My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For the length of days and long life and peace, they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall ]direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding, He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes—Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful But gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
God reminds us to not forget his commands because it will add years to our lives and prosper us. They will add peace to us and we are told to bind mercy and truth around our necks and not forget about these precious truths. Why?
We find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man because we show favor toward God and man. Next, we benefit by leaning not on our own understanding but to trust in God with all of our hearts, minds, and spirits. He will always guide us in paths of mercy and truth if we trust Him and obey His commands.
Let’s pour out first fruits out on the Lord and He will overflow our barns with grain and our vats with new wine. So, we give to God He will always out give us because He said in Malachi 3:10” Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
God promises to pour out so much goodness on us that we won’t have enough room to store it. God will give us an abundant overflow because God cannot help Himself but to bless us. It’s His heart to bless His children because He abounds in grace and mercy.
All of wisdom’s ways are pleasant and full of mercy to those who love her and honor her by obeying her. She will add years to your life if you obey her. Length of days is in her right hand and in her left hand are riches and honor. Let us walk in mercy and truth and catch God’s attention. Praise Him forever!