Proverbs is full of promises, or at least what sound like promises, that are hard for us to reconcile. The early verses of Proverbs 3 are a particular example of this as the proverbs follow a repeated pattern, the odd verses give an instruction or command to follow, and the even verses explain the promised result or consequences. Some of the promises in this chapter include, life and peace (v2); favor with God and people (v4); straight paths (v6); healing (v8); and prosperity (v10). What are we to make of these promises, especially when in our assessment these promises don’t pan out the way we usually read them? These verses require two important considerations in our evaluation. First, they require us to remember what a proverb is. We can’t look at proverbs as failed prophecies or bad systematic theologies. These verses succeed at being proverbs, which means that as proverbs they will inevitably include sweeping statements that are generally true, but that require us to think carefully about the times when they will and won’t be true. This is true of even secular proverbs for we say both that “Many hands make light work,” and “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” Secondly, when we assess these promises, we must not be so earthly focused that we miss the spiritual realities to which they point. God’s reality operates on a higher level than the reality of this physical world. So when God speaks of long life and peace, He speaks of everlasting life through faith in Him. Favor with God and people points to the impact our lives can have on people’s destinies. His leading us in straight paths refer to God’s help in transforming our lives to coincide with the righteousness He declares to be ours through Christ. Healing and strength is an overall soundness of mind and body. And the prosperity of v10 speaks to a transformed perspective toward what we have and the value of wisdom (v14-18). These promises might not be the things we would naturally look for in our sinful flesh, but they are blessings that far exceed any of the things that we consider blessings of the things of earth. These consequences of seeking wisdom are great motivators toward a life that in light of eternity would be considered truly blessed (v13). So find wisdom, find Christ, and be blessed. –Pastor Rory
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: Pastor Rory–Attitudes in Prayer: Confession
10AM: Pastor Rory–Wisdom’s Promise, 2–Proverbs 3:1-26 (sermon notes)
5PM: Potluck
6PM: Pastor Rory–Seek Peace–1 Peter 3:8-17
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