Published by
Concordia, who kindly sent me a copy to review, Provoking Proverbs by
David Lawrence Coe takes the unique approach of linking biblical wisdom with
the Ten Commandments.
This study
guide, which can be adapted for personal use and/or group discussion, displays
bars and side bars laid out nicely, so readers can readily find what they’re
looking for in a font that’s easy on the eyes.
In 160 pages,
the paperback connects scriptures, quotes from Martin Luther, thought-provoking
questions, and suggestions for applying biblical truths. Anyone interested in
biblical wisdom in general and God’s guidance in particular will likely come to
new insights as study progresses.
To give you
an idea, Chapter 3 of Provoking Proverbs focuses on The Third Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” The author then asks,
“What does this mean?” and offers a
response in a subsequent paragraph:
“If keeping the First Commandment is fearing, loving, and trusting
in God with your heart, and keeping the Second Commandment is fear, loving, and
trusting in God with your lips, then keeping the Third Commandment is fearing,
loving, and trusting in God with your ears. Luther teaches that the Third
Commandment is a gift of time given by God (1) for rest and refreshment after a
week of work and (2) for hearing and learning God’s Word. In this chapter, we’ll
learn that the Third Commandment pairs labor with leisure, vocation with
vacation, and responsibility with recreation. God wants us to work hard and
play hard.”
The chapter
continues with relevant proverbs from the book of Proverbs, but also from other
wisdom books in the Old Testament and the New. You’ll even find commonly
accepted social proverbs often quoted by one’s parents or culture!
Then as with
each chapter, a pertinent prayer concludes the discussion as does this one from Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation:
“We thank
You, kind Father, that You give us time to hear Your Holy Word. Grant that
fearing and loving You, we may set aside our work to receive Your Son’s words,
which are spirit and life, and so, refreshed and renewed by the preaching of
Your Gospel, we might live in the peace and quietness that come through faith
alone; we ask it for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”
Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020, poet-writer, reviewer
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