The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 3rd on Proverbs 3:5-10

March 3rd?   Read Proverbs 3!




[Please note: The first two paragraphs below are repeated each day for new readers.  My amateur comments are offered below each of today's verses from Proverbs.]

Have you ever noticed that, like most months have 31 days, the Book of Proverbs has 31 chapters?  Fascinating right?  Well, it is at least interesting, and coincidentally beneficial to those who would like to read a portion of thought provoking scripture every day of the month.  You might like to read the calendar coordinated chapter from Proverbs every day this month (I've included the whole chapter below!) and then see if my comments on a few of those verses line up with your own observations.  My plan is to go through the year, writing my response to about one seventh of each chapter's verses every day, during each of the 7 months that have 31 days.  Clear as mud?  That's what I thought.

I hope you check in, and leave a comment.  Especially if I say something really off base and need to be corrected, because, as we will learn this month on the 27th, Proverbs 27:5 says
               "Better is open rebuke than hidden love."   

Proverbs 3:5-10




5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;




5)  This verse may be the most commonly quoted from the book of Proverbs, if not from the whole Bible!  It contains, does it not, the very crux of all that God wishes to convey to us: 




A  We are a fallen people
    1) Our own 'understanding' is unreliable
B  God is not 'fallen'
    1)  His 'understanding' is reliable
C   We can/should/must rely on God for all we need
    1) God has provided for our salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ
    2) We would be wise to put all the trust of our hearts in Him, instead of in ourselves.




6 In all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.




6)  And God is our benefactor in regards to more than "just" our salvation.  He offers us wisdom and direction and guidance for every area of our lives, if we but humble ourselves enough to ask!




7  Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD and shun evil.




7)   A reiteration and restatement of verses 5 and 6, but with an added piece of bonus advice.  Shunning evil should be a no brainer, but we know there are too many who pursue evil.




8  This will bring health to your body
   and nourishment to your bones.




8)  I love a portion of scripture (vs. 5-7) that come with a specific promise attached.  Maybe I should produce an infomercial that packages this advice and its guaranteed result!  But then again, as Abraham told the rich man in Hades; 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not e convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'
I guess I might conclude then, that they would not listen to God's word even if it was sold ("A DOUBLE DOSE if you call in the next 10 minutes!") on an infomercial.


9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;


9) Here is an early command regarding our need to give God a tithe. And the following verse carries another attached promise God gives to us.


10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.


10) This has nothing to do with the so-called 'prosperity gospel'; the idea that God wants nothing more for us than to see us all filthy rich! No. He simply wants us to show our confidence is in Him, and to assure us that HE will do the taking care of US.

from hparkumc.org

Proverbs 3

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you peace and prosperity.


3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name

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 submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]


7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.


9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.


11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,

and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

as a father the son he delights in.[b]


13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,

those who gain understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver

and yields better returns than gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways,

and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;

those who hold her fast will be blessed.


19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,

by understanding he set the heavens in place;

20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,

and the clouds let drop the dew.


21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,

preserve sound judgment and discretion;

22 they will be life for you,

an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster

or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the LORD will be at your side

and will keep your foot from being snared.


27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to act.

28 Do not say to your neighbor,

“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—

when you already have it with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,

who lives trustfully near you.

30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—

when they have done you no harm.


31 Do not envy the violent

or choose any of their ways.


32 For the LORD detests the perverse

but takes the upright into his confidence.

33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 He mocks proud mockers

but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

35 The wise inherit honor,

but fools get only shame.


Footnotes:
Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths
Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child