The Message of Proverbs

The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament

by David John Atkinson

The book of Proverbs is the most practical book in the Bible. Its instruction in the art of living has been long tried and long proven. Its proverbial seeds of discernment are ready to be planted and rooted in the receptive soil of Wisdom's sons and daughters today. In The Message of Proverbs the ancient voice of Lady Wisdom cries out again. She summons us to the life skills of godliness and helps us say no to the foolish and destructive enticements that inhabit the malls, campuses, housing divisions and office buildings of the postmodern world. But as much as we glean from the surface of Proverbs, there remains still more in its depths. David Atkinson's commentary wonderfully illumines the ancient cultural and religious background of the discourses and sayings of Proverbs. Wisdom's values are brought into sharp relief. More important, Atkinson brings the wisdom of Proverbs into conversation with the wisdom of God now more fully displayed in Christ. In this way the place of Proverbs in the pattern of God's Word is clearly accented.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Christian, Nonfiction, Old Testament

173 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 1996

About the author

The Rt Rev. David John Atkinson is the former Bishop of Thetford. He was born on 5 September 1943 and educated at Maidstone Grammar School and King's College London. After a short career as a chemistry teacher he was ordained in 1973. His career began with a curacy at St Peter Halliwell Bolton, after which he was Chaplain (and a Fellow) of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, then a Canon Residentiary at Southwark Cathedral and finally (before his elevation to the Episcopate) Archdeacon of Lewisham. In 2009 he became an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Southwark. Bishop David is married with two children and six grandchildren. He retired on 16 September 2009.

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 and a half stars probably - has a good introduction to the genre of Wisdom/Proverbs, and good insights on chapters 1-9, which takes up over half of the book. Trying to squeeze commentary on Proverbs 10-31 into the remaining 70 pages (many of which were taken up by reprinting of the text itself) meant that the exegesis was far more brief and less meaningful for the majority of the Book of Proverbs. Absolutely LOVED Atkinson on Job in this series, gutted this one didn't quite match!

[Paul Dubuc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good guide to the biblical book of Proverbs. Proverbs is mostly a loose collection of sayings so a commentary that treats the book in order of its chapter and verse would quickly become tedious to read. Instead this author does a very good job of reorganizing the discussion of Proverbs to highlight its major themes and passages. I suggest reading the whole book of Proverbs, then going back and reading this book or doing it the other way around. Trying to follow the book while read Proverbs one chapter at a time won't work very well.

[Talia · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book had some useful content, I found the thematic organisation frustrating for reading along through Proverbs.

[David Sarkies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explores my favourite Biblical book
17 July 2010

I've always liked the book of Proverbs. Not only is it a book of wisdom but much of it is a collection of short sayings designed to make us think about how we relate to the world we live in, the people we live with, and the God who created us. More than being a book of 'this is how we should live' it is a book that is more like 'food for thought'. The commentary divides the book into three parts, and rather than tackling the book verse by verse (as most commentaries for other books of the Bible do) this commentary takes more of an overview of the three sections and tackles the many themes that arise from Proverbs. The sections are the opening, which introduces us to a woman who is the personification of wisdom, and is advice from a father (most likely a king) to his son, who will one day take his place on the throne. The next section is a collection of sayings attributed to King Solomon, while the third section is a collection of sayings attributed to others (including Solomon). Proverbs ends with a prologue entitled 'A Wife of Noble Character, which many suggest wraps up Proverbs with another personification of wisdom: described as being a woman that every godly man should seek as a partner.