Wisdom Bestows Well-Being (NIV).
Admonition to Trust and Honor God (RSV).
Wisdom for the Young (NKJV).
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. (NIV)
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 2 for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare will they give you. (RSV)
1 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you. (NKJV)
We must remember what Wisdom teaches us. We must keep God's commands in our hearts. Our wills and affections should be in line with God's commands. This will give us long life, prosperity and peace.
3 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (NIV)
3 3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them about your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. (RSV)
3 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man. (NKJV)
We must have love/loyalty/mercy and faithfulness/truth with us, not forsaking any of it. Love/loyalty and faithfulness must be always in our minds and hearts. Benefit: We will find favour, respect and esteemed by God and men. We will be popular and liked by other people.
5 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
5 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
6 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (RSV)
5 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)
Believe and trust God in everything, that God has a plan for us. God is Jehovah Jireh, supplying all our needs. We may not understanding sometimes, never mind, just trust God.
In every matter, we submit to God. In everything, we thank God and praise the Lord. When there seems to be no way, God will make a way for us. When we can't see where we are going, God will light up our path. When we don't know where to go, which direction to go, God will set the path for us.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:19) (NKJV)
7 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (NIV)
7 7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones. (RSV)
7 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. (NKJV)
We should be humble ourselves and submit ourselves to God. We should not be too self-opinion, making decisions without seeking God. Honour God, and do not do things that are in contrary to His commands. Do not do evil. Benefits are better health and healing to our physical body, and physical strength.
9 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine. (NIV)
9 9 Honor the Lord with your substance
and with the first fruits of all your produce;
10 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine. (RSV)
9 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,And your vats will overflow with new wine. (NKJV)
We should honour God with our wealth, money, and income. If we do that, our storage (bank account) will be filled with plenty. If we honour God with our money and wealth, God will bless even more with money and wealth.
10 Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. (Malachi 3"10) (RSV)
We must honour God with our bodies, spirit and our substance (worldly wealth). With our increase, it is rightful that we honour God with a portion of our increase. First-fruits is the concept of tithing.
11 11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (NIV)
11 11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (RSV)
11 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (NKJV)
We need to appreciate and learn from God's chastisement/discipline, and God's rebuke/reproof. The reason we are chastised and rebuked is because God loves us.
Each time we face God's chastisement, we need to think about what we could learn from that, and take the necessary actions to correct and rectify.
The True Wealth (RSV)
13 13 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. (NIV)
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
and the man who gets understanding,
14 14 for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold. (RSV)
Wisdom and Knowledge is highly desirable and sought after. Having Wisdom and Understanding is even more profitable than money and gold/wealth.
Example: If we have lots of money but do not have the wisdom and understanding, the money will diminish or be lost. If we have moderate amount of money, but we have the wisdom and understanding of financial management, this money will grow incrementally. If we have the wisdom and understanding, we know how best to invest the money in appropriate investments. Hence, having Wisdom and Understanding is better than money and riches, silver and gold.
Another example: Knowledge capital. In this knowledge era, knowledge workers are not paid for their physical strength but for their mental capabilities. System analyst, programmers, web designers are paid for their knowledge, thinking, and mental output. Businesses like consultancy, design, education, are knowledge-oriented enterprises. Hence, having Wisdom and Understanding, and Knowledge, we can make money, get income. Hence, having Wisdom and Understanding can help us generate money and riches, continually.
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (RSV)
When God asked Solomon, Solomon requested for understanding mind, for wisdom.
I personally also treasure Wisdom very much. Hence, my son is named Zhi Yuan, meaning the "source of wisdom." I hope he will be equipped with Wisdom, which will be a good resource for his entire life.
15 15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. (RSV)
We are reminded about the characteristics of Wisdom.
1) Wisdom is precious and rare, more precious than jewels. It is not easy to gain Wisdom. Many are intelligent, but few are wise.
2) Wisdom will bring Long Life, as well as riches and honour. Especially in this Knowledge era whereby Knowledge capital is at least as important as Monetary capital. Wisdom can increase the Money and Riches. With wisdom, a man can attain esteem and honor among men, also by God.
3) Ways of Wisdom are pleasant and peace. With wisdom, we will often be at peace with other people. Even when arguments do break out, we will be able to pacify the situation and make peace. Wise men are also blessed with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace,.... as per Galatians 5:22.
4) Wisdom is deemed to be Tree of Life.
5) Wisdom can give us true happiness. Wisdom will cause to be positive thinkers, optimists, rather than pessimists. Positive thinkers and optimists are often happy and joyful, in all situations.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 4:22-23) (NKJV)
When God asked Solomon, Solomon requested for understanding mind, for wisdom.
I personally also treasure Wisdom very much. Hence, my son is named Zhi Yuan, meaning the "source of wisdom." I hope he will be equipped with Wisdom, which will be a good resource for his entire life.
15 15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. (RSV)
We are reminded about the characteristics of Wisdom.
1) Wisdom is precious and rare, more precious than jewels. It is not easy to gain Wisdom. Many are intelligent, but few are wise.
2) Wisdom will bring Long Life, as well as riches and honour. Especially in this Knowledge era whereby Knowledge capital is at least as important as Monetary capital. Wisdom can increase the Money and Riches. With wisdom, a man can attain esteem and honor among men, also by God.
3) Ways of Wisdom are pleasant and peace. With wisdom, we will often be at peace with other people. Even when arguments do break out, we will be able to pacify the situation and make peace. Wise men are also blessed with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace,.... as per Galatians 5:22.
4) Wisdom is deemed to be Tree of Life.
5) Wisdom can give us true happiness. Wisdom will cause to be positive thinkers, optimists, rather than pessimists. Positive thinkers and optimists are often happy and joyful, in all situations.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 4:22-23) (NKJV)
Stop at verse 18. To be continued the next day.
Sunday, Jan 5, 2014.
Michael Yeap.
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%203&version=NIV
RSV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%203&version=RSV
NKJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%203&version=NKJV
Commentaries:
1) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.3.1-Prov.3.6
2) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.3.7-Prov.3.12
3) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.3.13-Prov.3.20
4)
No comments:
Post a Comment