Proverbs 3 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Proverbs 3 Short Summary:
Solomon speaks to his son in Proverbs 3 and encourages him to seek wisdom from the Lord. He writes, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” He goes on to speak of the surpassing value of wisdom and the behavior and lifestyle of a man who has obtained it.
Proverbs 3 Summary
THEMES:
God is the true source of wisdom. Too much reliance on our own hearts will lead us into trouble.
Wisdom is of greater value than gold and jewels.
The behavior and temperament of a wise man.
DEFINITIONS:
Reprove (3:12) – To correct or reprimand.
Discretion (3:21) – The ability to discern a situation or the character of a person accurately.
Devious (3:32) – Being skilled at using underhanded and less-than-honest tactics to get what you want.
OUTLINE:
WISDOM IS FROM THE LORD (3:1-12):
Solomon encourages his son not to forget his teachings, but to store them away because they will help him live a long and peaceful life.
He encourages his son to look to God for his wisdom, not his own feelings and emotions.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (3:5-7).
Living according to God’s wisdom is healing to the flesh and refreshment to the bones.
Even God’s discipline and rebuke is a blessing to a wise man, because it means God loves him and is working to steer him out of the ways of foolishness and into the ways of righteousness.
BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO FINDS WISDOM (3:13-35):
Gaining wisdom is better than gaining gold and it’s worth more than jewels.
Those who possess wisdom reap the benefits of having it, such as long life, wealth, a pleasant life, and many other blessings.
Solomon writes about how the virtue of wisdom was present with God at the creation of the world.
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew” (3:19-20).
The rest of the chapter describes that life of a man with wisdom, its behavior and its blessings.
A wise man will walk securely. He will lie down and not be afraid, enjoying sweet sleep.
A wise man will have confidence in the security the Lord provides.
A wise man will not withhold payment to whom it is due.
A wise man doesn’t plot evil against those who trust him.
A wise man does not get involved in meaningless arguments.
A wise man does not envy violent men and doesn’t keep company with them. He knows devious men are an “abomination to the Lord.”
God will exalt the humble and will give honor to those who love wisdom.
APPLICATION:
As you read through the book of Proverbs, it’s important to keep in mind that the Proverbs discuss principles not promises.
God is not guaranteeing a wise person a long life, nor is He promising wealth and honor to every wisdom seeker (3:16), the Proverbs are best thought of as general rules of life.
Those who seek wisdom and live by it generally live blessed lives free from many of the troubles of those who live in foolishness.
Its important to keep this interpretive truth in mind as you read Proverbs, otherwise you’ll come out of the book with all kinds of expectations that God has never promised to fulfill.
