Read Proverbs 3:19–35
Questions from the Scripture text: What did YHWH do by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Proverbs 3:19-20)? What must we do with such things (Proverbs 3:21)? Why; what will they be unto us (Proverbs 3:22)? What will we do with them (Proverbs 3:23-24)? What won’t we do (Proverbs 3:24-25)? Why not (Proverbs 3:26)? What, are some of the wise ways that we should act (Proverbs 3:27-30)? Whom would we be like if we did not (Proverbs 3:31)? What four distinctions/discriminations will God make between the two?
Why does wisdom make one so safe? Proverbs 3:19–35 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom makes one safe, because the wise one has God as his Friend.
The wise man interacts with things in a way that imitates the Lord. If the Lord’s own wisdom is what He displays in the creation (Proverbs 3:19-20), then we ought to be diligent to live according to that wisdom (Proverbs 3:21).
For, in the same wisdom, the Lord has given to us to have life (Proverbs 3:22a) and dignity (verse 22b) in Him and in imaging Him.
Living in the knowledge of Him, as imaging and serving Him, is the way to know that all providence is for our good (Proverbs 3:23, cf. Romans 8:28, Romans 8:32; Ephesians 1:11).
Thus may we live fearlessly, night (Proverbs 3:24) and day (Proverbs 3:25).
Just as the nature of wisdom is substantially in the fear of the Lord, and the obtaining of wisdom is by the Word and Spirit of the lord, so also the blessing of wisdom comes personally from the Lord. He is the believer’s experiential help (Proverbs 3:26a), and He orders all providence personally (verse 26b).
Therefore, our interactions with one another must always be done before His face as His creatures. Do we have the ability to do our neighbor good (remembering that we are finite, and that our household are our nearest neighbor, cf. 1 Timothy 5:8)? Then we must image our God in doing so (Proverbs 3:27), and do it diligently (Proverbs 3:28).
Sadly, after we fell in Adam, loving our neighbor well requires mortification of sin in both heart (Proverbs 3:29) and action (Proverbs 3:30). No amount of ill will toward others, or action against them may be tolerated in the Christian’s life. If we allow ourselves any heart-inclination against our neighbor, or any unjust action against him, we follow the oppressor instead of the Lord (Proverbs 3:31). And that is a very dangerous place to be!
The passage closes with four contrasting parallels in how the Lord deals with the oppressor, versus how He deals with the wise. The crooked, wicked, scornful, and foolish, YHWH abominates, curses, scorns and shames (Proverbs 3:32a, Proverbs 3:33a, Proverbs 3:34a, Proverbs 3:35b). But the upright, just, humble, and wise, YHWH counsels, blesses, gives grace, and bestows glory (Proverbs 3:32b, Proverbs 3:33b, Proverbs 3:34b, Proverbs 3:35a).
Instead of thinking about what honors God, the fool thinks about what he can obtain and what he can get away with. But truly is he a fool! For he can get away with nothing, and by wickedness he can only obtain the enmity of God.
The counterpart, dear reader, is true. God give you to think about what pleases the Lord, knowing that you can lose nothing, and that if you have Him as Friend, you shall surely have all things.
Let your loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength express itself toward men in loving your neighbor as yourself. Learn this from this Scripture, from all Scripture, and do not let wisdom depart from your eyes.
What are you tempted to fear? How is your mindset in the night hours? From whom have you been tempted to withhold good? Against whom are you tempted to incline your heart? With whom are you tempted to strive?
Sample prayer: Lord, by wisdom You founded the earth. By understanding You established the heavens. By Your knowledge, the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. You work all things according to the counsel of Your will, so give us to do all things according to Your revealed will. Make us to love You with our whole self, and to love our neighbor as ourself, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”
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