Proverbs 3

PROVERBS 3

"My son, do not forget My teaching,
But let your heart keep My commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man."
(vs 1-4)

This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The Truths contained in this entire Proverb have ministered to me many times. I use capital letters for the One speaking, for it is only in following His ways that we will find the promised peace and life. The Word here exhorts us to be obedient to God’s commandments, to not forsake them, but bind them around our neck, and write them on the tablet of our heart, meaning to meditate on them, and to actually live them.

Many in Jesus’ day, knew what God required of them...
"And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Jesus) said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, ’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And (Jesus) said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” - Luke 10:25-28

The result of keeping His commandments is Life.


Another man came to the Lord, asking Him which commandment was the greatest...
"Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no other commandment greater than these.”

So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” - Mark 12:29-34

The result of being obedient is inheriting the Kingdom.


These are the things which Moses spoke to Israel after meeting with God upon the mountain (Deut 10:12-13), which are meant for our good. And the Spirit, through the prophet Micah, tells us plainly -

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God." -Mic 6:8

Returning to the Proverb, we read one of the most oft quoted verses in the Old Testament -

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
(vs 5-6)

All throughout the Scripture we read of the benefits of trusting in the Lord and not in ourselves.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD." - Jer 17:7

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him." - Nahum 1:7

As Jesus, John and Baptist, and the Apostles constantly preached in the New Testament, "Repent", so continues the third Proverb -

"Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones."
(vs 7-8)

As we ’turn away’ from the sin in our lives as the Holy Spirit shows us; the things of the Kingdom, as Jesus said to the scribe in Mark 12:34, come upon us. Life, healing, strength, revival. When we cease from our own understanding of what we think is right, and trust in the Lord with all of our heart, and seek His will; He shall direct our paths.

"And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." - Is 58:11

Dear friends, we’ve only just barely touched on the ’meat’ of which this Proverb consists. There is so much more here to digest... perhaps the 3rd of next month. :)


May we come to trust Him in everything, in every aspect of our lives. May we truly come to understand that His plans for us are infinitely greater than we can imagine. Let us acknowledge Him daily, and ask Him each day to guide us, and impart to us His Truth.

Have a blessed day,

Michael


How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding
(vs 13)