THE WISDOM OF JESUS CHRIST

IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

Price: $24.95
Printed: 414 pages
Publisher: Pilgrim Platform
Copyright: ©2006

There is a great need for the application of biblical principles in modern life. Far too many
Christians do not understand how the Bible applies to life, and turn Scripture into a collec-
tion of aphorisms of self-encouragement in the face of adversity. And while Scripture does
provide much encouragement that is to be applied in the face of adversity, it also provides
principles that are to be applied to every aspect of daily life.
There was a time when Proverbs was read and studied with the intent of application, but we are so removed
from those times that Proverbs is difficult to understand in our day. People tend to read over them without under-
standing, or to narrow their meaning and application to the fit into their own unbiblical beliefs and habits, and to
ignore what isn’t immediately clear to them. I know, because I have done this myself over many years.
This study of Proverbs is an attempt to uncover the biblical message of Proverbs verse by verse in the light
of Jesus Christ. We cannot pretend to be other than Christians who live on the redemption side of the Cross,
while Proverbs was written on the anticipation side of the Cross. Nonetheless, the Christian faith is founded on
the eternal consistency of God. God does not change (John 1:2, Acts 7:35, 1 Corinthians 12:6, Hebrews 13:8).
The God of Solomon, the author (and editor) of Proverbs, is the same God spoken of in the New Testament.
In fact, the God of Solomon is Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the present work acknowl-
edges this fact of faith and applies it by reading Proverbs in the light of Jesus Christ.
It might be objected that this practice is not objective scholarship. Indeed, it is not. Scripture tells us repeat-
edly that objectivity is not possible for human beings, and that the belief in one’s own objectivity is, in fact, a
function of sin. Thus, the current study makes no effort to be objective. This statement will generate harsh criti-
cism among the ungodly, who strive for objectivity and dependence upon human faculties and experience. But
the derision the statement may cause does not effect its truth, but only confirms it.
Neither is Scripture to be a matter of mere scholarship. While scholarship is certainly important to a faithful
understanding of Scripture, to make Scripture an object of scholarship is to turn it into either an historic curiosity
or a present abstraction, neither of which are faithful readings of Scripture. The purpose of Scripture, and partic-
ularly of Proverbs, is the shaping of a biblical understanding of life that will serve as a foundation for practical
living.
The Bible endeavors to be ordinary in the root meaning of the word. It provides the foundation of law itself,
as well as the most important and practical laws, the Ten Commandments. In addition, we find a plethora of prin-
ciples for daily living, and a gaggle of good advice about human nature. To overly spiritualize the Bible is to
misunderstand its application to ordinary life. Similarly, to under spiritualize it is to ignore its transcendental
power.
My intent is to follow the path between these twin errors, and I pray for God’s guidance on my part, but also
for God’s guidance on your part—that the Lord Himself will correct my errors and provide you with under-
standing that is beyond my ability to communicate. Indeed, this is the only way that genuine understanding of
God’s Word is possible. I pray that the Lord crack the nut of your self-confidence that the seed of His presence
may take root in your life.
I make no pretense to be a scholar of ancient languages, neither Greek nor Hebrew. Understanding the original
languages will enhance understanding of Scripture. Fortunately, in our day there are many helps that are available to
ordinary Christians. I have found that a basic Hebrew lexicon can make available elements of meaning otherwise
obscured by time and tradition. References to Hebrew words have been included in the text so that those who are
interested can confirm or correct my efforts.
Phillip A. Ross