Proverbs 3

3:1-12 The Lord blesses those who trust him and seek his will. His correction benefits those who follow him.3:1 To store God’s commands in your heart means not just memorizing them but making them an integral part of life and acting on them.

3:2 Those who obey God’s laws are more likely to live many years; wickedness generally has negative physical and psychological consequences. However, evil people sometimes outlive righteous people (Eccl 7:15-18).

3:3 Loyalty and kindness reflect the intimate and wholehearted commitment of God’s covenant relationship with his people (see Deut 6:8-9). • Write them: For a parallel command, see Prov 7:3.

3:5-6 On the path of wisdom, God himself guides us by the wisdom embodied in his word.

3:8 Healing and strength mean enjoying physical vitality as God’s reward for following wisdom’s way.

3:9-10 God receives honor and blesses his people when they recognize him as the source of all they have and when they give him the best part of everything they produce (Gen 4:3-5; 18:6; Num 18:12, 29).

3:11-12 The Lord’s discipline can take the form of hardships, disappointments, and frustrations (see Heb 12:4-6). Like a good father, God’s purpose is to make us wise, good, and happy.

3:13 Wisdom and understanding provide skill for living and handling life’s problems.

3:14-15 Wisdom is worth more than precious metals and jewels. It leads to relationship with God, the ultimate joy-giver (see 2:1-8).

3:18 The tree of life alludes to the original tree in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:9).

3:19-20 God’s wisdom created harmony in the universe. Having wisdom means living in conformity with principles embedded in creation.

3:21-26 This passage enumerates the benefits of common sense and discernment, which are fruits of wisdom.

3:27-28 A wise person is a kind and helpful neighbor. Proverbs strongly emphasizes helping the financially needy (11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14).

3:29 Because we have frequent contact with those who live nearby, we must not take advantage of them.

3:30 While it is impossible to avoid all conflict, we are not to pick a fight.

3:31-32 The violent will ultimately be punished for their ways (1:18-32), even if they seem to have an enviable position in the world (11:16). The wise will not envy them, because they are detestable to the Lord. God’s friendship is of far greater benefit than anything the violent achieve.