Introduction:

This chapter continues the appeal to sons to take heed to the Divine law and wisdom which is so necessary for God’s blessings. Throughout the teaching is that it is profitable to honor and serve God. But not only is the first table of the Law, which shows duty to God, emphasized, but also duty to men—the second table of the law—is also set forth here. “A brief outline of this chapter is: 1) Our duty to God (1-12). 2) The happy state of them that have wisdom (13-26). 3) Man’s duty to his fellow man (27-35),” [Carroll].

Proverbs 3:1 “My son, forget not my law: but let thine heart keep my commandments.” “Forgetfulness of God’s law is the fault of the heart, not merely of the head. When the heart keeps God’s precepts as a precious treasure, the memory does not easily forget them,” [Faussett]. Since the Law of God is a manifestation of God’s will for men, a standard conduct and that by which every person is going to be judged, then it is certainly an act of wisdom to know and keep it to the best of our ability. The essence of sin is the transgression of God’s law, (1 John 3:4), and transgression of the law always originates in the heart, for no one ever yet acted out any sin but it was first incubated and meditated in the heart, which is the spring of all our actions, (Matthew 15:19).

Proverbs 3:2 “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” God is the source of life, peace and good; how then can men have these if they, by their wickedness, constantly antagonize the great Giver of all good, (Jam. 1:17)? Often God promises long life and joy for obeying His law, (Deut. 8:1; 30:19-20; 1 Tim. 4:8). Most of the sickness and death that assails mankind is due directly to the transgression of the dietary laws that God gave in ancient time to Israel, and if these were carefully followed today, much sickness would be eliminated. It is well known that most of the heart trouble, high blood pressure, cancer, etc., are due to abuse of the body. S. I. McMillan, a medical doctor, wrote “None of these Diseases” (Title taken from Ex. 15:26) based upon this idea. We recommend this book to you.

Proverbs 3:3 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about they neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.” This does not refer so much to the personal enjoyment of these two graces so much as to the exercise of them toward others. If we would enjoy mercy, however, we must exercise it, (Matthew 5:7), and truth is always to be exercised toward others, for to do otherwise is to be like the devil, (John 8:44), and to be a candidate for hell, (Rev. 21:8, 27; 22:15f). But these are not to be merely ornaments about the neck, they are also to be the code of the heart. Only if they are in the heart will they be exercised outwardly.

Proverbs 3:4 “So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” He who is concerned first of all about the favor of God, will not only have this, but will also be esteemed by men, (Rom. 14:16-18). Divine wisdom is justified of all her children, (Luke 7:35), because they practice the precepts of wisdom toward God and man. Our Lord alone fully realized the picture here, for He alone perfectly manifested mercy and truth as a man, (Luke 2:52). Cf. (John 1:17; Rom 5:21). It is the Lord’s mercy and grace alone that any are saved from sin and its penalties, (Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5). But these necessary graces are not native to man: they must be transplanted there, and this is done in the new birth. Hence the following verses warn against trusting in one’s self.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” This is now the third time “heart” has been mentioned in this chapter. Head faith is not a saving faith, but a heart belief is, (Rom. 10:9-10), for it is a trust in the Lord; i.e., a dependence upon Him to save. “He guards against his recommendation of ‘good understanding’ in verse 4 being perverted into a ground for self-reliance,” [Faussett]. This is to be a total trust “with all thine heart.” Divided hearts are faulty in their faith toward God, (Hosea 10:2). Hence, David prayed for his heart to be united to fear the Lord, (Ps. 86:11-12). This, however, does not apply solely to salvation, for many heresies have been brought in because men tried to reason out doctrinal truth—leaning unto their own wisdom—instead of simply believing God’s Word in all that is says.

Proverbs 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” “‘Acknowledge Him’ by referring all thy ways to His will, trusting in His power, wisdom, providence, goodness, righteousness, and feeling that without Him you can do nothing,” [Faussett]. Most of our failures are due to pride, for we think that our own wisdom, strength and piety are sufficient, and so we do not acknowledge Him as necessary in all things. We need the knowledge that Jeremiah had, (Jer. 9:23-24; 10:23.) We need God’s direction in everything, for this alone is a safe path to tread.

Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” (Rom. 12:16). “There is not a greater enemy to the power of religion, and the fear of God in the heart, than conceitedness of our own wisdom,” [M. Henry]. Pride was the devil’s own sin, and many humans have fallen into it also, (1 Tim. 3:6; Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:17). Pride is always hateful in God’s sight, (Prov. 6:16-17; 16:5, 18). This is because pride always exalts itself against the Lord and tries to idolize self. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” (Prov. 9:10), because by it we see ourselves in a real light, which destroys all cause for pride. Thus, the fear of the Lord is the antidote to evil; these two cannot long dwell together, (Prov. 8:13; 14:16; 16:6).

Proverbs 3:8 “It shall be health to they navel, and marrow to thy bones.” “It” refers to the fear of the Lord which does good to man physically, as well as spiritually. As the navel is the means of supplying food and strength to the whole body in the infant, and as the marrow is the center and moisture of the bones and actually determines the health of the bones, so the two of these together represent the whole physical nature of man: the bones being the framework, and the flesh the rest of the physical nature. A right attitude toward the Lord; i.e., a reverence for Him, makes for a healthy person mentally, morally, spiritually as well as physically.

Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increased.” Every Israelite was expected to bring an offering in his hand when he came to worship the Lord. It was not possible to worship the Lord rightly with empty hands; so too we today are to worship and honor Him with our substance, by bringing the tithes and offerings, (Ex. 23:19; Mal. 3:7-10). “We live upon annual products to keep us in constant dependence on God. God, who is the first and best, must have the first and best of everything,” [M. Henry]. To honor the Lord with the first-fruits is to acknowledge His ownership of all things; to refuse to do so is to deny His ownership of all things. He blesses those who honor Him.

Proverbs 3:10 “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” This is one of the blessings promised to obedience, (Deut. 28:1-2, 8), so that no one becomes poorer for honoring the Lord with his possessions, as the unbeliever thinks. God shall be no man’s debtor: He shall more than repay that which is given to Him, when it is given with the proper attitude. It is to be carefully noted that this promise is not given just to him who “gives” to the Lord, but only to him who “honors” the Lord with His possessions. There can be a great difference.

Proverbs 3:11 “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction.” “It is interesting to note here the New Testament use made of verses 11-12. Paul quotes these verses in Hebrews 12:5-6 to enforce his argument on the chastening of the Lord being a proof of his love for his people…This shows the unmistakable meaning and application of Proverbs 3:11-12,” [Carroll]. Hebrews 12:7-8 shows that this chastisement is the lot of every child of God, and its absence betokens that God does not claim one. How comforting then is chastisement even while it smarts upon our backs. We should not despise it because of what it manifests about God’s love to us.

Proverbs 3:12 “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” “A father’s correction comes not from his vindictive justice as a Judge, but his wise affection as a Father,” [M. Henry]. In Hebrews 12:6 the text is modified to include ‘scourgeth’ which implies a chastisement severe enough even to draw blood. God’s chastisement is always severe enough to turn the willful person back from sin, even if physical death is necessary, for He will not suffer the spirit to be lost, (1 Cor. 5:5). Since the body is but the “house” for the spiritual nature, it is not so important what happens to the body as it is what happens to the soul. Thank God for His loving chastisement.

Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” This is inference from what has been previously said, especially in chapter 2. All true happiness is based upon knowledge of, and submission to, the divine will, spoken of here as wisdom, since it is an act of highest wisdom to be submissive to God, who is the source of all good, (Jam. 1:17). “Findeth” and “getteth” both suggest putting forth an effort to obtain this wisdom. “Getteth” is rendered “draw out” in Isaiah 58:10. “He is the happy man who, having found it, makes it his own, who draws out understanding (so the word is). Having it not in himself, he draws it with the bucket of prayer from the fountain of all wisdom, who gives liberally,” [M. Henry]. God delights to give good things to His children, (Matthew 7:7-11), but there is a correct order and way of obtaining good from Him.

Proverbs 3:14 “For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” “’The merchandise of it is what it (wisdom) buys—the gain which rebounds from it—viz., salvation,” [Faussett]. Silver and gold can only purchase worldly things which are temporal at best, but this Divine wisdom can obtain eternal life for us, for it brings us into harmony with the Divine will. Job discussed this same matter and came to the same conclusion, (Job 28:12-28). Learning just for the sake of having a degree is not profitable, but learning does have its merchandise and gain which are profitable.

Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.” Here wisdom is personified (treated as an actual person) and in verses 15-18 no less than eight things are said of her. She is considered to be a queen, to be desired above all things that any person could possibly possess. Alas, how few people really desire true spiritual wisdom: it is generally one of the last things to be desired. Why is this? Because it directs us away from earthy things and selfish gratification, and points us rather to the Lord and to heavenly things, which the natural man has no concern for, and which even the truly saved person desires only as a last resort, and when he is cut off from the things of earth.

Proverbs 3:16 “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.” Knowledge and practice of God’s will always tends to long life, (Deut. 4:1-2; 5:31-33; 8:1). Divine wisdom holds out both hands full of blessings to those who seek her: with one hand she holds out long life, but this alone would not be worth anything unless there was enjoyment of life as well, (Eccl. 6:3). Thus, with the other hand, she holds out the things that make life worth living—riches and honor. These things are likewise worthless if a person does not live to enjoy them, (Eccl. 6:1-2). God’s way is best for it supplies all a person’s needs.

Proverbs 3:17 “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” He who thinks that to obey and serve God is a bitter, unhappy and unrewarding life, has thoroughly misunderstood the whole Bible teaching on the subject, and has evidently never tried the Lord’s way. Both the end, and the way to that end, are peace. And note that it does not say it is peaceable or peaceful (both adjectives—describing the manner of the way), but it is peace (a noun—showing that the very essence of the way is peace). The way of the world may be pleasant, but not safe; and some professed Christians hold to a way that is safe but not pleasant; but Divine wisdom shows a way that is both enjoyable and safe.

Proverbs 3:18 “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.” The “tree of life” has always been man’s hope of living on forever, and it has always been God’s provision for that desire. “The fruit of other trees appeases hunger for a time: this tree forever. It saves not merely from death, but from disease (Rev. 22:2, 14; 2:7; Ezek. 47:12),” [Faussett]. “Lay hold” is from a Hebrew word meaning “to be strong” and so refers to holding on tenaciously. It involves the same idea as the colored preacher’s definition of faith: “1) Take hold of the Lord. 2) Hold on fast. 3) Never let go.” Happiness is declared to be the lot of every one that retains her. “Every one” suggests the very personal nature of this claiming of Divine wisdom and its blessings. Salvation and service to God are the most personal duties in the world: no one can act for us.

Proverbs 3:19 “The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.” Here is the recommendation of this wisdom: it was that whereby the original creation was brought about, and by consideration of the magnitude of that great work, we can see how this wisdom will be all sufficient for our little petty needs. It also suggests why God has never had to revise, repair or otherwise change His original creation. It was “very good” in its origin, (Gen. 1:31). Any imperfections now found are due to man’s sinful disruption of the universe. Today the heavens operate with such perfect precision that all the clocks in the world are set by and corrected by the precision of the heavens; and time can be calculated to the precise second several thousands of years backward or forward by this precision.

Proverbs 3:20 “By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.” Even the seemingly erratic courses of streams which come from springs out of the depths are the result of God’s matchless wisdom as to which areas need more water. And the dew in some dry areas of the world serve for the needs left lacking by the scarcity of rain. Dews in Israel are especially copious at times, (Judges 6:38). In Peru, some areas receive less than one inch of annual rainfall, but they have heavy dews that supply moisture. Our great God knows how to supply every need of His people.

Proverbs 3:21 “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion.” “Solomon repeats similar monitions so frequently (cf. chps. 1:8, 9; 2:1; 3:1) on account of men’s spiritual apathy, in order to impress them the more firmly with the greatness, certainty, and importance of these truths,” [Faussett]. Alas, how dense we are, that God must continually sound forth His warnings and admonitions to us. Yet, if we do not have these things continually before our eyes, we forget them, (Joshua 1:8). This is but a part of the ravages of sin—that we so easily let slip away spiritual things, (Heb. 2:1-2). One of Satan’s favorite ruses is the stealing away of the Word, (Matthew 13:19).

Proverbs 3:22 “So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.” “They” refers to the sound wisdom and discretion of verse 21. “Discretion” appears in 1:4; 2:11; 5:2 and here. Also rendered “device” and “invention,” it seems to suggest the ability to judge what is necessary and respond appropriately. Thus, while Divine wisdom is necessary for one to have eternal life, discretion is necessary for one to act out that life in such a way as to ornament the Christian life. Some truly saved people are very indiscreet in their ways, so that they do not show grace by their actions. We are saved by grace, (Titus 3:7) and need grace to discreetly serve, (Heb. 12:28).

Proverbs 3:23 “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.” Behold how the promises are heaped higher and higher for the saints. “The foot not stumbling means that thou shalt not fall into the temptations which the world, the flesh, and Satan present in one’s way to heaven,” [Faussett]. There is safety for those who walk God’s way, but not for the rebellious, (Prov. 10:9; Ps. 91-11-12). The latter text, though finding its fullest application to the Lord, (Matthew 4:5-6), yet has application to all the elect as well. “Stumble” is used in Isaiah 8:14 of Christ as the object of stumbling by the Jews. Divine wisdom will prevent one from stumbling over Christ, for it will lead him to submit to Him.

Proverbs 3:24 “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” Night is the time when we are most defenseless for there is darkness to cover our enemies, and unconsciousness in sleep, yet there is safety even then for God’s people, (Lev. 26:6; Ps. 3:5). “Whether in motion or at rest, or at business or at leisure, by day or by night, all shall go well with thee, or at least shall ultimately end so (Rom. 8:28),” [Faussett]. “The way to have a good night is to keep a good conscious; and the sleep, as of the laboring man, so of the wise and godly man, is sweet,” [M. Henry].

Proverbs 3:25 “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.” “Sudden fear” is panic—perhaps the worst kind of fear, for it attacks us when we are least prepared for it, yet not even this can permanently harm the follower of Divine wisdom. But for the plural “wicked” this would sound like the Antichrist in Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. “Wicked” means to act impiously toward God.

Proverbs 3:26 “For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” To trust the Lord, (Prov. 3:5), is to be confident, for He has never betrayed the trust of any of His saints, so that neither the snares of the world, the flesh, or the devil can take him who is directed by Divine wisdom. As the saints have security, (Ps. 66:8-9), so there is insecurity for the wicked, (Deut. 32:35). “Feet” suggest the daily walk, so that there is promised protection for those who daily walk with Him, (Prov. 28:26).

Introduction:

Here begins the last of the three divisions of this chapter—that which deals with man’s duty to his fellow creatures. “Here Solomon passes from general recommendations of wisdom to particular precepts of it,” [Faussett].

Proverbs 3:27 “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” Many are guilty of defrauding their neighbors simply because they have not recognized that the Bible teaches that we are to love our neighbors “as ourselves,” (Matthew 22:39). This duty is made especially clear by the literal rendering in the margin: “from the owners thereof.” We all have a duty to love one another, which is a fulfilling of the law, especially in the latter six commandments, (Rom. 13:7-10). We are therefore obligated to do good to all men, (Gal. 6:10), and the failure to do so is sin, (Jam. 4:17). Often the excuse is made “But I don’t have anything to give.” If this is true, then one is without obligation, according to our verse, but it is often the case that one has something to give, but just isn’t willing to do so. There is no lack of excuses for those who are unwilling in heart. An oriental asked to borrow a rope from his neighbor. “No, I must use it myself to tie up a pile of sand.” “But you can’t tie up a pile of sand,” he objected, to which the other replied: “You can do anything with a rope you don’t wish to lend out.”

Proverbs 3:28 “Say not unto they neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” Delay to do good evidences a disinclination to do good. The ancient Greeks had an adage: “A slow-paced favor is a favorless favor.” There are many hindrances that may arise between “today” and “tomorrow:” (1) One’s ability to do good may vanish through loss. (2) The needy neighbor may pass off the scene and we have no more opportunity to do him good. (3) We may pass off the scene. (4) Others of a more benevolent spirit may rush to his aid, and we lose an opportunity to be blessed. Many refuse to do good to any until death takes them away from their goods, and then they are willing for others to get good from them. “They who put off their beneficence till they die are like the pigs, which are never of use till they come to be slaughtered,” [T. Cartwright]. “Who is my neighbor?” is used as an excuse by many, but Jesus taught a parable to show that they are neighbors where one has a need and another has the remedy for that need, (Luke 10:25-27). It is not a matter of the proximity of homes, but rather of opportunity to help that makes neighbors.

Proverbs 3:29 “Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.” After having praised benevolence toward neighbors, Solomon passes on to forbid malevolence toward one’s neighbors. If refusal to do good when one has the ability is sin, how much more is it sin to do evil to one’s neighbor; yea, it is doubly wicked when that one is innocently and unsuspectingly dwelling peaceably by him. The unprovoked attack upon our nation by Japan in 1941 was considered a dastardly and cowardly act: it is even more so when between individuals because the relationship between individuals is closer than between nations. That the neighbor is innocent of wrong doing is suggested by the parallel in the following verse.

Proverbs 3:30 “Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.” Alas, how many of man’s strifes have had no adequate cause. Most arising from pride, greed, touchiness, ambition, lust, unconcern for others, etc. The divine command is for us to live at peace if at all possible, (Rom. 12:18-21). When strife arises, it is generally because two people are both too conceited and proud to admit that they might be wrong. It always takes two to make a fuss. If only one is cantankerous he will soon become known for what he is, and will be shunned by all wise people. Sometimes strife is necessary and has good cause, but this is not often the case. Certainly it is not justifiable when one has not been really harmed. Most fancied hurts are more the result of excessive touchiness and vivid imaginations than of real hurts.

Proverbs 3:31 “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.” (Ps. 37: 1-2). Solomon here to the end of the chapter, to show the folly of envying the wicked, contrasts them with the righteous as his father did in Psalm 37. “Envy of the prosperous easily leads to imitating his ways. Solomon showed the godly man how to behave towards God and his neighbor. Now it is shown how he is to act towards himself,” [Faussett]. Envy is generally based upon the conceited idea that we are not receiving the fame or fortune that we really deserve, and that someone else is receiving more than he deserves. It has its roots in self-righteousness. “Oppressor” is literally “a man of violence” and it suggests that he gets what he wants any way that he can, with no compunction if he has to hurt someone in doing so. Only sin could so blind man that he puts more value upon things than upon people.

Proverbs 3:32 “For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.” The froward, for all of his seeming prosperity in this life, is not to be envied, for he is under the Lord’s frown and in due time will taste of the wrath of an offended God, (Ps. 37:16-20). The righteous, though they may seem to be greatly disadvantaged in the present life, have God’s secret with them, and they shall see the fulfillment of His covenant promises, (Ps. 25:14). What is meant by “his secret”? “Not His secret decrees (Job 15:8; Jer. 23:18; Rom. 11:34) but all that He reveals, and that is for their good, is their privilege to know (Deut. 29:29). The secret of true happiness from God is theirs, by the Spirit’s imparting to them ‘the wisdom from above,’” [Faussett].

Proverbs 3:33 “The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.” (Mal. 2:2). Here we have the parallel to verse 32 and the explanation of its meaning. To be an abomination to the Lord is to have His curse upon one’s house. Evil men are almost always a curse to their whole family for their evil teachings and example are so often followed by their families so that the curse must also fall upon them. None suffer unjustly, for when the children of an evil man recognizes his evil and turns from it, God’s blessings come upon them, (Ezek. 18:14-23). The Lord shall bless the justified man, though it does not always so clearly appear so in this life, for God has most of His blessings stored up for eternity. His household (i.e., his descendents) shall continue to grow numerically and spiritually so long as they are taught the truth, but the house of the wicked, like a leper’s dwelling, shall be pulled down and destroyed lest the plague of sin spread, (Lev. 14:44-45; Zech. 5:3-4). The greatest mansion, if it is not built upon righteous principles, is less abiding than the most frail shepherd’s tent which is built upon just principles. However, “house” and “habitation” here probably are more in reference to families than they are to material buildings.

Proverbs 3:34 “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.” Here is retribution in kind, but God’s scorn is more potent and lethal than man’s. Others suggest the rendering: “As surely as He scorneth the scorners, so surely doth He give grace to the lowly,” [Faussett]. This is quoted in James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 to show God’s attitude toward the proud and the humble. These two texts also reveal to us the meaning of “scoreth the scorners.” As the proud sets himself in opposition to God and scorns Him and His people, so God sets Himself in opposition to the proud. And which, think you, will be the victor? God reacts differently to those who humble themselves under His almighty hand: He gives them the necessary grace to do His will. It is characteristic of the proud to scorn God’s people because of their humility, but in the end God’s people will be exalted, and the proud will be held in everlasting contempt, (Isa. 66:23-24; Dan. 12:2).

Proverbs 3:35 “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” This reminds us of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-12. How often is man’s condition reversed at the moment of death, (Luke 16:19-23). We see this reversal in both Lazarus and the rich man. Death strips man of all their pretensions, possessions and promotions, and only the promotion that God gives shall remain. “When glory shall be the promotion and peculiar and permanent inheritance of the godly wise, shame shall be the only promotion that ungodly fools shall have,” [Faussett].