Book of Proverbs should be understood as principles for living, not promises for life
Published: August 6, 2011
Question: How are we to understand and apply the Proverbs if, sometimes, they may not come true?
- D.S.,
Taipei, Taiwan
Answer: There are different ways to interpret Scripture and still honor God's Word. The most common choices are literal or figurative. Some passages we understand to be literal truths; they will happen exactly as they're written. Other verses are figurative, symbolizing greater spiritual truths. Just because something isn't literal doesn't mean it's not true. There's also a third way to interpret Scripture. Certain passages ought to be understood as principles rather than promises. A scripture principle is an ideal rule to strive for. We may or may not reach that goal, but we set it before us as something to live by. A promise is a guarantee that something will happen. Some people have lost faith in the Bible because they claimed principles as promises, and when those promises didn't come true they blamed God.
Much of the Book of Proverbs should be understood as principles for living rather than promises for life. In the first 7 verses of Solomon's introduction to the book he indicated that these were guidelines to obtain understanding, but true wisdom comes from the Lord. Therefore, some proverbs are the wisdom of men - good advice, but not ironclad promises from God that will come true in every situation. Think of Proverbs as a slice of the truth, not the whole truth for every situation.
Consider Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." That's a good principle to strive for, but God doesn't put everyone in the same mold. There are too many uncertainties of which you have no control. If you do your best to raise your child to love God but he departs from the faith, that doesn't mean God or you have failed. Every person makes their own choices, even when you set a good example before them.
Another example is Proverbs 3:9-10 which says if we honor the Lord with our finances and our tithes, our barns will overflow and we'll always have plenty. That's a principle to follow, not a promise that those who honor the Lord will never suffer lack. If we understand Proverbs as principles, they give us something to hope for but there's no disappointment with God if we don't see them fulfilled.
Now, mind you, if you personally claim certain Proverbs as promises you believe the Lord has given to you, then by all means keep faith in them and wait for God's fulfillment. But, if you've done your best and you still have hardships, don't say God's Word isn't true. Exceptions to the rule do not make the rule invalid in other cases.
- Dr. Tom Lovorn is pastor of God's Storehouse Baptist Church in Richmond. He writes a weekly column on religion. You may send him your Bible questions in care of this newspaper or via his website at www.tomlovorn.us
- D.S.,
Taipei, Taiwan
Answer: There are different ways to interpret Scripture and still honor God's Word. The most common choices are literal or figurative. Some passages we understand to be literal truths; they will happen exactly as they're written. Other verses are figurative, symbolizing greater spiritual truths. Just because something isn't literal doesn't mean it's not true. There's also a third way to interpret Scripture. Certain passages ought to be understood as principles rather than promises. A scripture principle is an ideal rule to strive for. We may or may not reach that goal, but we set it before us as something to live by. A promise is a guarantee that something will happen. Some people have lost faith in the Bible because they claimed principles as promises, and when those promises didn't come true they blamed God.
Much of the Book of Proverbs should be understood as principles for living rather than promises for life. In the first 7 verses of Solomon's introduction to the book he indicated that these were guidelines to obtain understanding, but true wisdom comes from the Lord. Therefore, some proverbs are the wisdom of men - good advice, but not ironclad promises from God that will come true in every situation. Think of Proverbs as a slice of the truth, not the whole truth for every situation.
Consider Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." That's a good principle to strive for, but God doesn't put everyone in the same mold. There are too many uncertainties of which you have no control. If you do your best to raise your child to love God but he departs from the faith, that doesn't mean God or you have failed. Every person makes their own choices, even when you set a good example before them.
Another example is Proverbs 3:9-10 which says if we honor the Lord with our finances and our tithes, our barns will overflow and we'll always have plenty. That's a principle to follow, not a promise that those who honor the Lord will never suffer lack. If we understand Proverbs as principles, they give us something to hope for but there's no disappointment with God if we don't see them fulfilled.
Now, mind you, if you personally claim certain Proverbs as promises you believe the Lord has given to you, then by all means keep faith in them and wait for God's fulfillment. But, if you've done your best and you still have hardships, don't say God's Word isn't true. Exceptions to the rule do not make the rule invalid in other cases.
- Dr. Tom Lovorn is pastor of God's Storehouse Baptist Church in Richmond. He writes a weekly column on religion. You may send him your Bible questions in care of this newspaper or via his website at www.tomlovorn.us
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