Today I’d like to begin a chapter study of Proverbs 3. When reading this chapter determine a title, a key verse, a statement that captures the theme, some cross references to enhance understanding, any questions that arise, an outline, and finally some applications to be made in your life.
A phrase found in the first verse, “Do Not Forget!” could be the title. I chose verses 5 & 6 as the key verse. To put the message of Proverbs 3 into a sentence I just used the key verses: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight,” or as the King James version puts it, “he will direct your path.”
As a cross reference I thought of the experience of King Hezekiah who received a threatening letter from the king of Assyria. He took the letter to the temple, spread it out before the Lord and rather than trying to do something in his own strength he prayed: “Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”
God responded, in essence saying in Isaiah 37:21-35, “I’ll take care of it.” And He did, sending an angel to wipe out the Assyrian army. Hezekiah wholeheartedly trusted in God rather than his own understanding, and acknowledged God to handle the threat he was facing. God did take over and directed his path by telling him to stand still and watch God handle it.
