Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

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Proverbs 3

Guidance for the Young

Proverbs 3:¹ My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;

• One of Solomon’s sons will take the throne to succeed him. The only son which comes to the forefront is Rehoboam who stepped into his father’s shoes at his death. However; he was not merciful and lost 10 tribes of Judah.

Proverbs 3:² For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 3:³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,

• Jeremiah 31:31 A New Covenant “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—
• Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
• Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Proverbs 3:⁴ And so find favor and high esteem (Lit. good understanding)
In the sight of God (‘ĕlōhîm) and man.

Proverbs 3:⁵ Trust in the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;

• Ask God before making choices.
  Relax, Go with “His” flow.
  Then, trust Him.
  
• Saying: “Trust starts with truth and ends with truth.”
  • John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Proverbs 3:⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths (Or make smooth or straight).

• The Way of the Lord directs the Way of man in Wisdom.
• There are two ways: The way of Jacob and the way of Esau. After Jacob and Esau met to make amends, Esau went the way of Mt. Seir (literally the mountain of demons) and Jacob went to Succoth (a place of booths: to tabernacle with God)
• Jesus is the “Way”, the ONLY “way” to the Father. John 14:6

Proverbs 3:⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) and depart from evil.

v7	Do not be wise in your own eyes

Proverbs 3:⁸ It will be health to your flesh (Body, lit. navel),
And strength (Lit. drink) to your bones.

Proverbs 3:⁹ Honor the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

Proverbs 3:¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

• The more you give…the more you get.

Proverbs 3:¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ),
Nor detest His correction;

v11	Do not despise the correction of the Lord

Proverbs 3:¹² For whom the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;

Proverbs 3:¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.

Proverbs 3:¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

Proverbs 3:¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.

Proverbs 3:¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.

Proverbs 3:¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her (hold her fast).

• The tree of life is Jesus who is able to give man eternal life through the Holy Spirit of living water.
  • Revelation 7:17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Proverbs 3:¹⁹ The Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;

• Why did God say “it is good” or “it is very good” each day during creation in Genesis chapter one?
  
  Answer: Because the heavens and the earth were being prepared to run perfectly and smoothly for human habitation. When finished, God would have a universal “factory” for a healthy, whole, and happy place (without defect), for mankind to live. On each day of creation He declared “It is good”.
  
  He made the universe by instituting His morality, laws, boundaries, species, etc for a society that runs like a well oiled machine, and by well-oiled, I mean an anointing by the Holy Spirit.
  
  Anything man does contrary to God’s specifications throws a monkey wrench into the machine and causes the cogs and gears to break down, rusting without oil, finally ending in a destroyed planet and a destroyed people.

• Who created the heavens and the earth?
  
  • Ephesians 3:9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
    
  • Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
    

The Creator created Himself, in the flesh

Proverbs 3:²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.

Proverbs 3:²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

Proverbs 3:²² So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.

• A necklace of beauty, studded with gems of wisdom and discretion; made of gold, which, like trust will never rust.

Proverbs 3:²³ Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.

Proverbs 3:²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

• Proverbs 3 is attributed to “Solomon the son of David, the king of Israel”. It is easy for kings to become paranoid of everyone around them who may want to kill them and take their throne. The best example was king Saul who persecuted David his loyal servant.
• One of the reasons Solomon was a great king was because he was able to escape this trap and enjoy many relationships. His wisdom held true in the way he was able to relate to others.

Proverbs 3:²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

Proverbs 3:²⁶ For the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.

Below is a list of how Solomon chose to relate with his neighbors and others:

Proverbs 3:²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due (Lit. its owners),
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Proverbs 3:²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.

Proverbs 3:²⁹ Do not devise raʿ (evil) against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

Proverbs 3:³⁰ Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

Proverbs 3:³¹ Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;

v27	Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due
v29	Do not devise evil against your neighbor
v30	Do not strive with a man without cause
v31	Do not envy the oppressor (corrupt person) to join him

Proverbs 3:³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ),
But His secret counsel is with the upright.

• The perverse person does not know God’s secret wisdoms, hidden from men in the darkness where men cannot see. God brings them out one by one to those who have God’s Light, to those who have eyes to see.

Proverbs 3:³³ The curse of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.

• Solomon gives his son a list of “do nots” but in verse 3 he encourages him to embrace truth and mercy. Mercy is the by product of love.

Proverbs 3:³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.

• To be humble is to be “real”, the person God made you to be with His God-given gifts. The prideful puff themselves up to be more than God made them. The humble have their dignity but the prideful have oppressive pride.

Proverbs 3:³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.