Purpose and Teaching of Proverbs

Many people have told me if I want to gain wisdom to read proverbs. There have even been suggestions to me to begin memorizing some of the verses. Every now and then I will flip through Proverbs and find a handy verse. However, there are many times when I am reading through this book and I catch myself saying, "Huh?" What does that mean? Trying to decipher through the book of proverbs can be a duanting task for some. For me, I wanted to know the purpose of this book and it's origin. So I did a little research on my favorite site:www.ibs.org and found this:

According to the prologue (1:1–7), Proverbs was written to give “prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young” (1:4), and to make the wise even wiser (1:5). The frequent references to “my son(s)” (1:8,10; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1) emphasize instructing the young and guiding them in a way of life that yields rewarding ends. Acquiring wisdom and knowing how to avoid the pitfalls of folly lead to personal well-being, happy family relationships, fruitful labors and good standing in the community (see outline, p. 1279). Although Proverbs is a practical book dealing with the art of living, it bases its practical wisdom solidly on the fear of the Lord (1:7; see Ps 34:8–14 and note). Throughout the book reverence for God and reliance on him are set forth as the path to life, prosperity and security (cf. 3:5–10; 9:10–12; 14:26–27; 16:3,6–7; 18:10; 19:23; 20:22; 22:4; 28:25; 29:25). Such godly wisdom is a virtual “tree of life” (3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4) that yields the happy life that God fashioned the creation to produce.

Those that Transgress against us

Psalm 94:12-23

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.

As I read through this, I thought about all the times I felt like the world was crumbling down all around me and reflected back to those moments. It was without adoubt that when man wasnot there to support me or lift me up, God was always there. I also thought about all the times that I felt betrayed or hurt by someone who was just "evil" and this passage helps as well. Those that transgress against me may have temporary satisfaction or achievement, but God willprevail in the end and they will be destroyed. Is that wrong to feel comfort knowing that they will be punished by God? It may be, but in a way it brings peace tome knowing that I don't have to deal with their actions because God will get them in the end. This may be my way of sick revenge and that tells me that I have not fully forgiven someone if I am still concerned about revenge. So that is something I am working on: True Forgiveness in the same way God forgave me.