Introduction

• Proverbs 1:1-7 – Proverbs is to help us receive and understand wisdom from God. Part of that is humility.

There are various types of proverbs.

Contrast

• Proverbs 13:1, 20, 3

Comparison

• Proverbs 26:1, 11

Straight-forward advice

• Proverbs 18:13 – Compare John 7:51.

Extended

• Proverbs 24:30-34

Why aren’t these wise sayings ALWAYS true?

These are general truths with exceptions.

• Ecclesiastes 9:11
• Proverbs 10:4 – Compare James 5:4.
• Proverbs 19:9

Some passages may pertain to promises unique to Old Covenant Israel.

• Deuteronomy 28:1-4, 15
• Proverbs 30:1; 31:1 – Some proverbs were written by other men (not Solomon).
• Proverbs 12:21 – See II Timothy 3:12; 4:8

Different circumstances call for different applications of wisdom.

• Proverbs 26:4-5 – There are times when you may or may not want to answer a fool.
• Proverbs 18:22; 21:9 – Is marriage good or not? Generally it is a great blessing, but there are cases where it is a bad relationship.

Dave’s faves

• Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath”
• Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain”
• Proverbs 16:32 – “He who is slow to anger is better than the might”
• Proverbs 18:17 – “The first to plead his case seems right …”