Proverbs

Proverbs is one of three of Solomon's books of Wisdom Literature.  Solomon during his reign as king was extolled among the people for his extensive wisdom in various matters.  He wrote this book of wisdom during the younger portion of his life.  In this book, he talks about the snares of the adulteress as she tries to seduce men into sleeping with her.  He bashes the thought of living with a covetous wife.  He also writes about the value of sparing the rod and spoling the child.  He wrote a chapter about trusting the Lord with all your heart and not leaning upon your own understanding of the matters at hand.  In this book, he speaks out strongly against gossip and also against people of  whom he calls fools.  The poetic style of his Proverbs are written in such a way that contradiction seems apparent.  For example Proverbs 26:4-5 reads "Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will be like him yourself.  Answer a fool according to his folly or he will think he is wise in his own eyes."  This passage is often cited as an apparent contradiction by scholars but in essence all that Solomon is saying is that fool is a fool and no matter what you say to him or do to counteract his methods, he is always going to be a fool.  Solomon also writes about the power that strong drink has on a person when they look into it. The key verse of Proverbs and one of the key passages in the whole Bible about the condition of man is chapter 14 verse 12 which reads, "There is a way that seems right to man,  but in the end it only leads to death."  In the last chapters of the book,  the sayings of King Lemuel about what to look for in a virtuos woman are recorded.  I believe that everyone out there somewhere in this world has a mate that they will have if they want it.  It is a promise of God in the Bible to all those who grow into adulthood and have the desire for such companionship.  Yet, it is not up to us but rather up to God to pick that person for us and the best charactar to look for in that person is their virtue.  In a world where divorce is growing rampant day by day, this is a passage that could very well be applied to the lives of those who are seeking out for their mates.  Don't seek out for your mates.  Seek God, and he will bring you mate to you.