THE THEOLOGY OF PROVERBS/KNIGHT

What was the bibliology of Solomon, the writer of the book of Proverbs? Would Solomon be called a “Bible believer”? Did Solomon receive the Word of God for himself, and did he memorize Scripture as one might memorize it today?“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;”(1).

It would seem as though Solomon with the portion of the uncompleted canon of
Scripture that he had, did commit Scripture to memory. He did apply Scripture to his heart and life. This is why Solomon could charge his readers, through inspiration, to seek wisdom and understanding in God’s Word.  “Wisdom, having solemnly warned rebellious scorners, now instructs her dutiful children. The dark question long before asked---’Where
shall wisdom be found?---is now answered. It is here set before us, as the fear of the knowledge of God; a principle of practical godliness; a preservation from besetting temptations; and a guide into the right and safe path.” (2)

God gave a road map to Solomon and all that will read His Book. It is the source for wisdom and understanding. Proverbs rebukes the scorner, chastises the backslider, and gives wisdom to the prudent of heart. Solomon truly was discipled by the Lord through His Word. The job of discipleship is never complete, and is never complete. The source never changes, God’s Word. “He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain
my words: keep my commandments, and live.” (3)
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1. cf. Proverbs 2:1, 2ff.
2. Charles Bridges, A Commentary on Proverbs (Avon: The Bath Press, 1846). P. 13.
3. cf. Proverbs 4:4ff.
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THE THEOLOGY OF PROVERBS/KNIGHT

Part of discipleship is the retaining, and the application of Scripture into ones life. This principle is taught in this passage as recorded by Solomon. In addition to this principle, part of retaining what one already knows is to add to one’s knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from
the words of my mouth.”(4)

Solomon not only charges it’s readers to get the Word and it’s commands but to keep them and store them up. To ware house the truths of God’s Word. The implication is that if one has these truths stored up, one can use them as needed. But if one does not have these truths stored in their hearts and minds they cannot be retrieved on demand.

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.”(5) Solomon continues his charge to it’s readers to train ones heart, and apply God’s transforming Word to changing hearts to be godlike. Changed from godless to godly. This transformation can only be brought about by God’s Word. “Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”(6)

Solomon finishes declarations and reasons why he trusts in God’s Word and why every man, woman and child should do the same.“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”(7)
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4cf. Proverbs 4:5ff.
5cf. Proverbs 7:1ff.
6cf. Proverbs 23:12ff.
7cf. Proverbs 30:5ff.
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THE THEOLOGY OF PROVERBS/KNIGHT

What did Solomon believe about the doctrine of God (theology proper)? Was his belief in God a high and lofty view? Did Solomon believe that God is holy? Is He omniscient? Was God the Creator of man and the universe? Does God deserve man’s reverence and awe?

“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”(8)
Solomon understood that by he knowing the Lord God he had at his disposal an
enormous spiritual goldmine. The knowledge of God was far greater and more
valuable then all the earthly riches that he possessed. Solomon knew that he was a rich man with or without his armies, palaces and gold.

“The highest blessedness is to know God. If any distinction between the Lord Jehovah and God Elohim can be pressed here, it is that in the former the personality, in the latter the glory, of the Divine nature is prominent.”(9)

Solomon was also aware and convinced of God’s holiness. In the presence of God Solomon was awed and humbled by God’s holiness and purity. God’s omniscience demands that Solomon and all Christians not only maintain a sense of holiness in the temple or church but in everyday life of a Christian.“The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.”(10)

The Christian is wise to live a godly life knowing that God is holy and omniscient.
Proverbs states that Solomon understood God’s attribute of omniscience. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”(11)
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8 cf. Proverbs 2:5
9 J.M. Fuller, Barns’ Notes-The Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1879), p. 18.
10 cf. Proverbs 21:12
11 cf. Proverbs 25:2
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THE THEOLOGY OF PROVERBS/KNIGHT

Solomon through inspiration writes about the sovereignty of God. The reason this shows so much wisdom is that the issues that arise in the Christian life many times raise many unanswered questions. Many times there is no reason humanly with things happen the way they do. Christians many times are reduced to simply believing that God has a reason, and He is in control, and that He knows best for His people.

“The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.”(12)

This matter of salvation, and trusting in the Lord is powerfully demonstrated in the life of Solomon. In all the glory of the wisdom and wealth of Solomon, he simply trusted in the Lord. He did not have the full cannon of Scripture. He did not have sixty-eight fulfilled prophecies to build up his faith. He did not have the history of the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah. But Solomon did have a belief in the Seed Promise. He was as saved as a New Testament believer is today.

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”(13)

Solomon took comfort not only in his eternal destiny, in heaven, but also in
his present protection from the evil in the world. He also displays and teaches
a real contentment in waiting on and trusting in the Lord. This, to put in New
Testament terminology, shows a Spirit controlled believer.
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12 cf. Proverbs 26:10ff.
13 cf. Proverbs 20:22ff.
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THE THEOLOGY OF PROVERBS/KNIGHT

Solomon makes clear that a man or woman of God shall not only see the eternal blissfulness, but will also enjoy Divine temporal security. “They shall be safe now. Integrity and uprightness will preserve men, will give them holy security in the worst of times; for it will preserve their comfort, their reputation, and all their interest.”(14)

The prerequisite for this security is biblical integrity. The benefits would include
ones personal comfort, reputation and all personal needs. God in certainly
interested in the smallest of details of ones life.

“Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.”(15)

Worship was central to Solomon, thou somewhat different in the Old Testament dispensation. The idea of worship did not begin in the Church Age. Worship is found though out human history, and recorded all though Scripture. A vary important part of worship found through out the Bible is prayer. Man talking with God, and God communication through Scripture, or in the Old Testament the Lord speaking at times audibly to man.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.”(16)

The Lord delights in the prayers of His people. Prayer is a sweet smell to the
Lord. It is assuring to know that when one comes to the Lord that the Devine
welcome mat is before the front office of heaven. Furthermore it is also assuring
to know that prayers are heard and answered by the Lord.
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14 Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1994, p.786.
15 cf. Proverbs 28:18ff.
16 cf. Proverbs 15:8ff.
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THE THEOLOGY OF PROVERBS/KNIGHT

“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”(17)

There are many build in benefits to living holy. One of them is answered prayers. A implication to this verse also is that the Lord will stay near to the person living a holy life before the Lord.

“These verses are near prophetic in their theological concern. Religious zeal is no substitute for integrity.”(18)

One of the joys of worship is to sing to the Lord. Believers from both the
Old and New Testament era have been blessed by singing. Singing opens the
heart to worship to the Lord. Sing is good spiritual medicine. Sing glorifies the
Lord, and blesses God’s people.

“In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.”(19)

The natural outflow from the righteous man is that he will rejoice. This is the fruit
of the Spirit flowing through the believers life. One can almost always see the
fruit of a believer. This fruit both blesses his fellow believer and convicts the lost.
Weather it is the church in the New Testament, or the tabernacle in the
Old Testament both refer to the house of God. A place to worship God, and to
assemble with God’s people. The tabernacle and it’s blessings stood in stark
contrast to the assembly of the unsaved with it’s defeat.“The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.”(20)
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17 cf. Proverbs 15:29ff.
18 Duane A. Garrett, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1993). P. 153.
19 cf. Proverbs 29:6ff.
20 cf. Proverbs 14:11ff.
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THE THEOLOGY OF PROVERBS/KNIGHT

What was Solomon’s view on eschatology? Was it the same as our view of the Rapture, Tribulation period, and Millennial reign of Christ? Proverbs seems to speak vary little about future things. But Proverbs does mention one conversation regarding prophecy.

“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”(21)
All Scripture, including prophecy came either by the Holy Spirit moving upon one
of the writers of Scripture or the Lord actually speaking audibly to an Old
Testament patriarch, and then recorded. Proverbs also records a statement that
seems to indicate an awareness of a day of judgment of the Lord. “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness
delivereth from death.”(22)

“Wealth, which seems to be a great guide of the human family, not only cannot deliver, but cannot profit in the crisis of fate.”(23) The human writer of Proverbs, Solomon, clearly believed in trusting in God’s Word. For if by no other reason it would be foolish to be charged to obey a book that one did not believe. Solomon was a firm believer in God the Father. He believed in His Sovereignty and holiness. Solomon believed in the Lord Jehovah that He would save people from their sins. Solomon was a worshipper of God. Solomon believed the God had a plan for mankind in future things
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21 cf. Proverbs 31:1
22 cf. Proverbs 11:4
23 W. Harris, The Preachers Complete Homiletic Commentary of Proverbs (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co., 1996), p. 199.


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