Proverbs 2 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Proverbs 2 Short Summary:

In Proverbs 2, Solomon gives advice to his son about pursuing wisdom. He wanted his son to pursue wisdom the way men pursue money. God gives wisdom to those who seek it, and wisdom will be a guide to those who possess it, helping them avoid the temptation presented to them by evil men and women.

Proverbs 2 Summary

THEMES:

• Wisdom should be pursued with great energy and zeal.

• Wisdom will help its possessor overcome the temptations presented to them by evil men and women.

DEFINITIONS:

• Equity (2:9) - Fairness and impartiality.

• Devious (2:15) – Being skilled at using underhanded and less-than-honest tactics to get what you want.

OUTLINE:

• WISDOM IS SOMETHING WORTH PURSUING (2:1-22):

  • Solomon once again assumes the posture of a father speaking to his son.

  • He tells his son that if he heeds his instructions, listens for wisdom, and seeks understanding with the same zeal that other men seek after money, he will learn to fear the Lord and he will find the knowledge of God.

  • God is the source of all wisdom, and it’s from Him that a man can learn true knowledge.

  • He gives understanding to those who delight in Him, teaching them the ways of justice, righteousness, and equity.

  • The wisdom God grants will guide those who receive it. It will lead them safely, give them discretion, deliver them from evil, and help them avoid trouble.

  • It will help them avoid the corruption of evil men, crooked men who abandon the way of righteousness.   

  • It will also help them avoid the corruption of evil women. Specifically, Solomon mentions an adulterous woman who lures men into destructive relationships with her using her “smooth words.”

  • Solomon wanted his son to avoid these pitfalls, which is why he encouraged him to pursue wisdom with all his heart and energy.

  • He wanted him to become a wise man and to walk in the “paths of righteousness.”

  • He knew God would uproot and “cut off” a wicked man, but He would establish a wise man and cause him to flourish.

APPLICATION:

• Do you pursue wisdom like you pursue money?

• We all need money to live. We go to work, even though we don’t always enjoy it, because without a paycheck we won’t have food or shelter. It’s nonnegotiable.

• Do we work for wisdom that way? Do we feel wisdom is a necessity? Is it something we can’t go without? Are we willing to pursue it even when the process is less enjoyable than doing other things? Is it nonnegotiable?

• I suspect we could all work harder in our pursuit of wisdom.

• What are some things you could implement in your life to pursue wisdom with more zeal?