Learning To Know God
Through Proverbs

by Dave Arch

All page numbers refer to the New International Version
of The Bible as published by Zondervan Publishing as
their Thinline Bible. It is available at all Christian Book
Stores and many others too.

You could actually go to the top of this article and scratch my name off and write you own name as the author. You will be writing the majority of the contents of this monograph. . . and I believe enjoying it too!

For too long the book of Proverbs has been read only to teach the reader "how to live wisely." However, like the rest of the Bible this approach is to miss its deepest application. The goal of Scripture is so much more than just to teach us right from wrong! God gave His Word to guide us into getting to know Him. Every book of the Bible gives us an additional glimpse into just how He thinks, what He feels, and some of the "whys" behind what we see Him doing.

The book of Proverbs is no exception! Inside of each Proverb is an indescribable treasure! Every proverb enables us to see the invisible God more clearly.

Believing that God Himself is the essence of wisdom, and that every proverb is a statement of wisdom; we could arrive at no other conclusion than the fact that God fulfills every proverb in the Bible. Every proverb is a statement of what God is like in one of His attributes or functions.

HIS CHARACTER

These first proverbs have to do with His character. What is He like? What are some of His attributes and characteristics?

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like
a watercourse wherever he pleases." Proverbs 21:1 (pg. 553)

This one is easy. It just states outright what God is like. He is in absolute control. Even over those that we would term "in control" (i.e.kings), God controls.

"By justice a king gives a country stability, but one
who is greedy for bribes tears it down." Proverbs 29:4 (pg. 560)

This one isn't quite as easy. It talks about a man who creates insecurity in his leadership because he is willing to take bribes. The people under his leadership can never be sure that he is going to do the "right thing," since he can be bribed into his decisions.

God is never like that. You will never be able to talk Him out of doing the right thing. You will never be able to manipulate Him with your promises or "bribes." God makes up His own mind, never simply reacts to us, and always brings stability with His justice.

"The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the
righteous are bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1 (pg. 559)

Here we find an attribute of God's character that is seldom given any attention. If the righteous are as bold as a lion, how bold must God be?

What is boldness? In what ways is God bold? What would be different in your life if God weren't bold?

Those are some good questions to begin you thinking through for yourself this aspect of God.

Do you now see how to take a proverb and use it to see God more clearly? The remainder of this paper contains other proverbs to help you exercise this new-found skill. After reading the verse(s), jot your own thoughts about what it shows you about God in the blanks below the verse.

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who
lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28 (pg. 557)

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"A patient man has great understanding, but a
quick-tempered man displays folly." Proverbs 14:29 (pg. 547)

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
Proverbs 14:30 (pg. 547)

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"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27 (pg. 538)

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"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever
rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker
or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you."
Proverbs 9:7,8 (pg. 542)

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"The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are
his delight." Proverbs 11:1 (pg. 544)

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others
will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25 (pg. 544)

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"A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness
tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue
of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue
lasts only a moment. There is deceit in the hearts of those
who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.
Proverbs 12:17-20 (pg. 545)

"He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who
is kind to the needy." Proverbs 14:21 (pg. 547)

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"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory
to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 (pg. 551)

"He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor
than he who has a flattering tongue. Proverbs 28:23 (pg. 560)

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HIS FRIENDSHIP

The next proverbs deal with the qualities to be found in a good friend. They not only show us the type of friend God is to us, but also help us understand how God defines "a good friend."

It is clear from the rest of the Bible that God does desire to be a good friend to us. What do the following proverbs tell you about the way He will act towards us as a good friend.

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Proverbs 27:6 (pg. 558)

______________________________

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17 (pg. 550)

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"for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright
into his confidence." Proverbs 3:32 (pg. 538)

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HIS FATHERHOOD

God desires to be so much more to us than just a good friend. Often in the Bible, our relationship is spoken in terms of the father-child relationship.

What is God's philosophy of child rearing? If we understood His perspective better, what happens in our lives as He raises us just might make more sense!

What are some of His child rearing principles in the following proverbs? What does He understand to be His parental responsibilities towards us His children?

"A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children,
but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous." Proverbs 13:22 (pg. 546)

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"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him
is careful to discipline him." Proverbs 13:24 (pg. 546)

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"He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a refuge." Proverbs 14:26 (pg. 547)

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"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the
rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15 (pg. 554)

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"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod,
he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save
his soul from death." Proverbs 23:13,14 (pg. 555)

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"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left
to himself disgraces his mother." Proverbs 29:15 (pg. 561)

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See how it works?

The entire book of Proverbs lies full of treasure waiting to be mined! Have fun exploring! God is waiting to show you even more about Himself.

Learning To Know God Through Proverbs

by Dave Arch

All page numbers refer to the New International Version of The Bible as published by Zondervan Publishing as their Thinline Bible. It is available at all Christian Book Stores and many others too.

HIS CHARACTER

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Proverbs 21:1 (pg. 553)

"By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down." Proverbs 29:4 (pg. 560)

"The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1 (pg. 559)