proverbs 3

Read Proverbs 3 at Bible Gateway.

Pro 3:1-18 {p} The excellency of wisdom: her proceeds are life, peace, health, prosperity
Pro 3:19-35 {p} Keep wisdom + uprightness before the eyes + path/ end of wise/righteous + foolish/wicked

Pro 3:1-18 chiastic structure:

1a) Pro 3:1-10, Fear the LORD + keep His commands = length of days + provision;

1) Pro 3:1-8, Fear the LORD + trust in the LORD = length of days + peace;

1a) Pro 3:1-4, Do not forget or forsake my torah = length of days + peace;

1a) Pro 3:1-4, My son, do not forget my law (torah) but let your heart keep my commands;
central axis) Pro 3:2, For length of days + long life + peace they will add to you;
2a) Pro 3:3-4, Let not mercy + truth forsake you {n} / bind them to you + so find favor;

1b) Pro 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart + lean not on your own understanding;
central axis) Pro 3:6, In all your ways acknowledge Him + He shall direct your paths;
2b) Pro 3:7a, Do not be wise in your own eyes;
2a) Pro 3:7b-8, Fear the LORD + depart from evil = health + strength to your flesh + bones;

2) Pro 3:9-10, Honor the LORD with your possessions + firstfruits = provision;

1b) Pro 3:11, My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction;

central axis) Pro 3:12a {n} For whom the Lord loves He corrects;

2b) Pro 3:12b, Just as a father the son in whom he delights;

2a) Pro 3:13-18 {p} Wisdom = proceeds of peace + length of days and riches;

1a) Pro 3:13, Happy is the man who finds wisdom + who gains understanding;
1b) Pro 3:14a, For her proceeds;
1c) Pro 3:14b-15, Are better than silver + fine gold/ more precious than rubies + nothing compares;
central axis) Pro 3:16a, Length of days is in her right hand;
2c) Pro 3:16b, In her left hand riches and honor;
2b) Pro 3:17, Her ways are ways of pleasantness + her paths are peace;
2a) Pro 3:18 {p} She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her + happy are all who retain her.

Interesting and life-giving truths revealed by the structure:

If someone fears the LORD, they will keep His commandments in Torah, and it is this obedience that equals wisdom;

If someone pursues obedience + honoring the LORD, they do not need to pursue long life or riches or honor, for those material things needful for the body are automatically attached;

Not forgetting Torah means not forsaking mercy and truth;

The Hebrew of “acknowledge” is simply, “to know,” Strong’s H3045. It should read, “In all your ways take knowledge of Him.” In other words, as you are walking in your way, know what He has said about the worthy way of walking, which is contained in commandments in Torah, and so that He becomes the One who directs your path. That is how we do not lean on faulty human wisdom or our own understanding, for obedience requires trust in the LORD, that He has revealed the most excellent course.

The Old Testament is full of the declarations of the love of God for His children (vs. 12), so don’t let anyone tell you the God of the Old Testament is angry and judgmental while the God of the New Testament is loving and forgiving. That concept stems from ignorance of what is actually written in the Old Testament;

The proceeds of wisdom are pleasantness and peace. That is why her proceeds are better than silver and gold (besides the fact that with wisdom comes long life, riches, and honor). There are many rich people in the world who are miserable, which makes their riches worthless. If you have retained wisdom (one part of which is a heart free from the lust of it), you can have riches and honor without it corrupting you or going to your head. ♥