The Ways of Wisdom (Proverbs 3)

Introduction

Biblical Timeline

United Kingdom under the Kings of Saul, David, and Solomon.

Solomon

Wisdom from the Lord.

1 Kings 3:9 (ESV)

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

When Solomon became King he sought the Lord for wisdom and understanding.

1 Kings 3:10–12 (ESV)

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

God granted to Solomon wisdom beyond all others.

Solomon wrote wisdom literature

Solomon wrote or added to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

Wisdom Literature

Wisdom - wisdom (ability) n., ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Wisdom literature in the Bible: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

Listen to Wisdom (3:1-4)

Listen (1,3)

Proverbs 3:1 (ESV)

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

command n., an authoritative direction or instruction to do something; through speech or writing (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Not only listen to wisdom, but hold to it and be changed by it.

Proverbs 3:3 (ESV)

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Steadfast Love and Faithfulness - loyal love n., an unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness; often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Bind and write

Bind - to tie v., to fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“One is a comparison of living out the duties and responsibilities taught with binding a chain around the neck, and the other is a comparison of the inward appropriation of the teachings with writing them on a tablet. So the teachings are not only to become the lifestyle of the disciple but his very nature.” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Why (2,4)

Long life and well-being (2)

Proverbs 3:2 (ESV)

2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Favor and good success (4)

Proverbs 3:4 (ESV)

4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

good success - understanding (condition) n., the cognitive condition of someone who understands (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Proverbs 3:4 (NET 2nd ed.)

4 Then you will find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and people.

Obedience to Wisdom (3:5-10)

Trust the Lord (5-8)

Trust Him (5)

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

to trust (faith) v., to have a strong confidence or reliance upon someone or something. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Acknowledge Him (6)

Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Acknowledge - to acknowledge v., to accept (someone) to be what is claimed. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“Heb “know him.” The verb יָדַע (yadah, “to know”) includes mental awareness of who God is and the consequential submission to his lordship. To know him is to obey him. The sage is calling for a life of trust and obedience in which the disciple sees the LORD in every event and relies on him. To acknowledge the LORD in every event means trusting and obeying him for guidance in right conduct.” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Fear Him (7-8)

Proverbs 3:7–8 (ESV)

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Fear - to fear (reverence) v., to regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“If one fears the LORD and turns away from evil, then he is depending on the LORD and not wise in his own eyes.” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Honor the Lord (9-10)

Proverbs 3:9–10 (ESV)

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Honor the Lord with your wealth (9)

Honor - Glory or respect: worship owed to God as the sovereign creator and redeemer. (McKim, Donald K. The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms. Second Edition, Revised and Expanded. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014. Print.)

wealth - wealth n., an abundance of material possessions and resources (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.) More than just Money

Firstfruits - The noun תְּבוּאָה (tévu’ah) has a two-fold range of meaning: (1) “product; yield” of the earth (= crops; harvest) and (2) “income; revenue” in general. The imagery in vv. 9–10 is agricultural; however, all Israelites—not just farmers—were expected to give the best portion (= first fruits) of their income to LORD. (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Lord’s Blessing (10)

God will bless us by making sure we have what we need, but is graciously giving us above and beyond our needs.

Submit to Wisdom (3:11-12)

Submit to correction (11)

Proverbs 3:11 (ESV)

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

Lord’s Discipline - discipline (training) n., training to improve strength or self-control (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Reproof - rebuke n., an act or expression of criticism and censure (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Correction is from Love (12)

Proverbs 3:12 (ESV)

for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Love - to love (care) v., to have a great affection or care for or loyalty towards. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Like a parent’s discipline of their child because their love and desire for the child to grow healthy.

Treasure of Wisdom (3:13-26)

Blessed through Wisdom (13-15)

Proverbs 3:13–15 (ESV)

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Blessed - blessed (favored) adj., highly favored or fortunate; as by divine grace. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Wisdom - wisdom (ability) n., ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Understanding - understanding (condition) n., the cognitive condition of someone who understands (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Benefits of Wisdom (16-18)

Proverbs 3:16–18 (ESV)

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Good long Life (16)

The general teaching is that if we live a wise life through Godly choices and actions we should experience a long life full of riches and honor. These were the things in the OT that we seen as a good life (long life, wealth and honor).

honor - honor (quality) n., the quality of being honorable and having a good name. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Peace (17)

Pleasantness - beauty n., the qualities that give pleasure to the senses (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Peace - harmonious relations and freedom from disputes; especially during the absence of war. (Biblical Sense)

Creation with Wisdom (19-21)

Proverbs 3:19–21 (ESV)

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,

It was through God’s wisdom that he created this fine tuned universe.

The Proverbs personifies Wisdom as someone to seek after and gain counsel from

Security with wisdom (22-26)

Proverbs 3:22–26 (ESV)

and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Walk securely (23)

we will conduct our lives in a way that will not lead to disaster.

“security (state) n., the state of being free from danger or injury. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Lie down in Peace (24)

“when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

Confidence in life because of God. (26)

We can live life confidently because we are living to honor God and He is our strength, protection, and security.

Application of Wisdom (3:27-35)

Do not wrong your Neighbor (27-30)

Proverbs 3:27–30 (ESV)

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

Live peaceably with those around you.

Do not envy a violent man (31-35)

Proverbs 3:31–35 (ESV)

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.

The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Man of Violence - The noun חָמָס (khamas, “violence”) functions as an attributive genitive. The word itself means “violence, wrong” (HALOT 329 s.v.) and refers to physical violence, social injustice, harsh treatment, wild ruthlessness, injurious words, hatred, and general rudeness (BDB 329 s.v.). (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Psalm 1:1–2 (ESV)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

The Lord responds to people differently based upon their actions.

“The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.”

Lessons from Wisdom

We are to live life with understanding and wisdom.

Wisdom - wisdom (ability) n., ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding starts with the Lord.

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We should seek to gain understanding from the Lord. He gives generously to those who seek Him.

God’s wisdom is intensely practical, applying to every aspect of his people’s lives. A proper relation to God involves, first, trying hard to understand his truth, and then embracing and obeying what one understands.

A life lived by God’s wisdom is a happy life.

A life lived by God’s wisdom is a useful life.

A life lived by God’s wisdom does not just happen; one must seek after it, study, pursue it, and discipline oneself.

Such a life is available to those who go after it. (Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008. Print.; Edited “will” to “wisdom”)

Benediction

Colossians 3:16-17 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.