Proverbs 3:11-15
 
Prov 3:11 (KJB)
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
 
Despise - Abhor, refuse, or reject
Chastening - Discipline or warning
Be weary - Loathe or dread
 
As the Father’s love bestows the good things in a person’s life, here we are being counseled that we must realize that there are two sides to fatherhood. The other side is doling out discipline when necessary. As Christians we must realize that we can begin to go astray and that is when God’s chastising hand comes down on us. It is not a hand of hatred nor it is a hand of destruction. If we are heading in the wrong direction, then God will take it upon Himself to correct us. Sometimes that correction is not always pleasant but it is done for our benefit. Here we are told that we must never despise any chastening from the Lord because that too is also designed as a pattern of growth in our spiritual lives. Sometimes we live under God’s chastising hand for a period of time and that is when we feel maybe the time is too long because we have already learned our lesson. It is at this time we must never become weary of the correction because God in His wisdom, will stop the correction when He knows that we have fully learned the lesson that He is imparting to us. A partial lesson learned is a lesson learned not. So when God chastises us, we must realize that it is for our benefit and a wise person will seek to learn throughout the entire chastisement.
 
Prov 3:12 (KJB)
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
 
Correcteth - Reproves or sets right
Delighteth - Pleased
 
If God did not correct us, could He honestly state that He loves us? The answer would be no because correcting someone when they are going down a wrong path shows the person that they are worth investing time and procedure in. As much as we hate to admit it, correction is as much a part of love as the bestowing of gifts. Many do not like rainy days but without rain, how would the crops grow that we eat? (Isa 62:4 KJV) Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. As children of God by salvation in Christ, God delights in us because He has invested the life of His Son in all our lives. It is because God delights in us is why He chastises us, so we would become stronger in the faith and discerning so we will guard our Christian walk much more closely. If God did not chastise you when you sin or are going down a wrong road, then it means you are unsaved. (Heb 12:8 KJV) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. When God chastises you, it is another assurance of your salvation.
 
Prov 3:13 (KJB)
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
 
Happy - Blessed
Understanding - Intelligence, aptitude, or insight
 
Here Solomon is teaching us based upon the fruits of wisdom which he has given us in various verses, he is now stating that a person is blessed when they find both wisdom and understanding. A person who lives aloof of wisdom all their life will not know what true blessedness is without wisdom and understanding. The wisdom God gives will make a person much wiser, even if they have a past reputation of being foolish. The reason a person is happier finding wisdom and understanding is that they go through life with an upper hand because they now possess the ability to discern situations they encounter. Those without wisdom and understanding will always fall prey to circumstances because they live beneath them instead of above them. Wisdom and understanding gives a person the ability to see the big picture including consequences for taking the wrong way.
 
Prov 3:14 (KJB)
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
 
Merchandise - Gain or profit
Gain - Fruit, profit, or produce
 
The profit gained from wisdom and understanding is far better than the riches of this world simply because gold and silver can be lost in one day but when one gains wisdom, it produces fruit all their life and no downturn in any economy can take that away from them. In fact, those who have much wisdom will fare better in hard times than those who relied on gold and silver. People who rely on gold and silver will never increase in true wisdom because gold and silver is their wisdom. He who has ears to hear! God’s wisdom always transcends the wisdom of the world because the wisdom of the world is sin tainted and satanic.
 
Prov 3:15 (KJB)
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
 
A ruby is a precious stone but here Solomon is teaching that wisdom is far more valuable than rubies and it is more to be desired than whatever the eye can lust after. Rubies would fall into the same category as silver and gold because even precious stones can lose their value. Something is only worth something if someone is willing to buy it, otherwise it is worthless. God’s wisdom is far greater than the riches which are taken from the earth because it is infinite and limitless. Riches only have a certain value and will not go beyond that. As a matter of fact, it is man that sets the prices for gold, silver, and precious stones. These things cannot impart anything since they are inanimate objects but God’s wisdom is a living wisdom given to those who have become saved through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

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