Proverbs III

Proverbs 3

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.[b]
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
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;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.

Man, does Proverbs 3 start off with a bang or what? God immediately recognizes us and tells us to store his commandments. We are once again reminded of just how important the God's words are. When He speaks, we listen.

Proverbs 3 also contains one of the most well known, "John 3:16 like verses," in the Bible: Proverbs 3:5-6. Growing up in Sunday School, songs were one of the most often used tactics fir kids. I learned a song for this very verse, it went a little something like this.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him-- and he will make your path strait, yes he will make your path strait. 

He goes on to tell us to fear the Lord and to turn from evil (v.7). To honor him with our best (v.9). To not reject the Lord's discipline for he corrects those he loves (v.12).

One of my personal favorites in this chapters is 13-15. We are told that wisdom is more precious than rubies. Proverbs is such a book full of wisdom while addressing the subject of wisdom. It is almost magical to read, something I am no doubt drawn to.

The final thing that really sticks out to me is v.26. Something about being told the Lord will be at my side is so reassuring and can fill my hear with joy in the matter of seconds. Just like I've shared before, "If God is for us...who could be against us?" Romans 8:28.

Best wishes,
Grace