If you love God’s Word, take advantage of the resources available. For instance, Dan Phillips book, God’s Wisdom in Proverbs, is a wonderful introduction to Proverbs. You can read my endorsement here.
I am preparing to preach on Proverbs over the Memorial Day Weekend at Camp Forest Springs. Tonight, I was in my study at my home with a stack of books (not necessarily related to one another) nearby . . . and it struck me that for all the particular challenges of our day, we enjoy unprecedented opportunities to study God’s Word.
When I was in seminary, there were relatively few books available on Proverbs. Derek Kidner’s pithy commentary was on the market. And there were a few others. Toy’s oft frustrating commentary was recommended by many.
But it is a new day. Twenty plus years later, there are a wealth of new resources highlighted by Bruce Waltke’s two volumes published by Eerdmans. Waltke’s commentary is technical and more than most will want to invest. For anyone who wants a wonderful introduction to Proverbs, buy Kidner’s Tyndale Old Testament commentary, along with Dan Phillips’s book, and you will be off to a great start.
**********************
The introduction to God’s Wisdom in Proverbs, “Essentials for Understanding Proverbs,” is worth the price of the book. Phillips has a wonderful regard for the Word of God. His writing style is clear and memorable. For instance, Phillips gives this helpful definition of a proverb:
A proverb is a compressed statement of wisdom, artfully crafted to be striking, thought-provoking,, memorable, and practical.
Or this important thought:
Proverbs convey pithy points and principles, not precious particular promises.
Finally, a beautiful definition of wisdom:
Wisdom: skill for living in the fear of Yahweh
************************
At Camp Forest Springs this weekend, two of my goals will be to encourage family campers to: (1) Read the day’s chapter of Proverbs and (2) Memorize Proverbs. Most of you can’t be at camp this weekend, but those are a couple of great ideas in any case.
Have a great weekend!
Those are great challenges.