The Gospel in Proverbs
This article is part of the Christ in All of Scripture series.
Divine Wisdom
The book of Proverbs is one of the “many ways” God spoke (Heb. 1:1), leading us to his only Son Jesus. What stands out about the book of Proverbs is its gracious offer of divine wisdom for foolish and weak people.
The book of Proverbs is an outpouring of grace from God. Again and again, the author appeals to the reader as his dear “son” (Prov. 1:8, 10, 15; 2:1; 3:1, 11, 21; 4:1, 10, 20; 5:1, 7, 20; 6:1, 3, 20; 7:1, 24; 19:27; 23:15, 19, 26; 24:13, 21; 27:11). This book breathes with the Spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:15). We may therefore study Proverbs not to earn a sonship still out of reach but to bear witness to a sonship already given.
We can pursue his wisdom with every expectation of gaining it as our own.
A Gift of Wisdom for Sinners
The rest of the Bible makes clear that Jesus is the one who perfectly embodies this unique wisdom. According to the Old Testament, the Messiah would be anointed with “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isa. 11:2). According to the New Testament, Jesus is God’s gift of wisdom to sinners (1 Cor. 1:30). Solomon was a genius, but Jesus was greater than Solomon (Matt. 12:42). He amazed people with his wisdom (Matt. 13:54). To this day, he counsels his church through his Word (Rev. 3:18). The wisdom of Jesus can be hard to accept, since it led not to popularity but to a cross (1 Cor. 1:18–25). But if we will humbly receive the divine wisdom hidden in Christ (Col. 2:2–3), the book of Proverbs will open up as a powerful word from our Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6).
ESV Gospel Transformation® Study Bible
The ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible features 375,000+ words of gospel-centered study notes, book introductions, and articles that explain passage-by-passage how God’s redemptive purposes culminate in the gospel and apply to the lives of believers today.
Practical Sanctification
Through the book of Proverbs God our Father guides his children into practical sanctification. But the book offers far more than handy tips. Proverbs provides profound wisdom given by God for our complex decisions (Prov. 2:6). Thus, its wisdom is a provision of grace, enabling us to navigate the problems and perils of life with a fatherly guidance we have not earned nor can provide by our own devices. Because this wisdom is “from above” (James 3:15–17; cf. Prov. 3:19; 8:22–31), we will have to rethink our lives with humble reverence before God (Prov. 1:7; 9:10). We will even have to “call out for insight,” seeking it like silver and searching for it as for hidden treasures (Prov. 2:3–4). But we have the privilege of asking a willing God who delights to provide what we need (cf. Prov. 2:5–7; 22:4; James 1:5), helping us to understand that the sanctification taught in this book is a gift of God that will ultimately be understood as having been won for us already by Jesus (1 Cor. 1:30). Through his Spirit, Jesus shares it freely with the undeserving. Thus, we can pursue his wisdom with every expectation of gaining it as our own.
The way to read the book of Proverbs is to slow down and prayerfully think it through, one proverb at a time. Consider what each instruction reveals of God’s nature by what he values and instructs. Then consider what each proverb reveals about human frailty and need by the instruction we require. Such careful reflection will reveal much about the grace humanity requires, which God will ultimately provide in Christ. Reading this unusual book is more like savoring a piece of hard candy than gulping down a mouthful of fast food. But to those who accept the way God has chosen to speak here, he makes this priceless promise: “Wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul” (Prov. 2:10).
This article is adapted from the ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible. Browse other articles in this series via the links below.
Old Testament
Genesis • Exodus • Leviticus • Numbers • Deuteronomy • Joshua • Judges • Ruth • 1–2 Samuel • 1–2 Kings • 1–2 Chronicles • Ezra • Nehemiah • Esther • Job • Psalms • Proverbs • Ecclesiastes • Song of Solomon • Isaiah • Jeremiah • Lamentations • Ezekiel • Daniel • Hosea • Joel • Amos • Obadiah • Jonah • Micah • Nahum • Habbakuk • Zephaniah • Haggai • Zechariah • Malachi
New Testament
Matthew • Mark • Luke • John • Acts • Romans • 1 Corinthians • 2 Corinthians • Galatians • Ephesians • Philippians • Colossians • 1 Thessalonians • 2 Thessalonians • 1 Timothy • 2 Timothy • Titus • Philemon • Hebrews • James • 1 Peter • 2 Peter • 1–3 John • Jude • Revelation
Popular Articles in This Series
View All
George W. Robertson, Bruce A. Ware
Jesus considered the book of Psalms to be ultimately about him.
Deuteronomy is clearly one of the most important books in the Old Testament.
The foundation stories of Genesis set the stage of the drama of Scripture in many ways.
For believers today, the significance of the book of Esther is that it coordinates with the rest of the Old Testament to foreshadow Jesus as deliverer and mediator for God’s people.
