4. Fourth admonitory discourse. The third chapter introduces us to a group of admonitions, and the first of these (Proverbs 3:1-18) forms the fourth admonitory discourse of the teacher. To all intents and purposes this is a continuation of the discourse in the preceding chapter, for inasmuch as that described the benefits, spiritual and moral, which follow from the pursuit of Wisdom, in promoting godliness and providing safety from evil companions, so this in like manner depicts the gain flowing from Wisdom, the happiness of the man who finds Wisdom, and the favour which he meets with both with God and man.
The discourse embraces exhortations to obedience (Proverbs 3:1-4), to reliance on God (Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6) against self-sufficiency and self-dependence (Proverbs 3:7, Proverbs 3:8), to self-sacrificing devotion to God (Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:10), to patient submission to God's afflictive dispensations (Proverbs 3:11, Proverbs 3:12), and concludes with pointing out the happy gain of Wisdom, her incomparable value, and wherein that value consists (Proverbs 3:13-18).
It is noticeable that in each case the exhortation is accompanied with a corresponding promise of reward (Proverbs 3:2, Proverbs 3:4, Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 3:8, Proverbs 3:10), and these promises are brought forward with the view to encourage the observance of the duties recommended or enjoined.
Jehovah is the central point to which all the exhortations converge. Obedience, trust, self-sacrificing devotion, submission, are successively brought forward by the teacher as due to God, and the persons in whom they are exhibited are truly happy in finding Wisdom.
The transition in thought from the former to the latter part of the discourse is easy and natural. Obedience and trust are represented as bringing favour, guidance, and health—in a word, prosperity. But God is not only to be honoured in times of prosperity, but also in adversity his loving hand is to be recognized; and in this submission to his will is true wisdom.