Read Proverbs 3:1–12
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Proverbs 3:1 address the reader? What does verse 1a set over-against verse 1b? What will this father’s commands add to him in Proverbs 3:2? What (and Whose!) attributes do they keep close (Proverbs 3:3a)? How close (verse 3b–c)? What is their relation to his identity (verse 3b)? To his intellect/affections/will (verse 3c)? With whom do they bring him into favor (Proverbs 3:4)? Whom is he trusting, if the commands control the heart (Proverbs 3:5a, cf. Proverbs 3:1b)? How much? What mustn’t he be relying upon (Proverbs 3:5b, cf. Proverbs 3:7a)? What (Whom!) must he know (Proverbs 3:6a, cf. Proverbs 3:7b)? In how many of his paths? Who will straighten whose ways (Proverbs 3:6b)? From what will this straight, safe path of knowing and fearing the Lord depart (Proverbs 3:7b)? What blessing comes this way (Proverbs 3:8)? In what other area of life is knowing/fearing/honoring the Lord the way (Proverbs 3:9a)? By what action (verse 9b)? And with what result (Proverbs 3:10)? But, possibly, what short-term result (Proverbs 3:11)? And why would a believer experience this short-term result (Proverbs 3:12)?
Why does God address believers as children? Proverbs 3:1–12 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God addresses believers as His children, because that is what He is making them, in Christ.
Children Directed and Disciplined by Their Heavenly Father. Again, we hear the now-familiar refrain, “My son” (Proverbs 3:1, Proverbs 3:11). And we finally have it confirmed that this isn’t just because the book is from a father to a son. It is divine Scripture that addresses us as sons (Proverbs 3:11-12; cf. Hebrews 12:5–6). In fatherly love and delight in them, God gives His sons discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12) and instruction (Proverbs 3:1) to give them a long (eternal!) and blessed life (Proverbs 3:2; cf. Deuteronomy 5:16, Ephesians 6:1–4).
Children Developing into the Image of Their Heavenly Father. When God addresses us as children, it is in part because He is intent upon making us to be like Himself (cf. Hebrews 12:10, Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 3:2–3; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4–5). This is the point when Proverbs 3:3 tells us that His Word adorns us (verse 3b) with mercy and truth (verse 3a) and conforms us to mercy and truth (verse 3c). This “mercy and truth” are covenant love and covenant faithfulness, the same words used to describe that in which God abounds (end of Exodus 34:6). These were how Jesus Himself was identified as God the Son (cf. John 1:14). As they marked Him as a baby, then a toddler, then a little child, then a youth, mercy and truth gained Him favor with God and with men (cf. Luke 2:52). It is thus with all His children (Proverbs 3:4). It will be thus with you, if by His discipline and instruction, He conforms you to the image of His Son!
Children Depending upon Their Heavenly Father. Trusting in YHWH with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5a) doesn’t just mean trusting Him intensely; it means trusting in nothing else. Not even our own understanding (verse 5b). Especially not our own understanding! We must indulge only that understanding that is from Him, that is according to His Word, and never that which is merely our own. v6a is a command to know Him in all our ways. There must be nothing in our lives that is apart from knowing Him. Everything according to His Word. Everything in dependence upon Him. Everything before His face, in fellowship with Him. Everything unto His glory.
This is the method by which YHWH straightens our paths (Proverbs 3:6b), the way by which He makes our paths upright, the way by which He takes us straight to everlasting blessedness. The long days of Proverbs 3:2a are not just in this world; they are everlasting life. The peace of verse 2b isn’t just shalom in every way in this life and this world; it is the blessedness of God Himself. The physical health and strength of Proverbs 3:8 isn’t just in this life, but genuine, physical health and strength in the resurrection forever—and spiritual health and strength of a glorified soul animating, and expressing itself through—our glorified body forever and ever.
So, we must be especially wary of being wise in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:7a). If we lean on our own understanding, then we will walk in evil (verse 7b). Instead, we must fear Him and depart from it. Depending entirely upon Him doesn’t mean merely trusting Him to do what is right. It means trusting Him that what He says for us to do is right.
Children Devoted to, and Delighted in, Their Heavenly Father. Proverbs 3:9 teaches us to be good children of the LORD, Who has given us everything. Honoring Him as Father (Proverbs 3:9a, cf. Deuteronomy 5:16) means recognizing that all that we are and all that we have is a gift from Him (Proverbs 3:9b). “Firstfruits” is not just chronological (the initial produce) or qualitative (the best produce). It is recognition that we belong entirely to Him; we are indebted entirely to Him. So, we are to honor Him even, and especially, with our wealth (verse 9, cf. Mark 7:10–12). We must handle wealth, including all money and property, as belonging to the Lord.
The promise of Proverbs 3:10 is real, for this life and the next. Our literal barns and vats will have exactly as much as is best for us, and the discipling of our Father will give us contentment with whatever He provides for us. If you are not content with what you have, you will not be content with ten times as much. But, if you see the purpose of your wealth as to enjoy His goodness and serve His glory, you will be content with it in this life. And, you will inherit more riches than you can imagine in a new heavens and new earth that you can’t imagine. And it will still be less wealth than the wealth that you have in God Himself (cf. Psalm 73:25–28; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 9:6–14; Philippians 4:19–20).
In what ways does God give you instruction? What uses do you make of them? How has He disciplined you? How are you responding? How are you pursuing the resemblance of Christ in yourself? In what ways are you fighting against being wise in your own eyes? What does your level of contentment tell you about your view of wealth and providence? How does your devotion to Him show up in how you use your wealth?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for taking us to be Your own dear children in Christ. Conform us, by Your Spirit, to Your Son, Who is full of mercy and truth, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH257 “Children of the Heavenly Father”
No comments:
Post a Comment