Why Do We Need Proverbs?

Before we get into the details of Proverbs, I want to address the reasons why we need the Proverbs:

1. We need the Proverbs because knowledge is not enough. We live in an age of knowledge. When you think about the accumulation of knowledge, it is mind boggling. However, knowledge does not necessarily mean we possess wisdom. Knowledge is not enough, we must have wisdom (Note: Wisdom is the skillful use of God's Word). The Proverbs take us past moral understanding, they teach us how to live. The person, who understands God's Law, but refuses to submit to His Law is a fool. Proverbs gives us the moral skills to apply what we claim to know. And as we apply God's Law, we grow in wisdom.

2. We need the Proverbs to teach us how to apply God's law during difficult situations. There are many people, who know how to answer all the catechism questions, but have very little skill in discerning good and evil. The Proverbs help us to learn how to apply God's Law in the complex situations that confront us in a sin cursed world.

3. We need to the Proverbs because they teach us how to apply the weightier issues of the Law such as justice, mercy, and faith. We may, for example, have a great understanding of God's Law, but maybe we don't possess the skills to handle conflict and promote peace. The Proverbs teach us how to take God's Law and put it into practice.