Healthy Choices for Spiritual Discipline

Proverbs 3:11-18

3:11–12. The God who can be trusted to smooth out obstacles and bring one to his appointed goal (vv. 5–6) and to supply one’s material needs (vv. 9–10) demonstrates His love by discipline. The warning to the son (cf. vv. 1, 21) is twofold: do not despise (“reject or take lightly”) the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent (“loathe or abhor”) His rebuke (see comments on 1:23 and cf. Job 5:17; Heb. 12:5–6). Physical punishment and verbal correction are hard to accept but they demonstrate God’s loving concern. The same is true of a parent’s discipline of his children (cf. Deut. 8:15). Loathing such discipline—thinking that God disciplines because He enjoys causing pain—overlooks the benefits that come from such correction.

Appreciate the Lord and do not misunderstand His discipline for it Leads to spiritual maturity

The discipline of the Lord is the other side of his grace. Grace- used to describe God or cries in their merciful, character, or actions towards humankind in the new testament. It’s an underserved favor of God for the unworthy

3:13–15. Because wisdom brings happiness (blessed; cf. v. 18 and see comments on Ps. 1:1) and because wealth often does not bring genuine happiness (Ecc. 5:10–12), wisdom’s value far exceeds the worth of precious metals such as silver … gold, and also rubies (cf. Prov. 8:10–11, 19). The words profitable and yields better returns (lit., “brings a higher yield”) are the language of a trader or investor. What wisdom returns to her possessor is of greater value than anything gold or silver can purchase. 3:16–18. Wisdom, personified as a woman, gives with both hands, that is, generously. Her right hand gives longevity (cf. v. 2) and from her left hand she gives riches (what silver and gold can purchase) and more (viz., honor; cf. v. 4; 4:8; 8:18; 21:21; 22:4). Besides giving a long life (3:16; see comments on v. 2), wisdom also provides a quality life: pleasantness and peace (šālôm; see comments on v. 2). Long life with no thought for its quality could be a curse rather than a blessing. (On ways and paths; cf. v. 6 and see comments on 2:13, 15.)