p. 3 | PROVERBS by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 5, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 39.

PROVERBS

By F. D. Starr

BY F. D. STARR.

HERE is the book for the business man. If all would follow the maxims contained in this volume, business would flourish, poverty would scarcely be known, and there would be only honest transactions among men.

According to the Septuagint this book might properly be called the parables of Solomon, for the Greek translation of Prov. 1:6 is, “To understand a parable and a dark speech,” etc. Also in Eccl. 12:9, where it says the preacher set in order many proverbs, the Greek says parables. In 1 Kings 4:32, we read that Solomon spake 3,000 parables. We find that in the New Testament also the words proverb and parable are interchanged. For instance in Luke 4:23, where the word proverb occurs, the original Greek word is parable. Also in the Old Testament in such passages as Deut. 28:37; 1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13 and many others, where the word proverb is found, the Greek word is parable.

It is stated of our Lord in Matt. 13:34, “Without a parable spake He not unto them.” The same word is here used that is so often translated proverb, as well as parable. So we see that the Saviour in using this method of teaching was simply doing what Solomon and others have done before Him, using similitudes teaching by comparison. The Spirit of Christ which was in them took the same course as it did when manifested in Himself. As Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs, there must be a large majority of them that have never come down to us, for in this book we have less than one-third that number of proverbs and some of these are credited to other authors, as stated in ch. 30:1 and 31:1. This is but one of many evidences that there was much that was written by inspiration that was not included in the Bible. But enough is contained in it to furnish us thoroughly with all needed information. As we see by John 21:25, we could not make use of all that might be written by the inspired pen.

Perhaps, as it seems to the writer, the most prominent thought in the book of Proverbs is the necessity of our being willing to receive reproof. “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Ch. 29:1. Let us notice some of the other statements about reproof: “He that refuseth reproof erreth.” 10:17. “He that hateth reproof is brutish.” 12:1. “He that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.” 13:18. “He that hateth reproof shall die.” 15:10. “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; neither will he go unto the wise.” 15:12. In fact there is no other book in the Bible that says so much about reproof as this book does. It is so natural for people to prefer to be flattered and commended rather than reproved. But a friendly reproof is to be highly valued. Says David: “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.” Ps. 141:5.

A very familiar expression, so often used in this book, is the loving term, “My son.” It is interesting to note the many instances in which it occurs. “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” 1:10. “My son, forget not my law.” 3:1. “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” 6:20. The Apostle Paul uses one of these quotations in Heb. 12:5. “Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him.” This exhortation to which the apostle refers is found in Prov. 3:11. The rendering varies somewhat in Hebrews from our version in Proverbs, but is a reproduction of the Septuagint version, from which the apostles usually quoted.

The subjects of chastity, temperance, diligence, and obedience to God’s holy law are specially dwelt upon in this book. We notice some of the instruction on these points. “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” 29:18. “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” 28:9. Think of the inconsistency of the man who refuses to keep God’s commandments and still claims to lead a religious life, and says, “Lord, Lord,” while he does not do what the Lord has said.

What more startling warnings in regard to intemperance could be given them than are found in this book? “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” 20:1. “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” 23:29, 30. How true is this statement concerning the woe and degradation that has come to our world on account of intemperance! O, that the poor drunkard might be aroused by these admonitions, and, with God’s help, reform and lead a temperate life!

The direful results of a life of shame are so vividly described in this book as to startle the transgressor away from his downward path. “Her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.” Ch. 2:18, 19. “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” Ch. 9:18. In contrast to this, read the description of a virtuous life as found in the last chapter. Thank God for the timely warnings of this book. Let us study them well.