Proverbs: Wisdom That Works (Preaching the Word)

“I’m delighted to endorse the philosophy behind this series. Here sounds out the voice not of the scholar in the study but of the scholar in the pulpit. The authors are all able teachers who regularly expound God’s living Word to his people. May this rich material give us ‘patterns of preaching’ that will not only feed the flock, but, by God’s grace, change the church.”

“For this outstanding series of expository commentaries, Kent Hughes has assembled a team of unusually gifted scholar–preachers. The series will be widely used and much sought after.”

“It is a pleasure to commend this series of homiletical commentaries. They fill an enormous vacuum that exists between the practical needs of the pastor/teacher and the critical exegetical depth of most commentaries.”

“Throughout the Christian centuries, working pastors have been proving themselves to be the best of all Bible expositors. Kent Hughes stands in this great tradition, and his exciting expositions uphold it worthily.”

“There is a long history of informed, edifying biblical expositions that have been mightily used of God to shape and strengthen the church. These volumes admirably fit this tradition.”

“The single best resource for faithful biblical exposition available today. A great boon for genuine reformation!”

“This series resonates with the priorities of the pulpit. No academic aloofness here, but down–to–earth, preacher–to–preacher meat for God’s people.”

“I have been an appreciative reader and user of R. Kent Hughes’ series of Preaching the Word. It is therefore a joy to commend the most recent addition to that series in Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr.’s Proverbs: Wisdom that Works. It goes without saying that we in the evangelical Church have long needed an exposition of this book, for it really does deal with ‘where the rubber meets the road’ on the hard realities of living the Christian life. I enjoyed each chapter of Ray’s exposition and with thanksgiving to our Lord commend this work to all of God’s people—both pastors, leaders and laypersons. It touches on the basic fabric of life with a note of divine authority and practicality.”

“For the pastor who desires to preach Proverbs, this book will prove to be an important tool. Ortlund’s scholarly giftedness and his pastoral passions combine to create an accurate, readable, and Christ–centered guide to Solomon’s great book of ‘love and faithfulness.’”

“The strength of Ray Ortlund’s study of Proverbs is its Christ–centeredness. The wisdom of Proverbs loses none of its practical value, but rather is given its ultimate fulfillment as an expression of the wisdom of Christ.”

“Proverbs: Wisdom that Works models powerful, profound, relevant expository preaching. The expositions are God–centered, Christ–centered, practical, evangelistic, life–changing, and life–giving. For Proverbs 1—9, each exposition digs deeply into the meaning of the passage in its original context, connects it with the New Testament (especially with Jesus Christ), and demonstrates astutely its contemporary relevance with illustrations and quotations. The last seven chapters bring together various proverbs under seven topics: the tongue, humility, family, emotions, friendship, money, and life and death. The oral style provides easy reading for deep, wise insights. A superb source for preachers preparing a series of Christian sermons on the book of Proverbs and for Bible study groups interested in studying biblical wisdom.”

“Ortlund not only speaks wisdom, he models how to speak it. He not only lights the way on how to preach Proverbs, but on how to walk in wisdom—and he makes me want to do both! Almost immediately I had two reactions: ‘Why am I not preaching Proverbs right now?’ and ‘Why am I not wiser by now?’ Turn here not just to hear about wisdom, but also to taste it. You’ll find the savor reverently worshipful, theologically rich, and relentlessly practical.”

“I simply cannot say enough about Ortlund’s treatment of the book of Proverbs. There is depth here—scholarship disguised as pastoral advice. There is breadth here—quoting diverse people from Descartes to Sherlock Holmes. There is heart here—the heart of an evangelist, a pastor, a friend, and one who truly understands the Word. Proverbs: Wisdom that Works shines God’s light on your day in every area of life.”