KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE OF PROVERBS IN BIBLICAL LEARNING
1. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT PROVERBS ARE NOT PROMISES OF GOD.
We know from experience that good Christian people can die young or develop all types of health problems, or they can experience hardships with people in their families or in the workplace, or they may endure serious financial struggles.
2. PROVERBS ARE GOD-GIVEN LEARNING TOOLS DESIGNED TO TEACH US HOW TO APPLY "KNOWLEDGE" RIGHTLY.
The ideas of knowledge and wisdom are closely tied together: "knowledge" tends to focus on a correct understanding of the world and ourselves in it-that's the purpose of education-while "wisdom" is the acquired skill of applying that knowledge rightly, and applying knowledge rightly can be defined as skill in the art of godly living. Although Proverbs cannot be taken as guarantees, people who strive to honor God and obey His word are generally healthier, have more peace in their lives, and are more fruitful-i.e., happy/content-than people who live foolishly and dishonestly.
