WISE WAY IN LIFE
PROVERBS 3:1-10
(December 29, 2019 – SUN a.m. – MBC baesa)

• Solomon is going to give his son an important lesson to learn that attaining the wisdom of God resulted to a great eternal benefits and blessings. This is the third of Solomon message to his son.

I- PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SCRIPTURES OF GOD – v.1-2
Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”
• In verse 1, Solomon challenges his son “My son, forget no my law;”
→ This is not referring to a memory that does not work correctly by not remembering a certain bible verse, but Solomon is talking about wandering away or getting away from what is right. Instead of living out the Word they leave away from the Word.
• In verse 2, the words “length of days” refers to length of time of life until the appointed limit.
• In verse 2, the words “years of life” or “long life” in Hebrew literally means “years of lives” which means a life in its fullness or full of prosperity.
• It is possible for the unsaved person to live a long life, however it is not possible for anyone to live a life full of prosperity or a life in its fullness without obedience to God’s Word.

II- PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD – 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: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
• A proper attitude toward other people can find a favorable reputation in the sight of God and man.
• Solomon wanted his son’s character with two qualities: mercy or lovingkindness and truth or faithfulness.
• The word “mercy” in KJV; “kindness” in NASB; “love” in ESV, speaks of a loving kind of enthusiasm for others, especially for those who are experiencing misfortune level of living.
• In verse 3 the two words “mercy and truth” is a combination that is a well-known Davidic phrase – Psalm 25:10; Psalm 40:11; Psalm 57:3, 10; Psalm 108:4; Psalm 138:2.
→ Showing lovingkindness and mercy to others is always based on truth.
Whosoever willing to make “mercy or “lovingkindness” and “truth” as an innermost part of an individual’s life will find out that he will attained a great favor or high regard in the eyes of God and man.

III- PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND TRUST ON THE SOVEREIGN GOD – v.5-6
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
• An extreme confidence on God will result to sovereign, secured and safety direction of God.
• In verse 5 the word “trust” in the Hebrew “bə·ṭaḥ” means to have confidence, be confident; to be bold; to be secure; to cause to trust, make secure; to feel safe. It is an idea of having enough faith in something that causes you to cast yourself on that something.
• In verse 5, Solomon says “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;” the very thought is having faith with your whole being that includes your intellect, your emotion and your will.
• Again in verse 5, Solomon command to “lean not unto thine own understanding” does not exhort us to stop thinking, rather it is a challenge to have an understanding about God and His Holy Word in order for us to always trust His perfect way in every possible circumstances that occur in our paths.
→ Trust God entirely with all thine heart, trust God exclusively by not depending on yourself, trust God extensively in every circumstances of life.
• In verse 6 the word “direct” in Hebrew “ye·ya·sher” means to be smooth, to be straight, or to be right; to be pleasing, be agreeable. It has an idea to make something straight or smooth by removing all obstacles.

IV – PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD SELF AND GOD – v.7-8
     A. Produces Physical and Spiritual Healthy Life – v.7-8
Psalm 3:7-8 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”
• This passage teaches us that physical and spiritual healthiness were a result of having a proper attitude toward yourself and God. View yourself like how God viewed you.
• The Bible warns us of wrong attitude toward yourself: -Isaiah 5:21, Romans 1:22, Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 3:18
• The Bible warns us of wrong attitude of forgetting who God is: - Deuteronomy 8:11; Deuteronomy 6:12; Psalm 103:2-5; Psalm 78:5-7; Psalm 9:17; Psalm 50:22.
• Success and prosperity in life is very dangerous once you forgets who gave you the success and prosperity.
• In verse 8 of our text the words “it shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Indicating healing.
→ This sense of healing is due to spirit of humility that actually gives effective healing by energizing or becalm the nerves.
→ Only trust God and not yourself will serve as a medicine, providing various physical benefits including to vitalize, stimulate, and invigorate the psychological and physiological condition.
     B. Provides Financial Prosperity in Life – v.9-10
Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”
• This passage teaches us that financial prosperity were a result of having a proper attitude toward yourself and God.
• To conclude if a person is genuinely willing to trust God in everything is when that person facing one of the great tests which is the test of finances. If God could not trust you in small amount how can God trust you in great amount.
• In verse 9 the word “Honour” in Hebrew “kabbed” means to be heavy, be weighty, be hard, be rich, be glorious, be honoured. It has an idea of weight, acknowledging the proper weight of God with your substance.
• Solomon here in our text is exhorting and teaching his son to be surely consistent in giving his money to the work of God. All givers are not losers. God loveth a cheerful givers.
→ God promised He will abundantly supply and prosper whosoever live this wise way.
• Notice the word in verse 9 “Honour the Lord with thy substance”
→ The true motivation and encouragement for giving is to honor God not to get more from God.
• The General basic biblical principle is that God will give money to those who give money to God – Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6