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Proverbs 3 Commentary

Lean Not On Your Understanding

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KEY THOUGHT: And lean not on your own understanding. [Proverbs 3:5b NKJV]

Kindly read your Bible before going through the commentary!

Proverbs 3 NKJV

Guidance for the Young

3 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and [a]high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall [b]direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your [c]flesh,
And strength[d] to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who [e]retain her.

19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
22 So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from [f]those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
34 Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 3:4 Lit. good understanding
b. Proverbs 3:6 Or make smooth or straight
c. Proverbs 3:8 Body, lit. navel
d. Proverbs 3:8 Lit. drink
e. Proverbs 3:18 hold her fast
f. Proverbs 3:27 Lit. its owners

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 3 Commentary

Many have argued that the Book of Proverbs isn’t about hard and straight equations. Rather, it is a collection of general principles for righteous living. This conclusion is encouraged by human observations.

For keeping God’s commands, the disciple Stephen’s life was violently cut short. His fellow disciples scattered and lived in caves away from their families in fear.

How does this saint’s all-too-familiar lifestyle compare with verse 2 of this chapter? Chapter 3 promises heaven for the righteous man: long life, peace, prosperity, favor in the sight of God and man, good health, profitability, and guidance.

Let’s check it again. What do we have to say about the observed realities of the Christian walk?

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” There are times when what is not said becomes more important than what is said. Could this statement also mean that there is a way that appears wrong, but in the end, it leads to life? Consequently, could it be true to say that what we think of as failure could be a real success in the sight of the LORD God?

Let’s check the promise of long life as an example. Stephen’s righteousness didn’t achieve for him long life, but eternity! His righteousness overperformed! In this way, God’s word remains unchanged, both in print and in performance!

There is also a no little matter of the mention of the tree of life. Verse 18. Think of the tree of life as recorded in the Book of Genesis. Hold on to the commands of the LORD, and you have access to the tree of life. You immediately know you are looking at something rigidly fixed in concrete. It is special!

So it remains true, hold on to the wisdom of God, and you have more than a long life. Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God. “But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24.

But there is also something of a poster verse in this chapter that unlocks these thoughts: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Could this be a call to have no trust in our own definition of prosperity and peace? Probably yes. Let the LORD define prosperity and peace for the saint.

Wisdom, translated as the LORD Jesus Christ by the New Testament, is more profitable than silver and gold, more precious than rubies. Nothing a man desires can compare with Wisdom. He is the desire of ages!

This chapter, therefore, looks at man’s search for wisdom’s benefits. You find the LORD Jesus Christ; you find everything. Yes, everything.

Loving Scripture….

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24 thoughts on “Home”

  1. It has been exciting learning how God can make things happen to his choosen one, God workout something wonderful and fulfils the promises he made to the father of Joseph.

    God’s words remains true so are his promises and indeed it has been God working out the salvation of man Kind by Grace through Faith alone.

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  11. Profound. My life needs a new introduction to God. Not that I have been right, but because God desires to help me… I see an amazing Grace here. Having broken the first commandment, still God looks for me and helps me to build up with him… And live for him. A littles knowledge of the Lord will ignite my passion and desire to serve him. This morning I pledge to seek, live and serve the Lord Jesus Christ and His purposes everyday of my life.
    Beautiful lesson

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  12. The Lord reintroduces himself and shows Israel, He is all they need. Some boast in horses and others in chariots but we’ll boast in the Lord. He is able and the only one worthy of our trust. Lord teach me how to always look up to you at all times and not focus on my strength or capabilities. This is my prayer

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  14. This far too common today. Just do something that seems like true worship yet it’s intent and actual practice is not even close to the set standard by the Lord. I personally feel challenged of some things we do in our personal lives, the focus of many churches and ministries today. We’ll need to realize the Lord must be worship as he has personally guided. Provides a good start of my reflection today

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  15. In those days when there was no King everyone did as they pleased. This is a good reminder to us that we are on own when the King of Kings isn’t leading our lives we’ll be doing what is not right and the results will show clearly how life without Christ looks like. We thank God that even when it looks like he’s not there, he’s behind the scenes working. I have learnt to trust in the Lord always.

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  16. Iam seeing this being stressed… There was no King in Israel… So lawlessness is the order of the day. This shows how heartless and wicked man can be with out the right King in his life. He can do anything. May the Lord help us to allow Christ in our lives that every aspect of our lives is changed and we yield ourselves to him alone.

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  17. I’m sure as the two daughters in-law stayed in Naomi’s home they learned about the God of Israel and appreciated His works among his people. Ruth’s determination and what she says moves my heart. She’s convinced she must go with Naomi and wants to spend her life with her, this relationship was strong especially between a mother inlaw and a daughter in-law. Yet Ruth stays and how she puts it shows the depth of her heart, I’ll go with with you, your people will be my people, your God will be my God…

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