Proverbs 3

Proverbs 3:1:
My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;

Deuteronomy 4:9: Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children--

Let your heart keep my commands: Deciding to not forget God’s word is more than a mental exercise of memory. It is also connected to a life of obedience, in which one does keep the commands of God. If one mentally remembers God’s word yet fails to obey it, we could rightly say he or she has forgotten God’s commands.
i. We note also that this obedience is one of the heart. Our goal in obedience is not mere outward conformity to God’s will, but a heart that loves and obeys Him.
ii. “The heart is the first thing that wanders away from God, and it is also the first thing that returns to God.” (Bridges) --Enduring Word

Proverbs 3:2:
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

For length of days, and long life
Or, "years of life", or "lives" F6; a long life of usefulness and comfort here, and eternal life hereafter: the law of Moses promised a long life to the observers of it; but the Gospel of Christ brings an immortal life to light and promises to all believers in him that they shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. "Length of days for ever and ever" was asked by Christ of his Father, ( Psalms 21:4 ) , and given him, and is in his right hand, ( Proverbs 3:16 ) ; it is in his power to give, and he does give it to all his children, people, and followers, ( Psalms 21:4 ) ( John 17:2 ) ; and peace shall they add to thee;
the Gospel is the Gospel of peace, which not only proclaims peace by the blood of Christ; but the doctrines of it, such as justification by the righteousness of Christ, pardon by his blood, and atonement by his sacrifice, are the means of giving and increasing spiritual peace in the hearts of believers; and so are the ordinances of Christ, which in ( Proverbs 3:17 ) ; are called, for that reason, "paths of peace"; see ( Romans 5:1 Romans 5:11 ) ( Psalms 119:165 ) . -John Gills Exposition of the Bible

Proverbs 3:3:
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,

Mercy and truth are essential components of wisdom. They do not literally forsake men, but the inherent depravity men have from Adam causes you to forsake them. The rule of wisdom here is to love and remember these two pillars of godly conduct in all situations. Most every sin can be isolated and identified as violating either mercy or truth. Beware!
The blessed Lord Jesus had the perfect balance of mercy and truth. No man was more compassionate, even to enemies; no man was stricter about the truth, though it cost Him His life. He forgave easily and quickly, yet He is called Faithful and True (Rev 19:11). Let Him be your holy example to keep mercy and truth ruling your life inside and out. --Let God be True

Proverbs 3:4:
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

When you embrace God's Word – His principles and His wisdom - you will automatically find His favor as well. When you seek His mercy, kindness, and truth and reject and shut out all hatred, selfishness, deliberate hypocrisy, and falsehood, then you will not only find favor, but also good understanding and high esteem in the sight of God and man as well! Proverbs 16:7 AMP says, "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." God's favor on your life translates into favor with man as well. Even sinners will say "yes" to you when they would have said "no" to anyone else. God will send His Spirit and His angels to cause favor to shine on you, from every direction and in all your ways. --Revival Ministries

- Proverbs 3:5-6 -

Proverbs 3:7-8:
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Another warning against self-confidence! (Pr 3:5. Comp. Pr 23:4, Ro 12:3, 16. See the mind of God expressed in that solemn woe, Isa. 5:21.) and who needs it not? So natural is it to idolize our own devices! Yet self-wisdom is self-delusion. (Even a heathen could remark—‘I suppose that many might have attained to wisdom, had they not thought they had already attained it.’ seneca de Irâ.Lib. iii. c. 36. Comp. 1 Cor. 8:2, Gal. 6:3.) True wisdom is its opposite—the fear of God and the fear of sin. (Pr 14:27; 16:6, Gen. 39:9, 10, Neh. 5:15, Job 28:28.) God is loved and honored. Sin is hated, loathed, resisted. (Rom. 7:18–24.) It lives indeed; but it is condemned to die. (Ro 6:6) It cleaves to the child of God; but his heart departs from it. Often is it the sickness of the body: always of the soul. (Hos. 7:9) The departure from it, in the exercise of self-denial and godly discipline, is health to the body (Pr 3:1-2). The soul revives in fruitfulness. (Hos. 14:5–7) The man that feareth the Lord, under “the healing beams of the Sun of Righteousness goeth forth,” (Mal. 4:2) as from his sick chamber, full of life and Christian energy. “The joy of the Lord is his strength.” (Neh. 8:10) --Precept Austin

THERE are two ways in which a practical moralist may attempt to displace from the human heart its love of the world; either by a demonstration of the world’s vanity, so as that the heart shall be prevailed upon simply to withdraw its regards from an object that is not worthy of it; or, by setting forth another object, even God, as more worthy of its attachment; so as that the heart shall be prevailed upon, not to resign an old affection which shall have nothing to succeed it, but to exchange an old affection for a new one.
--Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847)

Proverbs 3:9-10:
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

This wise and wealthy man teaches us to place a high financial and spiritual priority on honoring God with our substance, in particular with the firstfruits of all our increase. When it comes to finances, God is not honored with our intentions. When it comes to money, God is not honored with our plans. He is not honored with what we want to do if we had more. He is not honored with what we hope to do when we can. He is not honored with what we promise to do if He does what we pray He will do. God is honored with our tangible offering, with our substance. According to the Holy Spirit-inspired words of Proverbs 3, God blesses tangible offerings with tangible blessings. Honoring God with our substance results in receiving from God more substance. Honoring God with our palpable firstfruits results in receiving from God more fruit. God is honored when we give Him substance from the barn, not intentions from the heart. God is honored when we give Him the best of our increase, not the leftovers of our increase. -Pastor Kevin Kabel; Calvary Heights Baptist Church

a. Honor the LORD with your possessions: This is another practical way to show that you do trust in the LORD with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5). When we truly trust Him, we can honor Him with generosity that realizes He is the great provider and God has inexhaustible resources.
i. Many commentators note that the word honor has a connection with sacrifice. “Commentaries note that this is the only place where Proverbs alludes to the ceremonial worship…. Proverbs is not so much concerning itself with ceremonial religion here as it is exhorting the reader to demonstrate gratitude toward and confidence in God (rather than in wealth).” (Garrett)
ii. “The third piece of advice is to give back to God some of one’s wealth as a sacrifice in recognition that God gave it.” (Ross)
b. With the firstfruits of all your increase: According to the principle of the sacrifice of the firstfruits, we should give to God the first and best. If we will truly honor the LORD with our giving, it won’t be with the last and leftovers.
i. Firstfruits: “It takes on the technical sense of offering the best of material things.” (Waltke)
ii. The principle of firstfruits also means that we give to God in active anticipation that He will provide more. We honor Him by thinking, “I can give You the first and the best because I know You can and will give much more.”
iii. “The Old Testament Jews brought the Lord the firstlings of their flocks (Exodus 13:1-2) and the firstfruits of their fields (Leviticus 23:9-14), and in this way acknowledged His goodness and sovereignty.” (Wiersbe)
c. So your barns will be filled with plenty: This is a wonderful principle. God is the master and distributor of unlimited resources. He knows how to prosper and take care of those who honor Him with the resources He has given to them.
i. New wine: “New wine, according to F. S. Fitzsimmonds, ‘represents wine made from the first drippings of the juice before the winepress was trodden. As such it would be particularly potent.’” (Waltke) --Enduring Word

Exodus 34:26 26 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
Numbers 18:12 12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.
Numbers 28:26 26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
Deuteronomy 26:10 10 And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:
Nehemiah 10:35 35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:

Pulpit Commentary: Verse 9. - Honour the Lord with thy substance, etc. An exhortation to self-sacrificing devotion by the appropriation and use of wealth to the service of Jehovah. With thy substance (mehonehka); Vulgate, de tua substantia; LXX., ἀπὸ σῶν δικαίων πόνων. Hon, properly "lightness," is "opulence," "wealth," as in Proverbs 1:13. The min in composition with hon is not partitive, as Delitzsch and Berthean take it, but signifies "with" or "by means of," as in Psalm 38:7; Isaiah 58:12; Ezekiel 28:18; Obadiah 1:9. The insertion of δικαίος by the LXX. limits the wealth to that which is justly acquired, and so guards against the erroneous idea that God is honoured by the appropriation to his use of unlawful wealth or gain (Plumptre). The Israelites "honoured Jehovah with their substance" when they contributed towards the erection of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and later when they assisted in the preparations for the building of the temple, and in the payment of tithes. The injunction may undoubtedly refer to tithes, and is in accordance with the requirement of the Mosaic Law on that and other points as to oblations, free will offerings, etc.; but it has a wider bearing and contemplates the use of wealth for all pious and charitable purposes (see Proverbs 14:31). The word maaser, "tithe," does not occur in the Proverbs. With the firstfruits (mere-shith); Vulgate, de primitiis. So Targum Jonathan, Syriac, and Arabic. The law of the firstfruits is found in Exodus 22:29; Exodus 23:19; Exodus 34:20; Leviticus 23:10; Numbers 18:12: Deuteronomy 18:4; Deuteronomy 26:1-3. The firstfruits were presented by every Israelite to the priests, in token of gratitude and humble thankfulness to Jehovah, and consisted of the produce of the land in its natural state, or prepared for human food (Maclear, 'Old Test. Hist.,' bk. 4, c. 3, a). The "firstfruits" also carried with it the idea of the best. The custom of offering the firstfruits of the field and other revenues as a religious obligation was observed by ancient pagan nations (see Diod. Sic., 1:14; Plut., 'De Iside,' p. 377; Pliny, 'Hist. Nat.,' 18:2 (Zockler). Some of the ancient commentators find in this verse an argument for the support of the ministry. It is well known that the priests "lived of the sacrifice," and were "partakers of the altar," and as their support by these means tended to the maintenance of Divine worship, so those who supported them were in the highest degree "honoring God." The injunctions also show that the honouring of God does not consist simply of lip service, of humility and confidence in him, but also of external worship, and in corporeal things. They are not peculiar to Israel, but are binding on all. They oppose all selfish use of God's temporal gifts, and lead to the thought that, in obeying them, we are only giving back to God what are his own. "The silver and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:28).

Proverbs 3:11-12:
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:5-7).

Chastening is divine discipline at work in producing holiness in the child of God. Hebrews 12:10 tells us that God uses chastening for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. No chastening is exercised to punish us, but, rather, to bring to our attention things in our life that do not please God. The hurt and tears in chastening result in holiness and triumph for the believer.
We see the paternity.
“For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” As our Heavenly Father, God knows what is best for us. His chastening in our lives represents His Fatherly love for us. Chastening demonstrates that we are sons of God. When the law is broken, a convicted individual is subject to discipline that is harsh and severe. It is punishment given with idea of retaliation for the wrong that was done. With chastening, the goal is to correct bad behavior and, ultimately, conforming more to the image of Christ. --My God Morning

William Henry Green Files

Under the pressure of intense affliction men are in danger of falling into one of two extremes, either of which is inconsistent with fidelity to the Lord's service. The first is that of repining and murmuring at the divine allotment. The other is that of bearing it in a spirit of hardened indifference. The wise man warns us against both. "My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction: For whom the Lord loves He corrects..."(Prov 3:11-12). Job avoided both of these dangers in that subdued but noble demeanor which has been in all ages since the model of submissive resignation. The stricken patriarch, bowed with grief, adopts the token of the most profound humiliation and sorrow: he rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground. Not to sit in the sullen silence and brood despondently over the terrible losses which he had sustained, not to complain of the providence of God which had dealt so hardly with him, no, he prostrates himself in reverential worship; he bows with meek submission to Him who had smitten him, and his only language is that of grateful adoration to the Source of all blessings, who in removing all had but taken away what He Himself had given. Job fell down upon the ground and worshipped and said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).
--William Henry Green; The Book of Job Unfolded; 1874

Proverbs 3:13-18:
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,.... Some connect these words with the preceding; as if the sense was, a good man, though he is chastened by the Lord, yet is a happy man; not only because his chastenings are in love and for good, but because he improves in spiritual knowledge and understanding by them; see Psalm 94:12. Aben Ezra connects them with the former, but in a different manner, thus; "happy is the man that findeth wisdom", for by it he keeps from sinning, that chastisements may not come upon him. But rather the argument in praise of wisdom, and the advantages of it, insisted on in the preceding chapter, is resumed here and enlarged upon; and by wisdom is meant Christ, and a saving knowledge of him by means of his Gospel; and "finding" him supposes seeking him; which does not arise from nature, but the grace of God, and follows upon the sight of the need and worth of Christ; and is done in the use of means, as reading, praying, and attendance on the word and ordinances: and finding him is no other than an enjoyment of him by faith; which is a seeing him, a taking hold on him, and possessing him; who is to be found in the covenant of grace, being the Mediator, surety, and messenger of it; in the Gospel, which is full of him; in the promises of it, which hold him forth, and the blessings of his grace; in the ordinances, which direct unto him, and where he shows himself: for he is not to be found by the light of nature, nor by carnal reason, nor by the law of Moses; but by means of the Gospel, attended with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; and a happy finding this, which fills the possessor with inexpressible joy! see John 1:41; --Gills Notes on the Bible

Proverbs: 3:19-24:
19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Wisdom is woven into the fabric of creation. It is an essential element of God’s created order. By embracing wisdom, we embrace the reality of what is.

Let God be true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4)! Here is fabulous truth about the origin of the earth and heavens. Any science that contradicts it is false science (I Tim 6:20-21). For you to appreciate wisdom in Solomon’s Proverbs, God used it to create the universe.

1 Timothy 6:20–21
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Proverbs 3:25-35:
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh
26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Romans 8:15
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Psalm 34:4
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 118:6
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Proverbs 29:25
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Isaiah 41:10
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

These two verses conclude a short section from father to son about how life can be — when we’re connected to wisdom, understanding, sound judgment and discretion (:21).
Admittedly, there’s some question as to whether these bad things are happening to or coming from “the wicked.” But verse 25 is very clear that we won’t need to be concerned!
Together, these verses offer a compelling promise of safety — mental (“have no fear”) and physical (“the LORD…will keep your foot from being snared”) — when “sudden disaster or…ruin” shows up. We can be certain about this because “the LORD will be at your side.” -Helping Us Mission

Today, the world is flooded with one horrible news after another, making men’s hearts fail them. Therefore, it is also of great importance now to honor the Lord by obeying His command, be not afraid of sudden fear. The Lord must be our confidence. For a child of God to fear what is happening in the world means to dishonor God. Just as in the time of Noah, what was destroying the world was lifting Noah and his family up. They were secure in the place of safety. Noah honored the Lord by fully trusting Him to keep him safe in the time of great desolation. -Cikev Oaza

What guards your heart from fear? Only one protector is sure and faithful, his name is the LORD. He is our confidence and protector. As Paul said so powerfully long ago, prayer and the Holy Spirit are our assurance of God's deliverance. Either we will be delivered from death to serve God powerfully or we will be delivered through death to share with him in eternity. We will not be snared when our fate and future remain in God's hands! -Heartlight

Fear is one of life’s worst experiences. A dreaded event may be imagined, or it may be real, but both are very painful. Terrifying news or reports of danger can suddenly cause great alarm and fear. Or you may know God is going to severely judge the wicked around you. But in both cases, wise men will be happy and peaceful, because God will be their confidence in danger, and He will deliver them from judgment of the wicked (Pr 3:26).
The larger context describes the many benefits of wisdom (Pr 3:1-22). The smaller context teaches that peace from fear and safety from danger are some of these benefits (Pr 3:23-24). The proverb above declares wisdom’s value to deliver men from surprise events and trouble and from God’s judgment of sinners. Because wisdom includes the fear of God and obedience to Him, He will save such men and women from both dangers. -Let God Be true

When God is abroad in judgments, He would not have His people alarmed. He has not come forth to harm, but to defend the righteous.
I. He would have them manifest courage. We who enjoy the presence of God ought to display presence of mind. Since the Lord Himself may suddenly come, we ought not to be surprised at anything sudden. Serenity under the rush and roar of unexpected evils is a precious gift of Divine love.
II. The Lord would have His chosen display discrimination, so that they may see that the desolation of the wicked is not a real calamity to the universe. Sin alone is evil; the punishment which follows thereupon is as a preserving salt to keep society from putrefying. We should be far more hocked at the sin which deserves hell than at the hell which comes out of sin.
III. So, too, should the Lords people exhibit great quietness of spirit. Satan and his serpent seed are full of all subtilty; but those who walk with God shall not be taken in their deceitful snares. Go on, believe in Jesus, and let the Lord be thy confidence. (C. H. Spurgeon.) --Exegetical & Hermeneutical Commentary

Proverbs 3:27-31:
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Deuteronomy 15:7-18 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. 9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. ...

Do not devise evil against your neighbor: God’s wisdom teaches us to treat others well. Since our own security and safety are connected to the good of our neighbor, then for safety’s sake we should not strive with our neighbor when there is no cause (if he has done you no harm).
i. Do not devise: “Do not plan renders a verb meaning concretely ‘to plow’ and figuratively, always ethical, ‘to prepare [i.e., plan]’ good or evil deeds.” (Waltke)
ii. “Do not be of a litigious, quarrelsome spirit. Be not under the influence of too nice a sense of honour. If thou must appeal to judicial authority to bring him that wrongs thee to reason, avoid all enmity, and do nothing in a spirit of revenge.” (Clarke)
iii. “We must beware of becoming involved in quarrels (Proverbs 17:14; 18:6; 25:8-9) instead of pursuing peace (Romans 12:18). A spirit of strife is a great hindrance to holiness (Hebrews 12:14; Colossians 3:12-15) and is inconsistent for any of God’s servants (2 Timothy 2:24). (Bridges) --Enduring Word

Proverbs 3:32-35:
32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Proverbs 3:30-32 The Message (MSG)Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight. Don’t try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully? “Why not?” you say. Because GOD can’t stand twisted souls. It’s the straightforward who get his respect.

God responds in kind to the actions of men. To those who are free from corruption and defilement, God will be kind; but to those who are stubborn and butt-headed, God will be difficult to deal with, as David said, "With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward" (Psa 18:26). The froward man therefore has a life of difficulty ahead of him, as Solomon wisely observed: "Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them" (Pro 22:5). The aforementioned are additional reasons to choose none of the ways of the oppressor (Pro 3:31). --Excelsior Springs Church

Solomon knew the natural tendency his young son would have for a thirst for power. Our world has been plagued by conflict. Human history has been and will continue to be a fight over power. Nations fight for power in the world. Races fight for power in society. Politicians fight for power in a community. Couples fight for power in a home. Employees fight for power in a company. In this thirst for power, there are rarely any rules followed. People will do whatever it takes to get power. For the power-hungry person, oppression seems like a sure path to power. After all, history shows us that some of the most powerful people our world has ever seen have been ruthless dictators. It’s easy for an employee to see oppressive tactics as the way to power when they work under an oppressive boss. It’s easy for a child to see oppressive behavior as the path to power when they grow up under an oppressive parent. It’s easy for a citizen to see oppressive policies as the road to power when they live under an oppressive leader.

Solomon didn’t want his son or his readers to envy the power of an oppressive community member or an oppressive neighboring king. He warned his readers first of envying oppressors to ultimately warn them of becoming oppressors themselves. Envy leads to Copy. We envy someone when they have something or someone we want. By envying someone, we’re acknowledging that they’re something we aren’t. By envying someone, we’re acknowledging that they have something we don’t. Envy is an emotion that naturally leads us to imitate or copy the person at the center of our envy. Imitating the person we envy is often done unknowingly but it is almost always done willingly. Solomon warned his son of envying the oppressor so that he would ultimately “choose NONE of his ways.” He didn’t want his son to become oppressive in ANY WAY. --Calvary Heights Baptist Church