(Book study series - Proverbs) - Message no. 9
(August 4, 2021 – WED p.m. – MBC baesa)

PROPOSITION: THOSE WHO PURSUE A WISE LIFE WILL RECEIVE SEVERAL RICH BENEFITS AND BLESSINGS FROM GOD.

This is the third “my son” message and Solomon is going to give his son an important message–gaining God’s wisdom brings great eternal benefits and blessings.

I – THINKING AND OBEYING GOD’S WORD LEADS TO A LONG, PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL LIFE – v.1-2

Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: ²For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”

In Proverbs 1:8 Solomon says, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:". Solomon’s advice to the young, as that of a father to his son. Forgetfulness of God’s law is the fault of the heart, not merely of the head. When the heart keeps God’s precepts as a precious treasure, the memory does not easily forget them. When Solomon challenges his son to not forget his instructions, he is not referring to memory that is defective that can longer remember a certain passage or text; but Solomon is talking here of an intentional wandering away or departing from what is right and what the scriptures says.

In verse 2 we have the phrase “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” The words “length of days” refers to life’s prolongation with the appointed limitation. The words “long life” or “years of life” (NASB; ESV), literally in Hebrew are “years of lives” and these words talks about the full life of prosperity, which we call life in its fullness. Some of the passages that refers to promised of long years and long life when we forget not the Word of God and obey the commandments of God are in Deuteronomy 8:1; Deuteronomy 30:16; Deuteronomy 30:20; Psalm 34:12-19.

Quarreling, luxury, earthly pleasure and gain-seeking, and doubting worries, take away that sobriety and peace of spirit which promote longevity. With all men’s pains to prolong life, they generally neglect the Lord, the true Giver of life and Preserver of life (Job 10:12). The Hebrew of “long life” is plural-literally, years of lives: hinting of the twofold life, that life here and that life hereafter, which is at the Lord’s disposal. If a person loves the God’s law, he received in life the fruit of peace. (Psalms 119:165).

II – TREATING OTHERS WITH PROPER ATTITUDE LEADS TO A FAVORABLE POSITION WITH GOD AND MAN – v.3-4

Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: ⁴So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”

Solomon continues his teachings when he said, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee”, he means never go or do no go anywhere without these graces accompanying thee namely the “Mercy” toward men and the “truth” (sincerity) toward God. Two qualities Solomon wanted firmly implanted in the son’s character were “mercy or loving kindness” and “truth.” These two graces (mercy and truth) comprehend all the duties we owe toward God and man.

The word “mercy” or “lovingkindness” speaks of a loving kind of zeal for another person, especially those who are suffering some kind of misfortune. Combining “mercy” with “truth” is a popular Davidic phrase (Psalm 25:10; Psalm 40:11; Psalm 57:3, 10; 108:4; Psalm 138:2). When we demonstrate lovingkindness or mercy to someone it must always based on truth thus Solomon instructs “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee.”

Then Solomon says, “bind them about thy neck” this not merely as an ornament (Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 5:22), but as something always near and to be kept in view, like a chain hanging from the neck (Proverbs 6:21; Proverbs 7:3; Exodus 6:8; Exodus 13:9; Exodus 13:16; Deuteronomy 11:18), which to refer is made here (Song of Solomon 1:10; Song of Solomon 4:9; Ezekiel 16:11), “Write them upon the table of thine heart” (Jeremiah 17:1; II Corinthians 3:3). The Holy Spirit of God alone can enable us to “write them on the table” that is the tablet of the heart (Jeremiah 31:33).

Then Solomon gives the assuring result when he said “So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Therefore, by keeping “mercy and truth” (verse 3) thou shalt be esteemed before God and man as one of good understanding and therefore you “shalt find favour in the sight of God and man.” The result for one who is willing to make “mercy” or “lovingkindness” and “truth” an intimate part of one’s personality and life will discover that he will find great favor with God and with man. (Exodus 33:12; Exodus 33:17; Luke 1:30, especially our greatest example Jesus Christ in Luke 2:52, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

III – TRUSTING GOD AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIM IN ALL YOUR WAYS LEADS TO SAFE DIRECTION OF GOD – v.5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Leaning into your own understanding cannot preserve thee. God guards against his recommendation of “good understanding” (verse 4), being perverted that other people may have ground for self-reliance. Never forget to begin with the Lord in the pursuit whether of knowledge or wealth, while using all your exertions of your head and hands, mental and manual, always regard God as all-sufficient for you in obtaining every good and avoiding every evil.

To “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” is to rest in the Lord, assuring of the will and power of the Lord to save and help thee in all urgent situations (Psalm 37:7). The actual Hebrew word “trust” conveys the idea of having enough confidence and faith in something that you would cast yourself on something. The idea is trust with your whole person–your intellect, your emotion, and your will. We need to cast every burden on the Lord (Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7) means without double heart (I Chronicles 12:33; James 1:8). Avoid doubts due to any external circumstances, in order for you to lose not fearless trust in God.

The Solomonic charge to “not lean on your own understanding” is “antithetic parallelism” to trusting in the LORD, which is not an exhortation to stop thinking; in fact, it is a challenge to have such an understanding of God and His Word that in every possible circumstance in life you can confidently lean His way. To “lean” upon one’s own understanding is to lean on a broken sharp pointed weapon which will painfully wound the hand, like the nation of Egypt proved when Israel leant on it (II Kings 18:21; Ezekiel 29:7; II Chronicles 14:11). Just stay upon the Lord or rest on the Lord (Isaiah 10:20 “…the remnant of Israel, …shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.” Keep in mind that man’s own understanding is not to be trusted in, as being weakened and corrupted, at the same time that it is puffed up with pride, ever since the fall. That is what is written in Isaiah 47:10 “Thy wisdom and thy knowledge it hath perverted thee;” also in Jeremiah 10:23 “The way of man is not in himself.”

Solomon also teaches in verse 6 “in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” The phrase “acknowledge Him” is by referring all our ways to God’s will, trusting in God’s power, wisdom, providence, goodness, righteousness, and having a feeling that without God, we can do nothing. Always keep God’s glory in view, always give Him the glory whatsoever you think or do, in all your ways, never forget to attribute all your blessing to God alone, and to God give thanks for everything. Remember this, the promise follows the precept. You will never be disappointed in your confidence, whereby you consult God in all things before taking steps. The word “direct” means to make something straight or smooth by removing all obstacles. The Lord will guide you to all holiness and all happiness. This the formula for success: the first three are man’s responsibility, first- Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; second- lean not unto thine own understanding; third- in all thy ways acknowledge Him; and the last fourth is God’s promise- and He shall direct thy paths. You must first do your three's responsibilities and God will do His promise to direct your paths. Amen!

IV – TENDING TO YOURSELF WITH PROPER ATTITUDE LEADS TO A HEALTHY PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL LIFE – v.7-8

Proverbs 3:7-8 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. ⁸It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

Solomon’s teaches “Be not wise in thine own eyes” (Paul also said that Romans 12:16). Do not think so highly of thine own wisdom as to think thou can stand independently without the wisdom of God (Isaiah 5:21). Contrast that in Psalms 131:1; 1 Corinthians 8:1-2; Galatians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 3:18 Paul says,"If any man seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise".

Solomon adds, “Fear the Lord,” for being wise in one’s own eyes”. In Romans 11:20 Paul says, “Be not high-minded, but fear”. It is “by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6), that was Job did (Job 1:1). Listen, these two, fearing the Lord and departing from evil, are the true way of obtaining the free gift of salvation from God.

After mentioning the fear of the Lord, Solomon in verse 8 used the word “it” speaking of the obedient “fear of the Lord’ just described in verse 7. Now, the plasters and medical ointments are often applied to the person for healing purposes. The navel is the channel of supplying nutriment to the infant in the womb. The navel also denotes the whole belly, with the intestines near it as the softer parts of the body. While the bones on the other hand, is the harder part of the body. The navel and the bones represent the whole frame. Now, the fear of the Lord nourishes alike the inner graces and powers of the spiritual life and the outer operations of it. And the word “marrow” literally moistening. In reference to the marrow, which is the vital moisture of the bones (Job 21:24) end; which is in contrast what is described in Psalm 103:2; Proverbs 17:22).

The words used by Solomon used concerning healing in verse 8, actually speaks to us that the humble spirit will have some firm and stable effect on your nerves. Trusting in God and not ourselves is medicinal that brings physical benefits including psychological and physiological energy and stimulation. There are real physical benefits gained from obeying God’s Word with fear and departing from evil ways of life.

IV - TESTING YOURSELF AND TREATING GOD PROPERLY IN OFFERING LEADS TO GREAT FINANCIAL PROSPERITY – v.9-10

Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: ¹⁰So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

We can apply what Solomon is saying in verse 9, “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:” by means of offering freely gifts of God’s service (Exodus 23:19; Malachi 3:7-14). The idea behind the word “honor” is that of weight, acknowledging the proper weight of God with your substance. Giving is not about money, giving is about God. Solomon is teaching and addressing the son to see to it that he continually gives his money to the work of God. Notice carefully that the motivation for giving is not get more and desire more but to honor God. Without any doubt that the general principle of the whole Bible is that God will give you money if you will give money to Him (Deut. 28:1-14; Malachi 3:10; II Corinthians 9:6). Giving the offerings to the Lord (verse 9) is another part of the worship of God, besides those just enumerated namely (Not forgetting and obeying God’s Word (verse 1); trusting God with all your heart (verse 5); and fearing the Lord and departing from evil (verse 7). If you did these things enumerated, is it hard to brings your offering to God in worship service? David would not offer burnt offerings unto the Lord his God of that which cost him nothing (II Samuel 24:24). As an evidence that God wants our love, Yahweh complains of Israel’s niggardliness, meanness, or selfishness toward God (Isaiah 43:23-24). If you truly honor God not by lips only, you must have mercy on the poor (Proverbs 14:31).

Notice interestingly, the words of Solomon in verse 10 “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” This very much far from becoming poorer by giving honor to the Lord out of thy substance (verse 9), therefore you shall become abundantly enriched with all manner of meat and drink. That is why, during the time of Hezekiah, the high priest named Azariah said, "Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty, for the Lord hath blessed His people, and that which is left is this great store" (II Chronicles 31:10). The same in the case of Haggai, you work for nothing left if you give nothing to the Lord’s work (Haggai 1:6; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 1:13; Haggai 2:15). The same God’s principle of giving first to the Lord in the life of the widow of Zarephath (I kings 17:8-16), trusting God for everything, treating Him properly with our treasures and the abundance overflows.