AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS PART 1

Text - Proverbs 1:1-7

Introduction

Tonight we are going to begin a new study from the Book of Proverbs on the topic, “The Pathway To Wisdom.”

I am excited about this study because it is the very first time that I have ever done a verse-by-verse study of Proverbs.

The Book of Proverbs is probably one of the hardest books in the Bible to study on a verse-to-verse basis and find some kind of continuity in.  At first glance it looks like Solomon is jumping from one topic to another without any kind of connection between topics.   In some ways that is true, but in another way it isn’t.

Every book in the Bible was written for a purpose.  Proverbs is not just a helter-skelter collection of sayings.  Instead, it was constructed in a very analytical manner.

While there isn’t any kind of chronological order to the chapters or verses in the Book of Proverbs there does seem to be a logical progression in thought regarding it’s construction.

For example:

The entire Book of Proverbs was written to teach us how to be wise. In keeping with that theme each chapter logically falls into the follow order.

In chapters 1-7 we find that the main theme has to do with the COMMENDATION OF WISDOM.

In chapters 8-29 the main theme seems to focus on the COUNSEL OF WISDOM.

Then lastly, in chapters 30-31 we find the COMPARISONS OF WISDOM.

I have read this book on many occasions and over the years I have used hundreds of verses from it in my messages and lessons for references and support text, but I’ve never gone through the entire Book of Proverbs verses-by-verse.

This evening I’m going to begin this study by looking at an introduction of Proverbs 1:1-7.

As we do this I have anticipated some common questions you might have about this book and would like to give you six answers that will help you understand it better.