1: The Teaching Program of Proverbs

            One of the first questions you may ask of this series of devotionals is, Why are we only covering the first nine chapters in Proverbs? The answer to this question is actually quite straight-forward. The first nine chapters provide the foundation for using and interpreting the rest of the book. So, as we explore this foundation, then we will know how we are to use the book.

            It is true that, in a biblical book like Proverbs, we find an endless treasure trove of biblical wisdom. Yet, many seem to think that its wisdom is inaccessible or for some super-spiritual or intellectual elite. Despite this perception, Proverbs was written for everyone. In fact, since the time it was written, it has been recognized as the Bible’s education program for passing down the faith to one’s children. It is important to know that Proverbs encapsulates the biblical command in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to teach one’s children (and grandchildren) to love God. Because of this, before we begin going through Proverbs, it would be good to start there. 

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

 The themes presented in this passage are all over the first nine chapters of Proverbs. In essence, the teaching is this: The One God requires oneness of singular obedience from His people. Our obedience is to correspond to His oneness. (This, of course, is accomplished in Christ, who then enables us to grow in His standards daily by His grace). “These words” in verse 6 refer to both the Ten Commandments in the preceding chapter, and to verses 4-5, both of which represent knowing and doing all that God commands from one’s heart. Our heart refers to all of our decision-making and will: the whole person. Verse 7 then introduces the theme that Proverbs takes up for educating our children to adulthood. The command to teach this to our children “diligently” brings forth the imagery of someone whetting or sharpening a sword. Just as it takes many repetitions to properly sharpen a blade, so teaching our children God’s ways requires continual diligence. And just in case we are wondering how we are to do this, God is careful to tell us in verses 7-9. We are to teach them when we sit, when we walk, when we lie down, and when we rise. It shall govern all that we do (as a sign on our hand) and all that we think (as frontlets between our eyes). And it shall govern everything in our house and in everything we do outside our house. This sounds comprehensive, doesn’t it? All times are times to train our children and all times are for seeking to loyally obey God with the new heart He has given us for that purpose. Yet, even if we do not have children, this is given for everyone. After all, who would not want to be taught good things? It is not just children who need to be taught. We also need to begin ourselves in those principles and seek to persist in them. All of these things are designed to be following into adulthood, that our adult lives may also honour the One God. Even one as wise as Solomon was given this same charge by David when he became king (see 1 Kings 2:1-5). It should then be no surprise that Solomon wrote proverbs to that end.

            The obedience that God desires of us is total and singular, both in ourselves and in the fulness of training up of our children. Isn’t this an impossible standard? Without Christ, we would be just like the children of Israel, who God often described as stiff-necked and rebellious. Only Christ was able to love God perfectly by obeying Him perfectly from the heart. He did this in our stead, so that, when God looks at us, He sees the obedience of His Son. In Christ, we also have the promised provision of a new heart foretold in Deuteronomy 30:6 (making us a new creation), so that we may grow into this standard by His grace. We are thus shielded in Christ from the curses and divinely enabled to grow in obeying God’s commands from a heart growing to singularity after Him. After all, didn’t Christ teach that loving God and loving neighbor is what is to characterize all Christian practice, including within it all the law and the prophets? In fact, it includes all the Scriptures, and finds its basis in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. So, the education program of Proverbs is just as relevant to us as it was in Old Testament times; albeit the Old Covenant is fulfilled in Christ, leaving us with the moral commands for this love to God.

            Moving back to Proverbs, chapters 1-9 is a teaching program that exposits Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is designed to help all grow to singular loyalty to the One God. As Christians, we have a particular advantage over the ancient Jewish audience, in that we both know Christ and have the promised provision of the New Covenant (a new heart and the Holy Spirit). Because of this, we can better grow towards God’s standards; and that without the fear of the biblical curses. We should not be afraid to approach Proverbs as children hungry for the wisdom of God. Even if we are growing well to maturity, Proverbs has endless wisdom to challenge any saint.

            Next time we will be examining Proverbs 1:1-7 and the nature of godly wisdom. There we will see that the book is expressly set up as a teaching manual for children through mature adulthood.