Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download)
1. What does the godly father exhort his son to do in Proverbs 3:3a (printed below?)
Do not let kindness and integrity forsake you, tie them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 3:3)
As we make our way through “the crowded shopping mall of life,” it is very easy for us to become separated from these twin virtues, “kindness and integrity.” We often come into contact with people who are unkind (they may be rude, harsh, inconsiderate, hateful, thoughtless, thankless, etc.). As we experience their unkindness in their dealings with us, we are tempted to treat them in the same way. But the counsel and commandment of our heavenly Father is this: “DO NOT LET KINDNESS AND INTEGRITY FORSAKE YOU!” We also come into contact with people who are untruthful (sometimes they are less than honest, sometimes they are downright liars and crooks). As we experience their dishonest dealings we; are tempted to treat them in the same way; but once again, we must pay attention to the counsel and commandment of our heavenly Father: “DO NOT LET KINDNESS AND INTEGRITY FORSAKE YOU!”
2. How can we avoid being separated from the twin virtues of kindness and integrity? See Proverbs 3:3b (printed above under question #1)
How can we avoid becoming separated from these twin virtues of kindness and integrity? We are instructed, “tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.” We must make the effort, we must do what is necessary, to remember that we are to imitate our Savior rather than imitate the world. The best way to remember is to get into the habit of practicing these twin virtues of kindness and integrity: take the initiative in displaying these virtues, rather than reacting with their opposite ungodly alternatives.
3. What counsel does the godly father give his son in Proverbs 3:5-6 (printed below?) In practical terms, what does this mean for our lives?
Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not depend upon your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
We are called to be a practicing Christian, rather than a practical unbeliever. There is the great tendency for men to “depend upon their own understanding” instead of depending upon the Word of God. That is to say, the tendency for men to put their complete confidence in themselves—their own reasoning, feelings, schemes, plans, impulses—rather than in the Lord and His Word. There is also the tendency for professing Christians to be selective in their trust of the Lord; they may trust Him with regard to the great issues of eternity, but not with the issues of everyday life. As Christians we must be practicing believers by really committing ourselves to Christ and His Word.
4. What counsel does the father offer his son in verse 9-10 (printed below?) What promise is attached to this command?
Honor Jehovah with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your harvest; (10) then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)
The command of Scripture is to honor the Lord with “the first fruits of all your harvest.” “The first fruits” are the first and the best; we worship the Lord not only with hymns and prayers; but with the giving of the first and the best of our material income. The faithful promise of Scripture is that those who honor the Lord shall be honored by the Lord: “then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
5. In addition to material blessing (many times in an abundance well beyond our daily bread), what else may the child of God expect to receive from our heavenly Father and how are we to react? See Proverbs 3:11-12 (printed below)
My son, do not reject Jehovah’s discipline, and do not become tired of his rebuke, (12) for Jehovah rebukes those whom he loves, just as a father rebukes the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
Having spoken about prosperity and blessing from the Lord (verses 9-10), the next verses go on to speak about discipline from the Lord. In solemn and tender terms (“my son”) the godly father of Proverbs urges us not to reject the discipline of the Lord. We desire life to be easy and comfortable, and we resist any form of discipline (note Hebrews 12:11). But as children of God in Christ Jesus, we are to expect the heavenly Father to love us enough to administer His discipline to our lives.
