Proverbs and Ecclesiastes

BACKGROUND

Proverbs are short sayings that generally give counsel about living righteously. The Old Testament records that Solomon “spake three thousand proverbs” (1 Kings 4:32). Some of these wise sayings are included in the book of Proverbs. Although Solomon and the other authors of this book were not prophets, much of what they wrote was inspired by the Lord. Their writings generally reflect a belief that true wisdom comes from God.

The book of Ecclesiastes also contains wise sayings, and some people believe Solomon to be its author. The message of Ecclesiastes is that life is meaningful only through God.

INTRODUCTION

The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are sometimes called the “wisdom literature.” The sages of the ancient Near East realized the superiority of wisdom over knowledge, for wisdom encompasses knowledge and includes understanding and moral conduct. One was not wise, regardless of his vast learning, if his actions did not comply with his righteous beliefs: “Like all Hebrew intellectual virtues, wisdom … is intensely practical, not theoretical. Basically, wisdom is the art of being successful, of forming the correct plan to gain the desired results. Its seat is the heart, the centre of moral and intellectual decision.

1. Wisdom
What differences are there between being learned and being wise?
Proverbs 1:7
The theme of the book of Proverbs is stated in verse 7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Fear as used here means reverence or deep respect for God. Though there is much in the book that does not rise above worldly wisdom, the whole serves as a reminder that to the Lord all things are spiritual. The book underscores the idea that even in mortal life, when properly viewed, all things testify of God.   
Proverbs 4:7
Theodore M. Burton, then Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles, said: “We must feed the spirit as well as the mind and as well as the body. I plead with our youth, get learning, and with all your getting get understanding. Get learning of the spirit. Get learning of the mind. Get learning of the soul, and become a rounded man or a rounded woman, learned in all ways, for I testify to you this day that security, true security, comes from a knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ. This is the beginning of all learning and of all wisdom. This is the greatest knowledge, the greatest learning, the greatest comfort that men can have. If men have this knowledge in their hearts, they can withstand all the viscissitudes of life.”
Proverbs 9:9–10
2 Nephi 9:28–29
In biblical language, to fear the Lord means to reverence and obey him.
Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is the proper application of knowledge.
To the Israelites, wisdom meant obedience to God’s laws

How does the value of wisdom compare to the value of earthly treasures?
Proverbs 3:13–18
Ecclesiastes 7:12
The words she and her refer to wisdom.
*** How does wisdom bring happiness and peace?
   
2. Trust in the Lord
Proverbs 3:5–7
President N. Eldon Tanner said: “How much wiser and better it is for man to accept the simple truths of the gospel and to accept as authority God, the Creator of the world, and his Son Jesus Christ, and to accept by faith those things which he cannot disprove and for which he cannot give a better explanation. He must be prepared to acknowledge that there are certain things—many, many things—that he cannot understand. “How can we deny or even disbelieve God when we cannot understand even the simplest things around us—how the leaf functions, what electricity is, what our emotions are, when the spirit enters the body, and what happens to it when it leaves? How can we say that because we do not understand the resurrection, there is not or cannot be a resurrection? “We are admonished to ‘trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.’ And we are warned: ‘Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”

What experiences have taught you to trust the Lord?

What does it mean to acknowledge God?
Proverbs 3:6
Alma 34:38
D&C 59:21
How are we blessed as we acknowledge him?
   
VIDEO ON PARACHUTES
   
3. The words we speak
Chalkboard Activity - 7 things the Lord hates
Proverbs 6:16–19
Elder Bruce R. McConkie commented on this verse: “If we think evil thoughts, our tongues will utter unclean sayings. … If our minds are centered on the carnality and evil of the world, then worldliness and unrighteousness will seem to us to be the normal way of life. If we ponder things related to immorality in our minds, we will soon think everybody is immoral and unclean and it will break down the barrier between us and the world. And so with every other unwholesome, unclean, impure, and ungodly course.   
3 of the things apply to the words we speak.
Why is the Lord so concerned with the words we speak?
Proverbs 16:27–28; 
The word froward as used in Proverbs is a translation of several Hebrew words which share the common idea of deceitfulness, perverseness, and foolishness.
Proverbs 18:8;
Proverbs 25:18;
maul = a heavy hammer as for driving stakes, wedges
Matthew 12:36–37
How can we overcome the problems of lying, gossiping, or speaking negatively about others?
               
Proverbs 12:25
Proverbs 16:24
How is this true?
What are the results of speaking kindly?        
*** How have the kind words of others helped you?
Proverbs 15:1       
What benefits come from speaking softly when a disagreement arises?

Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: “We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention”
Proverbs 15:1 (Soft Answers in the Home)
President Brigham Young spoke of maintaining self-control in one’s speech and actions: “In all our daily pursuits in life, of whatever nature and kind, Latter-day Saints, and especially those who hold important positions in the kingdom of God, should maintain a uniform and even temper, both when at home and when abroad. They should not suffer reverses and unpleasant circumstances to sour their natures and render them fretful and unsocial at home, speaking words full of bitterness and biting acrimony to their wives and children, creating gloom and sorrow in their habitations, making themselves feared rather than beloved by their families. Anger should never be permitted to rise in our bosoms, and words suggested by angry feelings should never be permitted to pass our lips. ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.’ ‘Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous;’ but ‘the discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.’”

Elder Marvin J. Ashton gave additional counsel about controlling one’s tongue: Too often we use communication periods as occasions to tell, dictate, plead, or threaten. Nowhere in the broadest sense should communication in the family be used to impose, command, or embarrass. In family discussions, differences should not be ignored, but should be weighed and evaluated calmly. One’s point or opinion usually is not as important as a healthy, continuing relationship. Courtesy and respect in listening and responding during discussions are basic in proper dialogue. … How important it is to know how to disagree with another’s point of view without being disagreeable. How important it is to have discussion periods ahead of decisions. Jones Stephens wrote, ‘I have learned that the head does not hear anything until the heart has listened, and that what the heart knows today the head will understand tomorrow.’"

4. Pride
5. Friendship
6. Raising children
Proverbs 22:6
Bishop Victor L. Brown suggested parents must live the way they want their children to live: “Josh Billings paraphrases this truth: ‘To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself.’ “Throughout the Church I hear ‘If we did not have problems with parents, we would not have them with the young people.’”

James G. Duffin, a former president of the Central States Mission, said: “There is a difference between teaching and training. Teaching is causing the child to understand, training is causing the child to do. Every act performed is that much done towards fixing habits; repeated many times, the habit is established. If we train our children in the ways of the Lord, … every time they perform an act of obedience to the word and will of our Father in heaven their character becomes more firmly fixed in doing the things that God requires of them.”
D&C 68:25–28
How can we more effectively teach children the principles of the gospel and nurture their testimonies?

Elder Richard G. Scott said: “You must be willing to forgo personal pleasure and self-interest for family-centered activity, and not turn over to church, school, or society the principal role of fostering a child’s well-rounded development. It takes time, great effort, and significant personal sacrifice to ‘train up a child in the way he should go.’ But where can you find greater rewards for a job well done?"
Why do children need rules, boundaries, and loving correction?
Proverbs 19:18
Proverbs 29:17
How should parents give correction?
D&C 121:41–44
       
7. Happiness and good humor
Proverbs 15:13
Proverbs 17:22
Why is it important to develop a happy attitude and a good sense of humor?
President Hugh B. Brown said: “I would like to have you smile because after all we must keep a sense of humor whatever comes. I think of all the people in the world we should be the happiest. We have the greatest and most joyous message in the world. I think when we get on the other side, someone will meet us with a smile (unless we go to the wrong place and then someone will grin), so let us be happy. But let our happiness be genuine—let it come from within”
President Hugh B. Brown said: “We have often urged our young people to carry their laughter over into their mature years. A wholesome sense of humor will be a safety valve that will enable you to apply the lighter touch to heavy problems and to learn some lessons in problem solving that ‘sweat and tears’ often fail to dissolve.
What can we do to encourage uplifting humor in our families?
Can anyone tell about a time when humor has helped their family solve problems and grow in love for each other?

FIGURE OF A BODY
    - Proverbs 2:2 (ear and heart)
    - Proverbs 3:5 (heart)
    - Proverbs 3:7 (eyes)
    - Proverbs 3:27 (hand)
    - Proverbs 4:26–27 (foot)
    - Proverbs 8:7 (mouth)
    - Proverbs 10:4 (hand)
    - Proverbs 12:15 (eyes)

VIRTUOUS WOMAN
    - Proverbs 31:10–31
        v.11 - Can be trusted
        v.13 - Works willingly
        v.20 - Is compassionate
        v.25 - Is strong and honorable
        v.26 - Speaks with wisdom and kindness
        v.28 - Is a dedicated wife and mother
        v.30 - Obeys the Lord
       
CLOSING
Proverbs 4:18–19 (Light for Darkness)
President Brigham Young once commented on these verses: “The life of a Christian is said to be full of pain, tribulation, sorrow, and excruciating torments; of fightings without and fears within, of anxieties, despair, gloominess, and mourning. His path is supposed to be spread with gins [snares], pitfalls, and uncertainties, but this is a mistake, for ‘the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day,’ while ‘the wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the just shall come out of trouble.’ “The faith I have embraced has given me light for darkness, ease for pain, joy and gladness for sorrow and mourning, certainty for uncertainty, hope for despair.”