19, 20. The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use to seek its possession. read more
5. The value of Wisdom 3:13-35"Sages reserve the laudatory exclamation blessed (’asre [Proverbs 3:13]) for people who experience life optimally, as the Creator intended." [Note: Waltke, The Book . . ., p. 256.] Long life, riches, and honor (Proverbs 3:16) were the rewards God promised the godly under the Old Covenant. The tree of life figure (Proverbs 3:18) implies that wisdom is the source and sustainer of a long and beneficial life (cf. Proverbs 3:16). [Note: See Ralph Marcus, "The Tree of... read more
The Blessings of Obedience and of ChastisementThe first and third divisions, 1-10, 21-35, are exhortations to good conduct and promises of consequent blessing. The second, 11-20, declares the profitableness of divine chastening and the value of wisdom.1. Law] or ’direction.’ The teacher speaks as one having authority. 3. Mercy] RM ’kindness.’ He is to retain kindness and faithfulness, as he would the signet-ring which hangs from his neck by a cord (Genesis 38:18; Song of Solomon 8:6), or as the... read more
(e) Fifth Discourse:—Wisdom as Creator and Protector (Proverbs 3:19-26).(19) The Lord by wisdom . . .—A passage anticipatory of the doctrine of John 1:3. (Comp. Psalms 104:24; Psalms 136:5.) A further advance towards the personality of the Creator is made in Proverbs 8:27, sqq. read more
Self-reliant Or God-reliant? Proverbs 3:5-6 No one who reads the book of Proverbs can fail to see that its maxims are of the utmost value. We should truly be the poorer without its pithy, practical sayings, which bear upon almost every phase of life. How much we need to remember the verses that I read as our text. I. It is Often Considered a Fine Thing to be Self-Reliant. Many men boast that they rely only on themselves. A man will point with pride to his prosperous business and say, 'I... read more
CHAPTER 10TWO VOICES IN THE HIGH PLACES OF THE CITYProverbs 9:1-18, Proverbs 20:14 with Proberbs 3, and Proverbs 20:16 with Proverbs 4:1-27AFTER the lengthened contrast between the vicious woman and Wisdom in chapters 7 and 8, the introduction of the book closes with a little picture which is intended to repeat and sum up all that has gone before. It is a peroration, simple, graphic, and beautiful.There is a kind of competition between Wisdom and Folly, between Righteousness and Sin, between... read more
CHAPTER 3 1. The call and promise of wisdom (Proverbs 3:1-10 ) 2. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom (Proverbs 3:11-20 ) 3. Promise and instruction (Proverbs 3:21-25 ) Proverbs 3:1-10 . The call to obedience is followed by promise. The promise is like all the promises to an earthly people “for length of days and long life”. Here are some blessed exhortations loved and cherished by all His people (Proverbs 3:5-7 ). How happier, and more fruitful the children of God would be if they... read more
3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath {k} founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.(k) By this he shows that this wisdom of which he speaks is everlasting, because it was before all creatures and that all things even the whole world were made by it. read more
The nature of this book makes divisions of its chapters rather arbitrary, and ours may not always be the best, but it is hoped it may prove useful in some degree. The opening of chapter four suggests a new beginning, for which reason we conclude this lesson at the close of chapter three. It begins with an advertisement (Proverbs 1:1-6 ), in which mention is made of the author (Proverbs 1:1 ), the object of the book (Proverbs 1:2-3 ), and its great value (Proverbs 1:4-6 ). Then follows its... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 3:19-20
Proverbs 3:19-20. The Lord by wisdom, &c.— See Job 38:4; Job 38:41. The effects which we call natural are the productions of the Creator's sovereign wisdom. Some understand by the depths broken up, the waters of the deluge; others, the original creation and distribution of the waters. The dews in Palestine are much more abundant than in our countries, whence the wise man gives them the same origin with the rain, namely the clouds; though the dew does not descend from so great a height. read more