Proverbs Study Guide

PROVERBS STUDY GUIDE

Proverbs was written over a long period of time by several different authors. The first section of it was put together by King Solomon or by someone under his direction, but some of its contents may be much older. It reached its current size and organization some five or six hundred years after Solomon.

[0] Read 1 Kings 4:29-31. Who gave Solomon his wisdom? _____________

Proverbs often talks about wisdom as if it was a person. For instance, in Proverbs 9:1-6 wisdom builds a house, cooks food, and talks to people. Some theologians make a case that it is talking about the Holy Spirit because of all the places in the Bible where it talks about the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Wisdom. Others have suggested that it is Jesus Christ since he has gone to prepare a place for us (Prv 9:1), the marriage feast of the Lamb, (Prv 9:2), and the allusion to Jesus Christ in Isaiah 11:1-3. I believe it is a literary device called "personification" often used in poetic writings such as the book of Proverbs is. I believe this because in Prv 8:22 it says wisdom is a thing created or possessed by God, and the Son and the Holy Ghost are God, not His possessions or creations.

The first nine chapters of Proverbs are a general essay on the nature and value of wisdom. Chapters 10 to 29 are a series of one or two verse proverbs. Chapter 30 is some longer proverbs signed by the author, Agur the son of Jakeh. Proverbs 31:1-9 are the words of King Lemuel's mother. Proverbs 31:10-31 is a poem about a virtuous woman, which may be a continuation of the first 9 verses of the chapter.

It is recommended you read the the quiz questions and answer them at the time you read the associated passage in Proverbs instead of waiting until you have read everything and just trying to remember it all. Because it is a lengthy book we suggest you divide your study into to weeks, concentrating on chapters 1 to 16 the first week, and 17 to 31 the second week. The question numbers 1 to 31 refer to the chapter in which the answer can be found.

Read Proverbs chapters 1 to 16 and answer the following questions:

[1] What is the beginning of knowledge? _______________________________________

[2] Who gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding? ________________

[3A] By what means did the Lord found the earth and establish the heavens? ____________

Scripture Promise - Please read Proverbs 3:25-26 and answer these questions:

[3B] Who is speaking to whom? _______________________________________

[3C] What is promised to whom? _______________________________________

[3D] What are the conditions of the promise being fulfilled, if any? _______________________________________

[4] Who is the listener or listeners in chapter 4? ______________________

[5] In chapter 5 the whole chapter is exhorting the listener to avoid one particular sin.

What is it? ________________

What are the six or seven things that the Lord hates and finds an abomination?

[6A] Haughty ________,

[6B] a lying ____________,

[6C] __________ that shed innocent blood,

[6D] a __________ that devises wicked plans,

[6E] ________ that run rapidly to evil,

[6F] a false ______________ telling lies,

[6G] and one who ____________________________ among brothers. .

[7] What are we to call our sister? ____________

[8] By what means did God create the universe? ____________

[9] What is the beginning of wisdom? ________________________________________

[10] Look at Prv 10:8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 31, 32. What do these verses have in common?

____________________________________

[11] What is like a beautiful woman who does not know when and how much to talk? ____________________________________

____________________________________

[12] Whose anger can be immediately seen? ____________

[13] What does it say about someone who never spanks their children? ____________________________________

____________________________________

[14] If one is kind to the poor who is honored? ______________________________

[15] What does a gentle answer prevent? ____________________________

[16] Why has the Lord made everything, including evil? ________________________________

Read Proverbs chapters 17 to 31 and answer the following questions:

[17] What can a fool do to appear wise? ______________________________________

[18] What is a strong tower or fortress? ___________________________________________

[19] It is better to be what than a liar? ________________________

[20] What do a "hearing ear" and a "seeing eye" have in common? __________________________

[21] Who controls the hearts of rulers? ________________

[22] What do rich people and poor people have in common? ______________________________

[23] Who have a strong Redeemer? ____________________________

[24] We should not be envious or jealous of whom? ______________________

[25] If you find a lot of honey, how much should you eat? _______________________________

[Proverbs Question 25A] Match these Proverbs to the corresponding New Testament passages below: Prv 25:6-7; Prv 25:8-11; Prv 25:21-22; Prv 26:11; Prv 26:26; Prv 27:1-2

____________ Matthew 5:43-44

____________ Matthew 18:15

____________ Luke 8:17

____________ Luke 14:7-11

____________ James 4:13-16

____________ 2 Peter 2:22

[26] Who is like a crazy person with deadly weapons? ____________________________________

____________________________________

[27] Who is better than a distant brother? ________________________________

[28] Who are as bold as a lion? __________________________

[29] Where does justice come from? ________________

[30] Who shields those who take refuge in Him? ________________

[31] How is a virtuous woman like a ship? _________________________________________

--------------------------- PROVERBS ANSWERS ---------------------------

WEEK 1 ANSWERS

[0] Read 1 Kings 4:29-31. Who gave Solomon his wisdom? God 1Kg 4:29

[1] What is the beginning of knowledge? the fear of the Lord Prv 1:7

[2] Who gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding? the Lord Prv 2:6

[3A] By what means did the Lord found the earth and establish the heavens? wisdom Prv 3:19

[3B] Who is speaking to whom? The writer is speaking with his son.(Prov 3:1)

[3C] What is promised to whom? The son is promised that the Lord will keep him from falling into a trap.

[3D] What are the conditions of the promise being fulfilled, if any? Proverbs 3"1-21 says that the son must listen to the Father's wisdom and obey God's commands.

[4] Who is the listener or listeners in chapter 4? son or sons Prv 4:1, 3, 10 & 20

[5] In chapter 5 the whole chapter is exhorting the listener to avoid one particular sin. What is it? adultery Prv 5:3 & 20.

What are the six or seven things that the Lord hates and finds an abomination?

[6A] Haughty eyes, [6B] a lying tongue, [6C] hands that shed innocent blood, [6D] a heart that devises wicked plans, [6E] feet that run rapidly to evil, [6F] a false witness telling lies, [6G] and one who spreads strife among brothers. Prv 6:16-19. Notice the poetic use of "six" and "seven" which emphasizes the embedded parallelism. The list of seven things becomes six if you combine the "lying tongue" with "the false witness." It could also be seen as six things which are the means used to cause the seventh, because the first six things could all bring about strife among people.

[7] What are we to call our sister? wisdom Prv 7:4

[8] By what means did God create the universe? wisdom Prv 8:22-31

[9] What is the beginning of wisdom? the fear of the Lord Prv 9:10

[10] Look at Prv 10:8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 31, & 32. What do these verses have in common?

They all have to do with talking.

[11] What is like a beautiful woman who does not know when and how much to talk? A pig wearing jewelry. Prv 11:22

[12] Whose anger can be immediately seen? A fool Prv 12:16

[13] What does it say about someone who never spanks their children? The parent's hate the children. Prv 13:24

[14] If one is kind to the poor who is honored? the Creator God Prv 14:31

[15] What does a gentle answer prevent? Anger or wrath Prv 15:1

[16] Why has the Lord made everything, including evil? For its own purpose Prv 16:4

WEEK 2 ANSWERS

[17] What can a fool do to appear wise? Keep his mouth shut Prv 17:28

[18] What is a strong tower or fortress? The name or reputation of the Lord Prv 18:10

[19] It is better to be what than a liar? poor or in poverty Prv 19:22

[20] What do a hearing ear and a seeing eye have in common? Both made by God Prv 20:12

[21] Who controls the hearts of rulers? The Lord Prv 21:1

[22] What do rich people and poor people have in common? Both made by God Prv 22:2

[23] Who have a strong Redeemer? The fatherless Prv 23:10-11

[24] We should not be envious or jealous of whom? The wicked or evil Prv 24:1 & 19

[25] If you find a lot of honey, how much should you eat? As much as you need, no more, no less Prv 25:16

(Proverbs Question 25A) Proverbs in New Testament:

Matthew 5:43-44 Prv 25:21-22

Matthew 18:15 Prv 25:8-11

Luke 8:17 Prv 26:26

Luke 14:7-11 Prv 25:6-7

James 4:13-16 Prv 27:1-2

2 Peter 2:22 Prv 26:11

[26] Who is like a crazy person with deadly weapons? Somebody that tells lies and then says he was just joking. Prv 26:18-19

[27] Who is better than a distant brother? A nearby friend. Prv 27:10

[28] Who are as bold as a lion? The righteous Prv 28:1

[29] Where does justice come from? The Lord Prv 29:26

[30] Who shields those who take refuge in Him? The Lord Prv 30:5

[31] How is a virtuous woman like a ship? She brings food from a distance Prv 31:14

PROVERBS THOUGHT QUESTIONS

Week 1

[Proverbs Question 32] Proverbs 7:6-27 tells a story the writer sees from his window. Re-tell the story in your own words.

[Proverbs Question 35] There is a promise in Proverbs 3:25-26. Does this promise apply to you? How do you know?

[Proverbs Question 36] What questions would you like to see discusses with regard to Proverbs Chapters 1 to 16?

[Proverbs Question 37] Choose a passage from Proverbs 1 to 16 and analyze it for parallelism as described in http://www.tntcarden.com/Bible/Parallelism.htm

[Proverbs Question 38]

Example of Using a Scripture Passage to Pray Proverbs 3:19-26

This verse becomes	this personal prayer
Pro 3:19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.	Father, You are all wisdom and understanding. You made the earth and the heavens.
Pro 3:20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.	You are all knowledge. You made the waters and the rain upon the earth.
Pro 3:21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,	Help me to use sound wisdom and discretion in all that I do. Never let me lose sight of common sense and clear thinking.
Pro 3:22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.	Keep my soul alive and well.
Pro 3:23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble.	Keep me walking in Your way. Don’t let me stumble or be a stumbling block to others.
Pro 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.	With You as my safety I know I can enjoy a good night's sleep.
Pro 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;	Help me not to panic over alarms or surprises. Never let me fear the wicked. My protection is in You. Stay beside me and keep me safe and sound.
Pro 3:26 For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.	Be my confidence Lord. With You I can do all things. Keep from being caught in the traps that Satan lays for me.

How could you use this prayer in your own life?

Week 2

[Proverbs Question 39] Proverbs 1:7; 1:29; 2:5; 3:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:2; 14:26; 14:27; 15:16; 15:33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; 24:21; and 31:30 all either compare fear of the Lord to other things, or talk about the consequences of fearing the Lord. Consider these verses together and try to write a summary of them all.

[Proverbs Question 40] Proverbs 1:7; 1:29; 2:5; 3:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:2; 14:26; 14:27; 15:16; 15:33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; 24:21; and 31:30 all talk about fearing the Lord. What is fear of the Lord?

[Proverbs Question 41] Based on Proverbs 31:10-31, please describe a virtuous woman in terms of what women have to deal with today in our modern culture.

[Proverbs Question 42] Which verse would you select to memorize from Proverbs? Why?

[Proverbs Question 43] Was Proverbs and this lesson helpful to you in your Christian life? Why, or why not?

[Proverbs Question 44] If someone asked you what Proverbs was about what would you say?

[Proverbs Question 45] What questions would you like to see discusses with regard to Proverbs Chapters 17 to 31?

[Proverbs Question 46] Choose a passage from Proverbs 17 to 31 and analyze it for parallelism as described in http://www.tntcarden.com/Bible/Parallelism.htm

[Proverbs Question 47] What book would you like to study next week?