(Prov 3:1 NASB) My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
Prov 3:1: The Hebrew term for “teaching” here is Torah. He tells His people to not forget His Torah (Psalm 119:93, 153, 176, Prov. 6:20-23). Hosea tells us that the people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Paul told us that in the law is the embodiment of knowledge (Romans 2:20).
(Prov 3:2 NASB) For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.
Prov 3:2: Elohim tells us His Torah will add days and years to our life (Prov. 9:10-11, Psalm 37:3-6, Psalm 128, Eph. 6:1-3, 1 Tim. 4:8).
(Prov 3:3 NASB) Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Prov 3:3: We are to have kindness and truth bound around our neck and written on our heart. The Hebrew word for truth is emeth and it means faithfulness.
Truth – H571. emeth, [54a]; from H539; firmness, faithfulness, truth:– correctly(m)(1), faith(1), faithful(2), faithfully(6), faithfulness(10), lasting(1), right(1), true(18), truly(4), truth(80), True(1), truthful(2).
We are to have kindness and truth (faithfulness) bound around our neck and written on our hearts (Ex. 13:9, Deut. 11:18-20) We are told specifically that His ways are lovingkindness and truth (faithfulness) to those who keep His Torah (Psalm 25:10).
(Prov 3:4 NASB) So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
Prov 3:4: If we bind lovingkindness and truth on our hearts and minds, we will find favor in the sight of Elohim and man (Josh 1:7-8). Yeshua said that we are to seek the glory of Elohim through the Words of Moses (John 5:44-47).
(Prov 3:5 NASB) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
Prov 3:5: We are reminded in Jeremiah that we are to trust in Elohim and not on our own hearts (Jer. 17:7-9). Elohim also tells us in Jeremiah not to boast of our ourselves, but to boast about knowing Him (Jer. 9:23-24).
(Prov 3:6 NASB) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Prov 3:6: Elohim leads us in the way we should go (Isa. 48:17-18).
(Prov 3:7 NASB) Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
(Prov 3:8 NASB) It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones.
Prov 3:8: If man follows His Torah, it will be healing to his body (Jer. 33:6-8).
(Prov 3:9 NASB) Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce;
(Prov 3:10 NASB) So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Prov 3:10: We do not honor Elohim by giving one tenth of our money to churches for preachers to have big salaries for entertaining congregations for a couple hours a week.
Torah commands us to honor Elohim from our wealth and from the first of all our produce (Ex. 22:29-30, 23:19). Since there is not Tabernacle or Temple to present these things to Him, we are to care for others with our offerings (Luke 14:12-14).
When we do so, Elohim will provide for us (Lev. 26:2-5, Deut. 28:8-10).
(Prov 3:11 NASB) My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, Or loathe His reproof,
(Prov 3:12 NASB) For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father, the son in whom he delights.
Prov 3:12: Elohim will reprove and discipline those whom He loves (Deut. 8:5-6).
(Prov 3:13 NASB) How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.
(Prov 3:14 NASB) For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold.
(Prov 3:15 NASB) She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.
Prov 3:15: The profit we gain from wisdom and understanding cannot be matched (Psalm 119:72, 111, 162).
(Prov 3:16 NASB) Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
(Prov 3:17 NASB) Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace.
(Prov 3:18 NASB) She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
Prov 3:18: Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.
(Prov 3:19 NASB) The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens.
(Prov 3:20 NASB) By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, And the skies drip with dew.
Prov 3:20: By His wisdom and understanding, Elohim created all things (Psalm 104:24, Jer. 10:12).
(Prov 3:21 NASB) My son, let them not depart from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
(Prov 3:22 NASB) So they will be life to your soul, And adornment to your neck.
(Prov 3:23 NASB) Then you will walk in your way securely, And your foot will not stumble.
(Prov 3:24 NASB) When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
(Prov 3:25 NASB) Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
Prov 3:25: With wisdom, we can walk safely and securely (Psalm 27:1-3, 46:1-3).
(Prov 3:26 NASB) For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
(Prov 3:27 NASB) Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.
(Prov 3:28 NASB) Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.
Prov 3:28: Torah commands us to treat our neighbor properly (Lev. 19:13, Deut. 24:12-15).
(Prov 3:29 NASB) Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives in security beside you.
(Prov 3:30 NASB) Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
Prov 3:30: Do not contend with someone for no cause (Psalm 55:20-22, Micah 2:1-3).
(Prov 3:31 NASB) Do not envy a man of violence, And do not choose any of his ways.
(Prov 3:32 NASB) For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright.
(Prov 3:33 NASB) The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
(Prov 3:34 NASB) Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
(Prov 3:35 NASB) The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.
Prov 3:35: This chapter closes with contrasts of the wise man and the wicked and foolish.
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas