I hate to admit it, but I don't really like the Book of Proverbs. Now I know, that's not the kind of thing you're allowed to say in public. And I know the question of whether I like a book of the Bible is pretty unimportant, kind of like saying "I don't like gravity"... no one asked for my feedback.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Word of God. And I realize that Proverbs is inspired by the Spirit. And I realize this is a "me" problem, not a "Proverbs" problem. But still, I've never really liked it all that much. The first nine chapters seem helpful, though perhaps a little repetitious. But the aphoristic section in the middle has always seemed so different from the rest of Scripture... kind of simple, disconnected, hard to find Christ in there. So I read Proverbs when it comes up in my Bible reading plan, but I don't usually look forward to it.
But recently something happened. As the pressure and grind of life (pastoring, marriage, tastefully named children) seemed to keep mounting, I became more and more aware of my need for wisdom. To put it more bluntly, foolishness kept rearing its head in different areas of my life. And so one day a few months ago, I decided to take Proverbs at it word and give it a try. It promises to give prudence to the simple (1:4), and so I was on board.
I've got to say, I was wrong (but you already knew that). Though there is nothing new there since the last time I read it, the Spirit has kept His promise and used the Proverbs to identify and begin to correct all kinds of foolishness in my life. When I finish preaching through Luke in October, I'm excited to preach Proverbs.
So, the point of all this is that I want to pass on to you resources that I am finding really helpful in enjoying, studying and preparing to preach the book of Proverbs.
For study:
- Bruce Waltke's commentary (in two volumes) is amazing. Great scholarship with a pastoral touch. Not for the faint of heart but well worth the effort.
- Charles Bridge's Proverbs and William Arnot's Studies in Proverbs are really helpful. It's strange, but the old guys who I usually don't find all that helpful on things like Luke's Gospel are fantastic on Proverbs. They were so much wiser than we are. If you only choose one, go with Arnot. It's gold.
- Derek Kidner's Proverbs in the Tyndale OT Commentary Series is really helpful. Thoughtful reflection and scholarship made accessible. It includes a good guide to preaching Proverbs as well.
For preaching:
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