If we interpret proverbs as promises, we will become disappointed when we think God is not fulfilling his promises. If we understand proverbs properly, however, we won’t make that mistake.

Imagine living in the first century and discovering that Jesus is coming to visit you. The time of his of arrival is at hand, and you hear someone knocking. “Here I am,” you hear Jesus say. “I’m standing at the door. Will you allow me to come in?” You invite him in and begin to chat about the sermon he gave while on a mountain the week before.

Soon, pangs of hunger overtake your attention. You offer to prepare some bread for Jesus, but he declines, citing something about not living by bread alone. Still, you want to eat, so you head to the refrigerator to grab some food. Looking inside, you notice you only have an apple and a Pop-Tart. A dilemma ensues. You really want the Pop-Tart but remember learning in Sunday school that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus is right there and is co-eternal with the Holy Spirit, you definitely don’t want to pollute your temple with junk food…right in front of Jesus! So, you take the apple and then hear Jesus say, “Good choice. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

The phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a modern proverb. It’s not found in the Bible, but the book of Proverbs is of the same genre and same style of literature. Proverbs, in general, are pithy and memorable sayings that express basic truths of life. Here’s the most important interpretive principle to remember about them: proverbs are not promises. They describe the way life generally goes. As such, they teach probable outcomes, not guaranteed outcomes.

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