Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming the Book of Proverbs -- By: Gregory W. Parsons

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 150:598 (Apr 1993)
Article: Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming the Book of Proverbs
Author: Gregory W. Parsons


Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming the Book of Proverbs

Greg W. Parsons

[Greg W. Parsons is Professor of Biblical Studies, Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, Texas.]

The Book of Proverbs includes many practical and down-to-earth sayings. Yet few sermons are preached from this book. For many preachers the Book of Proverbs apparently seems like “nothing more than a deserted stretch of highway between Psalms and Ecclesiastes” that appears “dry and barren.”1 Collins asserts that “the crisis of relevance” for the preacher is particularly acute for the Book of Proverbs since it provides little inspiration or excitement. He opines, “With the exception of Leviticus, it is doubtful that any biblical book is viewed with less enthusiasm by the preacher.”2 Why is it that, although Proverbs is a rich source of devotional reading, preachers and teachers normally bypass Proverbs for public presentation?3

Several problems face the expositor in seeking to understand and proclaim the Book of Proverbs. (1) Some proverbs seem to conflict with human experience (10:27; 22:4) or seem contradictory to one another (26:4–5; cf. 6:6–11 with 15:16).4 (2) Many

proverbs, on the whole, appear to be secular common-sense sayings, almost devoid of theological content. (3) Some proverbs seem excessively moralistic (20:13) or overly concerned with the status quo (24:21).5 (4) Others seem totally amoral observations of society (14:20; 17:8). (5) Proverbs 10:1–22:16 and chapters 25–29 consist of hundreds of individual sayings seemingly unconnected with what comes before or after.6 (6) Some proverbs may be culturally problematic. Can Proverbs 23:13 be utilized by the preacher who faces a society full of child abuse?7

How can the biblical expo...

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