Proverbs 3

My son, do not forget my law,

but let your heart keep my commands,

3:1 The peril of forgetting God’s truth is often pointed out in the Bible (Deut 4:23-24; Ps 78:11; 106:13; Heb 12:5; 2 Pet 1:9).⚜

2 For they will add to you length

of days and long life, and peace.

3:2 Though the rewards of the righteous are given in the next world, even in this world they will benefit from good behavior.⚜

How to walk in a wise way

3 Do not let mercy and truth leave you.

Bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

3:3 Deut 6:6; Prov 6:21; 7:3; 2 Cor 3:3; Col 3:16; Heb 8:10. If the Word of God is not written on our hearts, if it does not become the inner spring for our behavior, it is useless to have it on our lips, or to profess to be pious.⚜

4 So you will find favour and good understanding

in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your paths.

3:5-6 Here are three essentials to a walk directed by God – full trust, renunciation of one’s own wisdom, and acknowledging God in everything. Such a walk is contrasted in Proverbs with “dark ways” (Prov 2:13), stumbling (Prov 4:11-12), wickedness (Prov 11:5), and foolishness (Prov 15:21). So David prayed that God would lead him in a straight way (Ps 27:11). So should we all. A straight way is a way of integrity and uprightness. It is a way full of God’s blessing. It is a way that will lead to the right goal – God Himself.⚜

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes.

Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your navel,

and marrow to your bones.

3:8 Compare Ps 38:3. See Prov 4:20-22.⚜

9 Honour the LORD with your possessions,

and with the firstfruits of all your harvests;

10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your winepresses will burst open

with new wine.

3:9-10 Ex 22:29; Deut 26:1-15; Mal 3:10-12; Luke 6:38. If we offer nothing to God and His service we are dishonoring Him and cannot have His full blessing in our lives.⚜

11 My son, do not despise the discipline

of the LORD,

nor be weary of his correction,

12 For whom the LORD loves he corrects,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

3:11-12 See Job 5:17; Ps 73:14; Heb 12:5-6 (where these words are quoted).⚜

Wisdom is more precious than gold

13 Happy is the man who

finds wisdom,

and the man who gets understanding.

14 For profit from it is more valuable

than the profit of silver,

and its yield better than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies,

and all the things you can desire are not

to be compared to her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand,

and in her left hand are riches

and honour.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways,

and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those

who take hold of her;

and happy is everyone who retains her.

3:13-18 Prov 1:7, 33; 2:1-6. Once again the value and fruits of true wisdom are placed before us. Remember that this wisdom has nothing to do with the so-called wisdom of philosophy, or of Advaita Vedanta. The Bible presents the true wisdom, far more valuable than anything one can gain on earth. The principal fruit of wisdom is found in v 18. That wisdom which is a knowledge of the true God and awe and reverence for Him results in eternal life and blessing (John 17:3). On blessing or blessed see notes at Gen 12:3; Num 6:22-27; Ps 1:1-2; 119:1; Matt 5:3-10.⚜

19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth,

by understanding he established the heavens.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken open,

Further benefits of wisdom

and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion,

not letting them depart from your eyes.

22 So they will be life to your soul,

and grace to your neck.

23 Then you will walk in your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down,

you will not be afraid;

yes, you will lie down and your sleep

will be sweet.

25 Be not afraid of something causing

sudden terror,

or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes.

26 For the LORD will be your confidence,

3:21-26 Here are more fruits of true wisdom – a life that is gracious, secure, upright, fearless, restful. True wisdom will cause us to trust the Lord God, not ourselves (v 26).⚜

Wise behavior towards others

and will keep your foot from being captured.

27 Do not withhold good from those to

whom it is due,

when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbour,

“Go and come again”,

and “Tomorrow I will give”,

when you have it with you.

29 Do not plot to do evil against your neighbour,

living securely near you.

30 Do not strive with a man without cause,

if he has done no harm to you.

31 Do not envy the oppressor,

and do not choose any of his ways.

32 For the perverse man is

an abomination to the LORD,

but his secret is with the righteous.

3:27-32 True wisdom will cause us to behave righteously and compassionately in this world.⚜

God’s curse

33 The curse of the LORD is

on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the home of the just.

34 Surely he scorns the scorners,

but he gives grace to the lowly.

3:34 To some extent at least God, in perfect justice, acts toward people as they act toward Him and others. Note at Ps 18:25-26.⚜

35 The wise will inherit glory,

but fools will be held up to shame.

3:33-35 One of many examples in this book of the contrast between the reward of the righteous and of the wicked. God’s curse or blessing, His scorn or His grace, honor or shame are dependent on our state before God.⚜