Reflections on Proverbs 3

 

Proverbs 03 (Contemporary English Version)


1. My child, remember my teachings and instructions and obey them completely.
   
2. They will help you live a long and prosperous life.
   
3. Let love and loyalty always show like a necklace, and write them in your mind.
   
4. God and people will like you and consider you a success.
   
5. With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment.
   
6. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.
   
7. Don't ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the LORD and stay away from evil.
   
8. This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.
   
9. Honor the LORD by giving him your money and the first part of all your crops.
   
10. Then you will have more grain and grapes than you will ever need.
    
11. My child, don't turn away or become bitter when the LORD corrects you.
    
12. The LORD corrects everyone he loves, just as parents correct their favorite child.
    
13. God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense.
    
14. Wisdom is worth more than silver; it makes you much richer than gold.
    
15. Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you want compares with her.
    
16. In her right hand Wisdom holds a long life, and in her left hand are wealth and honor.
    
17. Wisdom makes life pleasant and leads us safely along.
    
18. Wisdom is a life-giving tree, the source of happiness for all who hold on to her.
    
19. By his wisdom and knowledge the LORD created heaven and earth.
    
20. By his understanding he let the ocean break loose and clouds release the rain.
    
21. My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind.
    
22. They will help you to live a long and beautiful life.
    
23. You will walk safely and never stumble;
    
24. you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly.
    
25. So don't be afraid of sudden disasters or storms that strike those who are evil.
    
26. You can be sure that the LORD will protect you from harm.
    
27. Do all you can for everyone who deserves your help.
    
28. Don't tell your neighbor to come back tomorrow, if you can help today.
    
29. Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you.
    
30. Don't argue just to be arguing, when you haven't been hurt.
    
31. Don't be jealous of cruel people or follow their example.
    
32. The LORD doesn't like anyone who is dishonest, but he lets good people be his friends.
    
33. He places a curse on the home of everyone who is evil, but he blesses the home of every good person.
    
34. The LORD sneers at those who sneer at him, but he is kind to everyone who is humble.
    
35. You will be praised if you are wise, but you will be disgraced if you are a stubborn fool.
    

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This is one of the most referenced proverbs of the book. Thus far, a pattern in four parts begins to emerge in the individual proverbs.  The first is an appeal to seek wisdom. The second is to highlight the benefits of living by wisdom. The third teaches that wisdom comes from the Lord. And the fourth presents the folly of living apart from wisdom. This pattern is evident in this proverb starting with the appeal to seek wisdom. This theme is presented in the first 4 verses in the form of observing the teaching of our parents. An important part of this teaching brought out in these verses is loyalty and faithfulness. These traits will give a person favor and high regard with both God and man.

Verses 7-12 present the second part of the pattern, wisdom is from the Lord. Fear of the Lord is at the very heart of wisdom. We cannot fear or respect the Lord and seek His wisdom while considering ourselves also to be wise. Maybe it is not that we cannot, but at least we do not seek the wisdom of the Lord when we consider ourselves to be wise. Several reasons for this could be given, but a significant one is that when we consider ourselves to be wise we are following a different 'wisdom' than what we receive from the Lord. It does not direct us to, but away from the Lord. The Lord's wisdom gives healing to the body. It leads us to honor the Lord with our possessions which is a practice that will prosper us. In verses 9 & 10 are the principles of tithing - giving to the Lord the first part of our income. By practicing this principle we are assured to have all that we need. This practice of giving the Lord the first part (1/10 at least) of our income both recognizes that all things come from the Lord and demonstrates our trust that by returning a portion to Him of what He has given us He will bless us.

Verses 13-20 present us the benefits of wisdom. A central thought of this section is that the earth was founded by wisdom, suggesting that to live apart from this wisdom is to live out of sync with creation. Lifted up to us as a part of this wisdom is to maintain our competence and discretion. To do so will enable us to sleep well, not fearing sudden danger or ruin. Instead, the Lord will guide our ways and keep our foot from a snare.

Verses 27-35 present the fourth part of the pattern - the folly of living apart from wisdom. This is accomplished in this proverb by contrasting the life of the wicked and the upright. First of all, the upright do not withhold good from those in need if at all possible. Neither do they plan harm against their neighbor. Furthermore, they do not falsely accuse anyone nor envy the life of the violent man. The suggestion is that these are all practices of those who live apart from wisdom, referred to here as the wicked. It is the upright, not the wicked, to whom the Lord is a friend. His curse is on the household of the wicked, but His blessing on the home of the righteous.