Proverbs 3 — Don’t Ignore the Law of the LORD
Introduction: I scanned through all of the Proverbs to select one chapter that spoke most clearly to me of our God and his benefits. Within Christian circles, grace is often the centerpiece, with the law being considered mainly an Old Testament stage in God’s plan. Since Christ fulfilled the law, and we are in Christ, and he is in us: the law should be very precious to the Christian who desires a fulfilling relationship with our unchanging God. Some background verses on the law and the patriarchs precede the Proverbs 3 paraphrase.
A — Abraham Obeyed God’s Commandments, Statutes, and Laws
Genesis 26 “5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Numbers 15 “16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.”
Comments: Verse five in the Genesis passage speaks to us of the relationship established because of Abraham’s obedience to the law, and his obedience was demonstrated centuries before God directed Moses to codify his word for those who would accept it in faith. And God extended the blessing of the law to those who would come from outside the lineage of Israel, and accept by faith that which God has revealed as his standard.
B — David Charged Solomon to Keep the Law of the LORD
1 Kings 2 “3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself. 4 That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me.”
Comments: King David speaks to his son about the law of the LORD and the promises available through faith. This is not wisdom gained by David apart from God, but rather God’s wisdom — David passes not his own charge to his son, but “the charge of the LORD thy God.” In Solomon’s prayer for dedication of the temple, he confesses before God and the assembled crowd the promise made to his father David, and also restates the portion of God’s word which applies to God’s requirement for continued obedience in faith by future generations.
C — Key Verses from the Psalms Related to the Law
Psalm 1 “1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Psalm 19 “7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
Psalm 119 “72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”
Comments: The four selections from Psalms are closely related to concepts within Proverbs 3. By taking delight in God’s law and meditating on it continually, the believer will not follow the ways of those who scoff at God’s authority. The testimony of God is perfect and absolutely reliable, converting our soul and giving us wisdom. So we should request of God that he give us that promised wisdom to keep his law with a heart-motivated commitment. This will become to us a more precious treasure than all imagined material riches.
D — Proverbs 3 in Paraphrase
Proverbs 3 — A paraphrase developed from Hebrew terms, other Bible translations, and phrase exchanges.
My son, ignore not the law of the LORD, but let your heart keep those commandments: for length of days, years of life, and peace shall they add to you. Do not let his mercy and truth slip away from you: firmly bind them about your neck; write them upon the tablet of your heart: thus shall you acquire favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and do not rely on your own wisdom. In every choice and manner acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.
Put no high value on your own wisdom: fear the LORD and keep yourself separated from evil-doing. Honor the LORD with your wealth, and with the unreserved, first portion of all your income. Thus shall your benefit from work be abundant. My son, do not reject the chastening of the LORD, nor abhor his correction: for whom the LORD loves, he corrects; even as a father does with the son in whom he delights.
Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that obtains understanding. For that gain is better than the gain of money. The ways of wisdom are the ways of pleasantness and pathways of peace. Wisdom is a tree of life for those who lay hold of it: and retaining it is happiness. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he has established the heavens.
My son, do not turn aside your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: they shall be life to your soul and grace to your neck. You shall come and go on your journey of life safely, and your foot will not stumble. Be not afraid of sudden terror, nor the destruction of the guilty when it comes. For the LORD shall be your hope, and shall guard your foot from capture.
Do not withhold good from any person when God enables your hand to accomplish it. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells safely near you. Do not envy a violent man, and do not adopt any of his ways. For the obstinate and stubbornly disobedient person is an abomination to the LORD: but his counsel is with the upright. He scorns those who show scorn, but gives grace to the lowly. The wise shall inherit glorious abundance: but shame, dishonor, confusion, and ignominy shall be the exaltation of fools.
Reflections in Prayer
I come to you LORD, asking that you enable me to embrace your law, and I also ask that you enable those of my children who call upon your name, to not ignore that perfect law. Thank you for the promise of added time and peace as a benefit in this present life. LORD, keep me from pride, that I will continue to trust in you with my whole heart, and not develop dependence on my own knowledge or wisdom. In my every choice and manner I desire to acknowledge you, because I want you to direct my path. I thank you LORD that you have taught me that life consists of much more than food, clothing, and shelter. Knowledge of your Word is truly more precious than material gain. Remind me LORD, not to withhold good from any person when you have enabled my hand to accomplish it. I praise you again LORD from my heart, because you have cleared me of my guilt through the blood of my Savior Christ Jesus, and blessed me with your mercy and grace! Amen.
Published 30 May 2004; first issued 12 March 2000