מָשָׁל
The Hebrew word for “Proverb”
This word for “Proverb” directs our attention the content and wisdom of God’s Law…according to Scripture!
“Proverb” is a word that initiates Solomon’s training of his son’s mind. It was also used by Solomon to train Israel, a nation arising out of over 150 years of “on again, off again”…apostasy. The Book is designed to reintroduce God’s people to the Law of God.
As you can see the word Proverbs references Hebrew word “Mishli” – designed to teach us how to think “analogically.” In other words, a proverb – Mishli – trains the mind to compare God’s word with our circumstances. It combines several things at once: a comparison of God’s word with circumstances of life. In the immediate context, Solomon compares the wisdom he was given by God, to the training he received from his father David.
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The Gate into the Interpretation of Scripture
This draws immediate reference to Deuteronomy 6:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
“Proverb” used as an byword, a lesson of public wonder and contempt…
Solomon used Proverbs to recover Israel to the Law of the Lord. The prophets warned Israel to relearn the Law of the Lord because, like the churches over the last 2000 years, God’s people LOSE the Law of the Lord – See Judges 3: 1-8; I Kings 3-4 and Ecclesiastes 12:
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Proverbs was a bridge to relearn the Law of God. But why did Israel …and the Church today… LOSE God’s Law? Why do we keep LOSING it?
If you need the answer to that question…go here:
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