Proverbs 3:13-18 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 honor. 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.

Opening: In Sri Lanka a man had hired a well dug in his back yard. While workmen were digging – looking for water – they found a star sapphire cluster. Since it was on his property, it belonged to him. He had it appraised through a gem trader and found out the 2.5 million carat sapphire is worth up to $100 million. The owner named it the “Serendipity Sapphire”. If you found it in your back yard, it wouldn’t look like anything at all to you. You might have rolled it out to the trash pickup. You’d have been wrong!

Gold is much like this sapphire. The inexperienced may find gold, but never know it’s gold, because it looks like dirty quartz until its refined. What looks like gold when you find it is Iron Pyrite, Chalcopyrite or Fool’s Gold. Gold, which isn’t golden until it’s processed, is worth $2336.30an ounce as of April 23, 2024. Fool’s Gold is worth .55 cents per ounce.

The miner is a person who has studied gold and it’s value. The miner knows how to prospect for gold, and how to ignore the false. Had the man who discovered the Serendipity Sapphire not been acquainted with gemstones, he would have tossed out this Guinness Book of World Records (largest star sapphire cluster ever found) stone.

As valuable as the Serendipity Sapphire is, there is something much greater in value. It is WISDOM.

Wisdom cannot be stolen from you. This is why the Bible says:

vs 14 the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver

Learn To Mine Wisdom From God’s Word, Not Rock From the Earth

Silver, gold, and diamonds can be easily stolen. Money in your bank account can be easily stolen. Hackers can get into your bank, and get all you have. Or bank tellers can push a wrong button, and your life savings is gone. Poof. Just like that.

Illustrate: Several years ago I left my silver coin sets out on a table in my home. While Sherry and I were gone out, thieves broke in and stole a lot of the silver. Oddly enough, they grabbed the shiniest pieces which, worth much, were not worth as much as they left behind. In the world of Numismatics (pronounced noo-miz-ma-ticks) it is the older, often dingier looking coin that is much more valuable. The fools go for the “Fool’s Gold”, but the wise know real value. Wisdom can be gained, and should be accrued as you grow. That wisdom you have cannot be taken away from you. You can only give it away, blessing others. We are told:

Vs 15 more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her

Word Study: Sapphires and Rubies are of the same mineral called corundum. When it forms blue, it’s a sapphire. When red, it’s a ruby. God is telling us that – as valuable as the Serendipity Sapphire is – WISDOM is much more “PRECIOUS” (yāqār), “more excellent, more costly”. In fact,

The Lord tells us that if you were to take everything you’ve ever desired – money, power, fame, good looks – wisdom would be worth more than it all.

The ancient Philosopher Plato said, “Better be unborn than untaught, for ignorance is the root of misfortune”. Wisdom from God teaches us to live our lives in joy and peace. Properly applied wisdom brings blessing. The Scripture says:

Vs 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.

We’ve seen this before in Proverbs. Throughout the Proverbs God expresses the same thing using different poetic language. When we studied verse 2 of this chapter last week:

Proverbs 3:2 … for LENGTH OF DAYS and LONG LIFE … shall they add to you ..

We found out that “LENGTH OF DAYS” and “LONG LIFE” refers to QUANTITY as well as QUALITY of life. The same thing is true here. Wisdom is shown as a woman who, in her RIGHT hand has “Length of days”. Throughout the Scripture the RIGHT HAND was the hand of blessing.

Illustration: When Israel (Jacob) blessed Joseph’s children before he died, he laid his right hand on the second born child, Ephraim. When Joseph objected – for the firstborn was to be blessed with the right hand – Israel said:

“God will make Ephraim (the second born) as Manasseh” (Genesis 48:20)

The Right Hand of God is where the Son of God sits (Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33; Acts 7:55-56; Romans 8:34). When you heed God’s Word, His Wisdom, you are blessed by the Son of God.

Riches And Honor Are Not From The World, But God

When you are under Wisdom’s right hand, with it comes the LEFT HAND. In Wisdom’s left hand is “RICHES AND HONOR”. Riches and honor does not mean to have a full bank account. It means to LIVE A GOOD LIFE IN CHRIST. King David prayed in:

1 Chronicles 29:10-12 (NKJV) Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all.

Longer life as well as a blessed life is promised to those who seek out and cherish wisdom. Silver, gold, and sapphires can buy you things, but they cannot add one minute to your life. Often those who are richest in material wealth are the most miserable of people.

Wisdom not only protects you from misery, but it
protects you from an early death.

The unwise person runs around with other foolish people who do things that endanger their lives. They drink alcohol to excess, or take dangerous drugs, or as a few years ago, eat Tide™ pods. Why? Because you are trying to impress someone who could care less about you. If you want a good life, we should mine for Wisdom through God’s Word.

Proverbs 3:17-18 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold (ḥāzaq, pronounced khaw-zak’, to grab with all your strength) upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth (tāmaḵ, pronounced taw-mak’, to hold fast, to stay close to) her.

Again we have a picture of the miner, who goes outside his comfort zone to find gold. He dedicates his life to seeking out the true gold. It is so sad that we as Americans today will burn up all our energy on jobs, hobbies, games, politics, television, social media, foods, and so on – but will devote little time to God and His Word. The writer of Ecclesiastes states:

Ecclesiastes 9:16-18 … Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard. 17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.

Wisdom does not matter whose hands it is in. The “poor man’s wisdom” is much greater than the rich man’s foolishness. I am reminded of the story Jesus told us of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man – well respected, famous, and blessed financially – ignored Biblical Wisdom, the Word of God, and lived his life as if there was no God. He had no respect for human life, but treated the poor as dogs, even wild dogs. Lazarus, on the other hand, was known by Jesus. Jesus knew his name. JESUS KNEW HIS NAME.

Word Study: He was “Lazarus” (lazaros, pronunciation lad’-zar-os) which means “The One Whom God Helps”. The rich man helped himself year after year, ignoring God, having no relationship with Him. But Lazarus looked to God for blessing, and trusted in His Grace though times were often tough. When they died, what happened?

Luke 16:22-23 {Lazarus} died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Lazarus had wisdom. He looked to God, the Author of True Wisdom. Having wisdom, Lazarus had “RICHES AND HONOR”. What! You say he has “RICHES AND HONOR”? You’re mad, he was a BEGGAR. Those who are saved are all BEGGARS at the Throne of Grace. When Lazarus died, he had “RICHES” for he was known of Jesus. In this life Lazarus had nothing, but in the next life he was taken to Father Abraham, the father of all who believe (see Romans 4:16). When Lazarus died, he had “HONOR”. He was given an ANGELIC ESCORT into glory, where he could be comforted in the arms of God.

God’s Word Brought Order From Darkness

Proverbs 3:19-20 The Lord by wisdom hath founded (yāsaḏ, pronunciation yaw-sad’) 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.

Word Study: It is God’s “WISDOM” that lay the foundation of the earth. It is by Christ “all things CONSIST” (Colossians 1:17), Greek synistēmi (pronunciation soon-is’-tay-mee) which means “are held together”. The Scripture says “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” (Psalm 33:6).

It was not evolution that created earth and its environment. It was not man, nor any creature that brought about creation. It was God. It is God Who sustains all things by His Word. Compare that to the wisdom of man, the wisdom of the rich.

Rich people on the Massachusetts coast spent $500,000.00 to build sand dunes in front of the beach front property. It was washed away in three days! What of God’s creation? Earth is in a remote part of our Galaxy, the Milky Way. The only star near us is the sun, which is placed a perfect distance from the earth. How long will our sun last? Scientists calculate that the fuel of the sun, hydrogen, will run out in 5 BILLION years, but once it runs out will take 2-3 BILLION years to go through star death. What the rich fools did cost half a million dollars and lasted three days. What God did in the sun will last another 7.5 BILLION years.

The molten magnetic core of the earth not only helps us find North and South, but protects us from sun flares. The energy emitted by a solar flare is a million times more powerful than a volcanic eruption on earth.

The giant planet Jupiter protects the earth by eating up asteroids or comets that come near. It has been called “the vacuum cleaner of our solar system”. Our moon stabilizes our climate. God’s hand of design is seen all throughout creation.It is God’s Word that designed the rain clouds, and the cycle of water that sustains life on our planet.

Proverbs 3:21-23 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep (nāṣar pronunciation naw-tsar’) 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.

Word Study: The believer in God is encouraged to “KEEP or GUARD SOUND WISDOM”. The stepbrother of Christ wrote:

James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The Wisdom of God is based on God Himself. It is SPIRITUAL, not fleshly and self serving. “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”. God used His Word to give us life, and offers His Word to save us.

The Wise Live To Honor The God Who Saved Them:
5 Applications Of Wisdom

At this point Proverbs 3 God uses 5 verse sets to teach Biblical truth. Let’s look at these texts:

Proverbs 3:25-26 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 Don’t worry about what your enemy may or may not do. Trust in the Lord. Let Him avenge you:

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Proverbs 3:27-28 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 neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

2 If God in Grace has given you the means to do so, do good to your fellow man. Jesus spoke of this when He said:

Matthew 5:42-48 (ESV) Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

3 Be Light, Not Darkness To Those Around You.

Proverbs 3:29-30 Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

Who is your neighbor? It is not the person who looks like you, but the person near you. Jesus explained this with the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). In that story a man of unknown race and heritage was attacked, stripped, and left on the side of the road as dead. A “Priest”, more than likely a Levite who functioned in the office of priest in the Temple, actually crossed the road when he saw the wounded man. Then a “Levite”, a person from the Tribe of Levi who worked in the Temple taking care of the things of God, also crossed the road rather than help the wounded man. Both Priest and Levite wanted to avoid being made “unclean” by touching this unfortunate.

Then came the Samaritan, the hated Samaritan. He bound the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, and payed for his accommodations. Jesus asked,

Luke 10:36 (ESV) Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?

It was the Samaritan who showed mercy. He was the neighbor. Jesus commands that we “go and do likewise” (37).

4 Do not imitate or desire what evil people have. Desire God.

Proverbs 3:31-32 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the froward (lûz, the perverse) is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

The “SECRET” of God is His personal presence and favor. Evil people may have riches and fame for a time, but they do not have what you have – a relationship with God each day of your life. I admire the Old Testament Saint Enoch. Enoch was born of Jared, and Jared lived 962 years. But Enoch lived 65 years before he had his first son Methuselah. He walked with God another 300 years, outliving all of his children and family but Methuselah. The Bible says:

Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

5 In time, God will bless His Children, but curse the wicked. Be patient. We end with these words:

Proverbs 3:33-35 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.

Our God “giveth grace unto the lowly”. To those who are arrogant and perverse, God gives them their head. But a payday is coming someday. But God gives Grace to those who are humble. The Bible says:

James 4:6 (ESV) … {God} gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Young and immature believers tend toward arrogance, but God tells us to “clothe ourselves with humility” (1 Peter 5:5). We are to hear and do His Word. This is the only way to blessing. May God move on our hearts this very day. Amen.