Proverbs 3:1-4 “Faithfulness to the Father’s Teaching”

(1) My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; (2) for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.

(3) Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, (4) and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.

Chapter 3 begins with the 3^rd appeal by the father to his son, which covers verses 1-12. This appeal includes six sets of instructions. The first two sets (v. 1-4) is an exhortation to remain faithful to the father’s teaching. The last four sets (v. 5-12) is an exhortation to remain faithful to the Lord.

In the first of instructions (v. 1-2), the father urges his son not only to remember his teaching, but to put into practice the wisdom that has been taught. By living according to wise principles, the son will reap three benefits.

1. Length of days – This phrase speaks of a life lived in and satisfied only in the Lord (Deuteronomy 30:20). This life is given to those who walk in obedience (Psalm 91:16; Proverbs 3:2) and wisdom (Proverbs 3:16).
2. Long life – This includes both a life with many years and a life worth living.
3. Peace – Even though your life will be long, it will not be burdensome. You will have inward tranquility. Indeed, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind.

In the second set of instructions, the wise father appeals to his son not to forsake mercy and truth. Mercy and truth are to be applied externally (“bind them around your neck”) and internally (“write them on the tablet of your heart”).

The external application of mercy is performing good and charitable acts to others. The internal application is development the Godly character of mercy, of lovingkindness. This is given to those who keep His covenants and His testimonies. (Psalm 25:10)

The external application of truth is faithfulness, obedience to God by walking in His commands. The internal application is the rejection of all falsehood and hypocrisy of character.

As mercy and truth increase in your life, you will reap benefits in your relationship with both God and man. A wise man desires and seeks the favor of God and also wishes to have the favor man. These were characteristic of our Lord (Luke 2:52).

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Related Scriptures: Mat. 23:23; 1 Peter 3:3-4

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“Being all fashioned of the self-same dust, let us be merciful as well as just.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow