Posted by Jeff Short on July 21, 2016 · 1 Comment
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
– Proverbs 3:20
This verse adds to the previous concerning how God governs his creation by wisdom. Solomon refers to the maintenance of the hydrological cycle of earth. Though the earth is under a sin curse, it functions remarkably well and the wisdom of God’s design is evident. If wisdom can found the earth and run the universe, it is certainly good to direct our paths upon the earth. Solomon began by urging us to seek diligently after wisdom and has thoroughly justified that searching by wisdom’s superior worth.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 20, 2016 · 1 Comment
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
– Proverbs 3:19
Verses 19 and 20 close this section on the true value of wisdom. At first glance, these verses might seem unconnected to the previous. Founding and establishing both have to do with setting something up. Here they refer to the creation of the universe and the establishing of the order of creation. By wisdom God has created and sustains the universe. The universe is run by wisdom. The implication is that wisdom should be sought and valued more highly than earthly commodities. Living and walking by wisdom is obviously to walk in harmony with the Creator and his creation.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 19, 2016 · 1 Comment
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
– Proverbs 3:18
This verse removes doubt, if there is any, about the spiritual nature of the gifts of wisdom. Here she is a tree of life, which tree is so called because it is life giving and a tree that never dies. The Tree of Life was in the Garden of Eden at the creation (Genesis 2:9; 3:22). The way to the tree was barred by the angels after Adam sinned and, I believe, taken from the earth before the flood. The next location that is given for the tree is in the new heaven and new earth, and specifically in the new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2).
Here it is a figure that represents everlasting life, which is real life, and access to it means full communion with God (Revelation 2:7; 22:14). Laying hold and retaining mirrors the language of apprehending Christ in faith (Hebrews 6:18; John 8:31; 1 John 2:24). Every one that has wisdom after this manner is happy or makes good progress.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 18, 2016 · 1 Comment
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
– Proverbs 3:17
Psalm 49 considers wisdom with poverty and riches with folly. David notes that fools are often increased with material goods, but those things cannot deliver the soul and they still die like a beast without understanding (Psalm 49:16-20). Jesus expressed the similar thought this way: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). In this section of Proverbs, wisdom is shown superior to earthly substance. It’s more preferable than silver, gold, rubies, or anything else we can desire. Wisdom does not guarantee earthly prosperity in this life, but she does bring the best gifts and all her ways are pleasantness and peace. Pleasantness is delightfulness and beauty. Peace is a state of contentment and conveys the idea of soundness or health. The way of wisdom is the good way.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 17, 2016 · 1 Comment
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
– Proverbs 3:16
Wisdom is personified here as a woman with gifts in both hands. Clearly, wisdom is the better way of life. The gifts of long life, riches, and honor are considered the preeminent blessings of life. In a sense they stand for the best possible earthly life. The left hand is the weaker hand and the gifts of the left hand are the lesser gifts. The right hand is the strong hand and bears the best gift. In terms of earthly life, this is a general statement for we have already seen that the wise do not always live long nor are they always wealthy. In the spiritual sense, all who have wisdom from above have length of days, riches, and honor in terms of eternal life of blessedness with Christ.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 16, 2016 · 1 Comment
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
– Proverbs 3:15
Solomon continues to describe the blessed state of the man who finds wisdom and gets understanding. His situation is better than the rich because he has wisdom, which is better than riches. Theologically in Proverbs, to have wisdom is to have life. It is to walk with God and thus have everlasting life. Here wisdom is accounted more precious than precious gems. The word for rubies is uncertain, but the intent of the phrase is certain. The desires of men upon earth are not always for money or precious stones. Solomon further explains wisdom is better than anything than can be desired or dreamed up. The most active imagination cannot conjure anything comparable to wisdom in worth.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 15, 2016 · 1 Comment
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
– Proverbs 3:14
Merchandise refers to trade and the profit from it. Here it is the profit from the trade of silver. Gain refers to income or even revenue. Fine gold is that which is mined. Both phrases are emphasizing the profit or gain from work expended. The real key in this verse is the word “better.” When we pair this verse with the verse before and those after, we find a most important distinction about wisdom. Wisdom is its own reward and, as a reward, is infinitely more valuable than anything upon this earth. Wisdom is far better than material gain and, therefore, getting wisdom is not about getting rich. Those who use the book of Proverbs to teach how to get rich or find prosperity prove they do not have wisdom themselves and are therefore unfit guides to the obtaining of wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 14, 2016 · 1 Comment
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
– Proverbs 3:13
Verses 13-18 teach that wisdom brings every good gift that we could receive. The word for happy is often translated as blessed. It refers to a state or condition of blessedness. So is the state of the man who finds wisdom. To find means to reach out after or to gain something by going after it. To get is to draw out, like digging some precious metal out of the earth. Once again, the pursuit of wisdom is mentioned but the rewards are also given in this section. The pursuit for wisdom is not a vain pursuit so long as we start with the fear of the Lord.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 13, 2016 · 1 Comment
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
– Proverbs 3:12
Solomon explains why we should not despise nor be weary of correction. He compares God’s chastening as that of a father to his son. In the best case, a father corrects his son because he loves him and wants good for him. Of course, earthly fathers with even the best intentions fail in their corrections (Hebrews 12:9-10). We fail by being too severe, too soft, and having wrong motivations. Sometimes earthly fathers chasten their children for the father’s own convenience, but God always chastens out of his love for us and for our good. While expounding this verse, the writer of Hebrews also pointed out that it is not a pleasant experience (Hebrews 12:11). So there is added encouragement to endure and be trained up under it. Rather than fainting and assuming it a token of God’s displeasure, we are assured that it is a great sign of his love for us (Hebrews 12:7-8).
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Proverbs 3:20
Posted by Jeff Short on July 21, 2016 · 1 Comment
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
This verse adds to the previous concerning how God governs his creation by wisdom. Solomon refers to the maintenance of the hydrological cycle of earth. Though the earth is under a sin curse, it functions remarkably well and the wisdom of God’s design is evident. If wisdom can found the earth and run the universe, it is certainly good to direct our paths upon the earth. Solomon began by urging us to seek diligently after wisdom and has thoroughly justified that searching by wisdom’s superior worth.– Proverbs 3:20
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