“My son” (June ‘08)
The third
proverb continues Solomon’s pattern to his sons along the same theme of the
previous Proverb only now he adds some additional emphasis on the subject of
keeping the Word:
“My son,
forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of
days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” (Proverbs 3:1,2)
Once again Solomon underlines the
necessity of remembering the law by obeying his commands which in turn will
provide long days, length of life span and the peace of God which only can be
provided by the Lord Jesus Christ:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:
not as the world gives, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled neither
let it be afraid…These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have
peace, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer I have
overcome the world…For He is our peace…”
(John 14:27, 16:33; Ephesians 2:14a)
Without the peace of the Lord Jesus length
of days and long life would just be extended misery because as the catchy
slogan “Know Jesus, Know Peace…No Jesus, No Peace” underlines, there is no real
peace without a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who
is our Peace.
This third Proverb is one of the most
popular Proverbs of Solomon for it contains the most memorized set of verses in
all of Scripture:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not
unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall
direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6)
These verses have been chosen by many
believers as life verses for they emphasize the necessity of walking by faith
in obedience to the Lord applying their faith by expecting Him to lead the way
just as He promised. They have brought many saints through times of turmoil,
testing and temptation into the clear and shining light of the Lord’s pathway,
for:
“The path of the just is as a shining light that
shines more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18)
The entire Proverb is continued and
precise instruction for the sons of Solomon as three “My son” quotations appear within it’s (35) verses:
I. “My son”: Reap the
blessings of keeping the law of God in your heart (v.1-10)
1.
Long life with the peace of God (v.1,2)
2.
Living within the favor of God (v.3,4)
3.
Living by faith for life’s direction (v.5,6)
4.
Living by faith for physical health (v.7,8)
5.
Living by faith in giving first to the Lord (v.9,10)
II. “My son”: Reap the
blessings of the positive application of the wisdom of God (v.11-20)
1.
Living wisely when God corrects with His loving
disciplines (v.11,12)
2.
Living happily with the results of applying God’s
wisdom (v.13-20)
III. “My son”: Reap the
blessings of the negative application of the wisdom of God (v.21-32)
1.
Let not them [wisdom/understanding] depart
from thine eyes (v.21-24)
2.
Be not afraid of sudden fear (v.25,26)
3.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due
(v.27)
4.
Say not unto they neighbor, Go, and come
again…when thou hast it by thee (v.28)
5.
Devise not evil against thy neighbor (v.29)
6.
Strive not with a man without cause if he has
done thee no harm (v.30)
7.
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none
of his ways (v.31,32)
Solomon concludes this powerful Proverb
with (3) pointed and living applications:
1.
Cursing to the wicked (vs.) Blessing to the just
(v.33)
2.
Scorning to the scorner (vs.) Grace to the lowly
(v.34)
3.
Shame for the fools (vs.) Glory to the wise (v.35)
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