The Book of Proverbs usually ends up high on the Favorite Books of the Bible list for many people. I think part of the appeal of a book like this is that it is made up of wise sayings and things to do, or not do, to remain in Good Favor.
The proverbs themselves, many of them at least, strike me as remarkably conservative, in a small "c" way. Keep to yourselves, work hard, don't lie or cheat to get ahead, trust God, stay away from people of questionable character. In short, these Proverbs reflect a great deal of what we have come to see as the American ethic (whether we live up to it or not). It is no wonder that many people love this book and many people desire to hear from words like these in their preacher's sermons!
Proverbs 3: 5-6 was, for me, a favorite in college. They formed the words to a great, classic camp song that even included hand motions!
But what I love about the Proverb the most is that first sentence, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Subordinating our will, and our knowledge, to God is truly the trick of it. I think if more people who claimed the Christian mantle actually did this, then the climate around Christianity these days (politically owned by one party, filled with hypocrites) might not exist.
Just a thought there.
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