Blogging Through Proverbs Part XII - 3:3-4

Studying: Ephesians 3-6, Proverbs 2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-18

Thoughts: Good

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.." - Proverbs 3:3-4, NASB

By way of reminder, Solomon is pointing out some of the rewards and benefits of living wisely. To harken back to something I mentioned a while ago, I still can't help but think of God's mercy in telling us the "whys" here.  Truth be told, God could have simply put here "Do not let...Bind them...Write them..." and we'd be under every obligation to obey.  But God "knows our frame." He is merciful and explains to us "why" something is best for us, and therefore he adds the "so..."

There are two ideas focused on here, kindness and truth.  When I did a little research (thanks to good old Bibleworks) the word translated here "kindness" comes from the Hebrew word chesid, which is used to describe the unfailing covenant love of Yahweh.  "Truth" is just that, it is what is true, firm, right and fixed.  The exhortation given here by Solomon to his son is that he should not let these things "leave" him.  As I've pondered this verse I'm left with two possible understandings of it here.

1. Possessive - Solomon is exhorting his son to possess the qualities in his own life of kindness and truth and to take care that remain in him as he interacts with others.  "Be one who is filled with unfailing love and justice" he might say.

2. Objective - Solomon is exhorting his son not to walk in such a way that would cause the lovingkindness and truth of Yahweh to depart from him.  

But, truth be told, I don't believe these are at odds with one another.  One who truly knows the love and truth of the Lord thus reflects it in his life.  

Now Solomon's warning is clear, that these qualities are not to "leave."  It may seem like a strange idea at first, but if you think about it it becomes quite clear.  If one does not take care to guard that which he already has, he might very well lose it.

The old saying "use it or lose it" definitely has some truth to it.  We are forgetful people.  I've met a number of people who have told me that at one point in time they could speak a second language, but no longer can because they've "lost it."  How many of us at the years roll by can do all the things we once did before?

Solomon's exhortation here is not timid.  He doesn't tell his son to just "put your kindness and truth in the attic with the rest of the Christmas decorations."  He tells him to put them in two very prominent and forward places, around the neck and on the heart.