THE BOOK OF "PRO VERBS"

Notice the title--it's The Book of Pro Verbs, not The Book of Proverbs. Although this blog is about the book of Proverbs, when we dig a little deeper spiritually inside this book of pithy sayings, we'll soon discover that Proverbs is, indeed, a book of pro verbs.

Pro means "right" or "proper." A verb is any word that denotes an action. Put together, a pro verb is "a right or proper action." And this is exactly what the Holy Spirit is stressing throughout the book of Proverbs: how to live right, how to act right, and how to be right in all our choices and decision-making.

But don't take my word for it. Read the book of Proverbs for yourself and see how many "pro verbs" you can find. Proverbs even tells us why we need these pro verbs--these right and proper actions--in  our lives.

Why Even Believers Need "Pro Verbs" In Their Lives

I think we all can say that each of us needs more wisdom. Regardless our years of service for Christ or our station in life, we are still sinners, howbeit saved sinners (in contrast to unsaved sinners). So we are going to make mistakes at times. We will sometimes act foolish in our decisions, even though we may be the wisest person in our church or in our Bible study.

In fact, the Hebrew language uses five different words to reveal the five types of fools mentioned in the book of Proverbs: (1) the simple fool, who is without biblical knowledge and easily seduced; (2) the reactionary fool, who simply wants his way all the time; (3) the silly fool, who is only interested in a good time; (4) the scorning fool, who has rejected God's truth and delights in mocking believers and their standards; and (5) the committed fool, who is a chronic victim of his own passions.

There is one other type of fool mentioned in the Bible. But this is the type of fool God wants His people to be: "We are fools for Christ's sake" (1 Corinthians 4:10). This type of fool is full of God's wisdom and utilizes wisdom's seven essential pillars which are necessary to keep our human "temple" firmly standing strong and upright on the solid rock of our spiritual foundation in Christ.

Pro verb living, or doing what is right and proper, will help keep us from becoming one or more of the five types of   worldly, earthly, fleshly, sensual and soulical fools mentioned in Proverbs, and motivate and help us to become a fool for Christ, the King of kings, Lord of lords and God of gods.

Wisdom's Seven Essential Pillars

In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is likened to a majestic palace. This grand and majestic palace is said to be built upon and supported by seven essential pillars.

Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out her seven pillars. --Proverbs 9:1

Biblical wisdom's essential seven pillars are: (1) the Fear of the LORD (which is also the central theme of Proverbs); (2) Knowledge; (3) Understanding; (4) Prudence ("practical wisdom"); (5) Discretion; (6) Justice; and (7) Righteousness. These seven pillars uphold God's wisdom and makes it supreme over all other wisdom.

Why Read The Book Of Proverbs And Follow It's Pro Verbs?

Proverbs have been described as "short sentences based on long experiences." The main author of Proverbs is King Solomon of ancient Israel. Read Solomon's life-story in the Bible and it won't take long to discover that his short sentences and personal declarations comprising the book of Proverbs as well as his personal exasperations and woes expressed in the book of Ecclesiastes are, indeed, based on his long and oftentimes trying and failing life-experiences.

As you read the book of Proverbs ( or "Pro Verbs" ), here are some of the things you can discover about wisdom:

1. Wisdom comes from three sources.
Trial and error. Counsel from others. God and His Word.

2. God's wisdom is available to all.
To the general public. To political and judicial leaders. 3. To courtroom judges. 4. To the nation as a whole.

3. God's wisdom has seven essential pillars.
These have already been mentioned, but can you find them as you read Proverbs?

4. Foolishness also has its seven pillars.
These are mentioned in Proverbs as well.

5. Satan offers individuals what the Bible calls demonic and sensual wisdom.

In summary, there are many essential reasons why we should be reading and re-reading and taking in as spiritual food the book of Proverbs each day. These reasons are given in the very first book of Proverbs, Proverbs One.

Can you find them?

If so, you should have no problem at all understanding the importance of making the book of Proverbs and its many "pro verbs" your way of living in Christ.

A SPECIAL WORD.

Next month I will release a booklet entitled "THE BOOK OF PRO VERBS." This booklet will go into much greater detail than this blog does. All FaceBook friends will have the opportunity to receive a free copy. --Street Evangelist Tom Alexander