skillful in honoring our parents becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives,” money and conducting our sexual lives,”

““going to work and exercising leadership, using going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, eating words well and treating friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes toward others within ourselves and attitudes toward others that make for peace. Threaded through all that make for peace. Threaded through all these items is the insistence that the way we these items is the insistence that the way we think of and respond to God is the most think of and respond to God is the most practical thing we do. In matters of everyday practical thing we do. In matters of everyday practicality, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes practicality, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes precedence over God.”precedence over God.”

““Proverbs concentrates on these concerns Proverbs concentrates on these concerns more than any other book in the Bible. more than any other book in the Bible. Attention to the here and now is Attention to the here and now is everywhere present in the stories and everywhere present in the stories and legislation, the prayers and the sermons, legislation, the prayers and the sermons, that are spread over the thousands of that are spread over the thousands of pages of the Bible. Proverbs distills it all pages of the Bible. Proverbs distills it all into riveting images and aphorisms that into riveting images and aphorisms that keep us connected in holy obedience to keep us connected in holy obedience to the ordinary.” (the ordinary.” (The Message - Introduction The Message - Introduction to Proverbs)to Proverbs)