The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS

958

PROVERBS

you need to hear the most? NOTE – Are you happy… or are you still searching for happiness? There are two ingredients necessary for “happiness” to occur: (1) knowing God (Psa 144:15); and (2) obeying God (Jn 13:17). The two hands, the right and the left, signify the abundance of Wisdom’s gifts. Wisdom, if you recall, is represented as a bright and bountiful queen (Prov 1:20-21 & 2:1-4 & 3:13-18 & 4:5-9,13 & 8:1-3), reaching forth her arms to embrace those that submit to her, so that she is ready to give out to them with both hands. The eighth benefit of wisdom deals with durable (eternal) riches (Prov 8:12-18), not fickle (temporal) riches (Prov 23:4-5). Whereas “long life” (Prov 3:2) refers to our days here on earth, “length of days” (Prov 3:2,16) refers to eternal life (Psa 16:11). The Pulpit Commentary notes: A spiritual interpretation can, of course, be given to this passage–length of days being understood of eternal life; riches, of heavenly riches; and honour, not “the honour that cometh of men,” but honour conferred by God. 2 One of the great benefits of wisdom is its eternal feature (Prov 8:22-31). Those who embrace wisdom now will receive eternal riches and honor later (I Cor 3:8-15 and II Cor 5:10-11 ). This word ( pleasantness ) is the Hebrew word dar’key noam and means “ substantial delight .” Those who give God the “last say” in their life (acquire wisdom – Jms 1:5/ Job 35:13 ) enjoy the peace of God; the pleasant presence of God” (Phil 4:6-9). The character of peace ( Shalom ) is stamped upon her paths ( and all her paths are peace ), which mean her paths are free of pitfalls and dangers. Thus, the man of wisdom is simple in conduct, for the way of wisdom is a straight path of moral simplicity. Meaning, people of wisdom live by a spiritual schedule. They wake up each morning and read God’s Word and pray ( Lev 23:2 – ‘ How to have daily devotions’ ). They go about their day looking for opportunities to witness ( Mt 28:19a ). They love the brethren (they spend time with their brothers and sisters in Christ during the week – Jn 13:35). They keep the Sabbath ( Gen 2:2 ). A path not stamped with peace is a sign of a lack of principle. Principles are like the rails on which a train runs. They keep it on a direct course and facilitate its speed. The unprincipled man (the man with no spiritual schedule) is off the rails. Like a ship without a rudder he drifts aimlessly, and so leaves behind him a crooked track. Thus, whenever men allow considerations of momentary advantage to guide their actions (they fail to follow a spiritual schedule), they will be perpetually swayed from side to side till their track is marked by an irregular “zigzag.” Question: What does your “track” look like? The first time the word “ grace ” appears in the Bible is in Genesis 6:8 . Grace is but one of three by- products of faith (Eph 2:8). The other two are mercy and peace. Grace describes God’s attitude towards the law-breaker and rebel. Whereas mercy is defined as not receiving what we do deserve (which is Hell), grace is defined as receiving what we don’t deserve (which is deliverance fromHell). In other words, what we all deserve is Hell and what we don’t deserve is deliverance from Hell. Yet, because of the grace of God, we are delivered from what we deserve ( Eph 2:8a -9). God says, “I’ve got something for you that you don’t deserve, but if you’ll give me the “last say” in your life, I’ll bestow it upon you.” Thus, the whole point of grace is that it doesn’t start with us, it starts with God. Grace is not earned or merited, but is freely and lovingly given to those who come to God by faith ( Heb 11:1 ). The greatest description of grace given in the Bible is found for us in Genesis 19. It’s the story of Lot. Like Noah (Gen 6:8), Lot also experienced the grace of God when he, by faith, “agreed” (repented – Jonah 3:5 ) to leave the city of Sodom ( Gen 19:14a , 16,19 ). When wisdom becomes our companion, it becomes our convoy. The following four vehicles are what march around us when we choose to give God the “last say” in our life: 1. Safety (vs 23) - The lead vehicle in the convoy of wisdom is safety (Lev 26:1-5 and Psa 4:1-8) 2. Security (vs 24) - The 2nd vehicle in the convoy is security (Lev 26:6 and Psa 17:8 & 36:7/Mt 23:37) 3. Self-confidence (vs 25) - The 3rd vehicle in the convoy is self-confidence (Lev 26:7-8 and Psa 91:1-9) NOTE – According to Genesis 3:8,10,12 , those who give God the “last say” in their life don’t fight self-image, self-esteem, or self-worth problems. 4. Stability (vs 26) - The rear vehicle in the convoy of wisdom is stability (Lev 26:9-13 and Prov 3:5-6) This word ( inherit ), according to Strong’s Concordance , 1 comes from the Hebrew word nachal (pronounced naw-khal), and means “ to distribute; to take as an heritage .” Those who embrace wisdom now “inherit” ( take as an heritage ) rewards later ( Mt 5:5b ).

8th benefit of wisdom – Riches and honor (Prov 3:16)

9th benefit of wisdom – Peace (Prov 3:17-18)

10th benefit of wisdom – Grace (Prov 3:19-22)

11th benefit of wisdom – Safety (Prov 3:23-26)

12th benefit of wisdom – Future Rewards (Prov 3:35)

1 Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary , Old Tappan, NJ, Fleming H. Revell Co., Vol. III. Print. 2 The Pulpit Commentary . Grand Rapids, MI, Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1950. Print.