Meditation on Proverbs 3-4
Continuing along the same vein as Chapters 1-2, the Teacher is narrating.
3:1-12
My friend, I have taught you a lot so far on this journey. Don’t forget and really take it to heart. What I have shown you will help you live a long and rich life. In all of this, don’t lose your grip on two things — love and loyalty. Wear them like a treasured necklace; tattoo those words over your heart. If you do, your reputation will precede you — in both God’s eyes and those you do business with. Remember that you don’t have to figure all this out on your own — you can trust the Divine with everything in you. Seek that wisdom, that voice wherever you go, for it will keep you on the straight path. Don’t make assumptions that you know everything. You don’t. Pay attention and run from evil. Seek the Divine. This path leads to good health — from your skin all the way to your bones! If you choose to be honorable with everything you have, if you take the first and best off the top and give that to God, the principle is that your cup will overflow and your storage houses will burst. Sometimes you will need to be disciplined. It happens to all of us and it is necessary. Don’t be immature and pout like a child. Because like a child, we all need correction and that discipline is what causes us to grow.
3:13-20
When you meet Wisdom and Insight, you will be blessed with their friendship; it’s worth far more than a stack of cash in the bank or an executive salary. The value of their counsel is greater than a pile full of treasure — worth far more than you can wish for or imagine. Wisdom is like a big tree that you hug in the woods — when you do, look up and experience beauty, completion, and life. The earth was formed with Wisdom present, the Divine raised the heavens with Insight standing by. The rivers, streams, and morning dew, all ready to move at the proper command.
3:21-28
Oh my friend, common sense and reason is so important. Guard it so carefully. Don’t let it them out of your sight for a second for they will keep you alive and in good shape. As you journey on the adventure of life, you will experience safety and longevity. Your feet won’t get tangled up and cause you to fall, and you will rest well and awake refreshed. Knowing that you are surrounded by Divine presence will give you assurance that you are safe — nothing will cause you to freak out.
3:27-35
When you see someone who needs help, don’t walk away from them. Don’t say, I catch you later or ask me again tomorrow. Do what you can to help them, especially if you have some cash in your wallet. In so doing, you are being the hand of the Divine. Also, don’t try and take advantage of people. Don’t be a bully. Ever. Get rid of the chip on your shoulder. People who are like that are not respected. Those who are honorable and truthful get respect. The houses of people who are seeking good living and kindness are blessed. Those who seek anger, harm, and violence live in their own hell. People who choose to live wisely are rewarded. If you choose to live like an idiot, well then… there you are.
4:1-9
I’m going to give you some good advice, so please listen closely to what I am about to tell you. Seriously — it’s good counsel. Let it really sink it. Back when I was a kid, sitting on dad’s knee with my beaming mom looking on, Dad would do the same thing. He would sit me down and say, “Listen, my child. Take what I am telling you to heart and really learn to live! Be willing to sell all you have so you can buy Wisdom. Search like a squirrel in the fall for Understanding. Remember every word and hold the line. Don’t walk away from Wisdom because she is keeping her eyes alert, watching over you, loving you, guarding your life. So that’s my point. Get Wisdom. Top of your goal list. And secondly, get Understanding. Hold tight to both of them and don’t let go. If you do, wow… your life will be fantastic, glorious even — filled with days of grace and beauty.”
4:10-15
Like I keep repeating… heed my advice, my friend. I promise you that it will help you. I’ll even help you out my giving you a map so you don’t end up wandering around lost and confused, going down the wrong streets and wasting time. That’s why I keep saying, listen to good advice. Hold it tight with both hands. Don’t take the easy path that everyone else is going down. In fact, just stay far away from it and follow the trail that I gave you.
4:16-20
It’s a study in contrasts — troublemakers are restless; they love to be about stirring up problems. It’s like the can’t rest until they messed up someone’s days. The tools of their trade are violence and mischief, and couple that with perversity, it all adds up to someone you don’t want to be around. If you take their road, you will end up falling on your face in the darkness. But if you can find someone who is living above the fray, stick closely to them. You will see their light illuminating the sky. Their words of life and acts of love shine bright and their way is clearly lit.
4:20-27
This message should be written plainly and framed on your wall so you don’t miss seeing it. Study it. Memorize it. You should know it so well. If you really dig deep, you will live. I mean for real live. Like it will manifest in your body as health and healing. You know that life is in your heart, so you need to be vigilant in guarding your heart. And your mouth too. It’s easy to be careless and say things that you shouldn’t. Be truthful. Avoid gossip and stupid jokes. Keep your eyes focused and fixed and ignore all the chaos and crazy on either side. This is living above the fray! And like my grandpa always said, watch your step. The road ahead will be long and smooth, so stay straight on; leave evil behind you and goodness and hope ahead of you.
Note: I read from the NLT and Message and just put them in my own words, so sometimes the phrasing may be similar since it is often stated so well in a way that I would say it myself.