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 1 of this chapter? Chapter 3 is promising 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. 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 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.” First Corinthians 1 verse 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 is therefore looking at man’s search for wisdom’s benefits. You find the LORD Jesus Christ, you find everything. Yes, everything. “Blessed are those who find wisdom.”
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