Do your word definitions insure accurate application of the proverbs? (131-2)

In this first week of study in the book of Proverbs, it is helpful to look at a few definitions. The Proverbs has a lot of words that seem to line up with modern language but the meanings of some may have drifted for some of us. Browse through the book of Proverbs and look for words such as “the wise person,” “the fool,” “the sluggard,” “the mocker,” “the Harlot,” and “the wicked person.”

Proverbs 3:21(tlb) defines wisdom as “knowing and doing right.” That would mean the wise person in Proverbs seeks knowledge, understands what is learned and applies these lessons to life’s situations and circumstances. A wise leader reflects a love of God, a concern for other’s welfare and carefully chosen words.

The fool in Proverbs is the direct opposite of the wise person. The fool in Proverbs has no desire to learn, no desire to change and no desire for God. A foolish leader creates problems instead of solving them; they become known for folly rather than wisdom and they have no sense of ethics or integrity.

The sluggard in Proverbs is a person who is worthless to the kingdom. A Biblical sluggard suffers the consequences of laziness i.e. poverty, hunger and shame. Most people don’t want a sluggard on their team and certainly not as their leader.

Where the sluggard is generally lazy the mocker is active and militant. In the book of Proverbs, the mocker is misguided, generally arrogant, vocal, and takes a position opposite Biblical teaching.

In the Proverbs the harlot is the same as a modern day prostitute. The harlot would be a willing participant in Biblically defined immoral activity. Prostitution would be more than a way to earn a living; it is a way of life and a chosen profession and carries with it all the attitudes necessary to excel in that profession.

The book of Proverbs places the wicked person in situations where they consistently choose to harm others. They not only harm others but they find joy in plotting how they will harm them. To be described as a wicked person in the book of Proverbs the individual would be far beyond a bad neighbor or someone who is mean or nasty or that has a sour attitude. A wicked person intentionally plots evil over a period of time and finds delight in viewing the results.

The Proverbs is an extremely practical and specific book that challenges us to pursue wisdom in each area of everyday life. The maxims are concise and practical. My recommendation is to read them slowly and carefully and prayerfully with an eye toward bringing your behavior in line with God’s common-sense directives. Understanding the definitions the way they are used in the Proverbs helps insure accurate application. Be alert as you read the Proverbs to words that seem to be used different than how you have always understood them. When you find them do additional study to determine the meaning based on how the word is used.