Proverbs-Chap-3-v-3-7
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Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected like it once was pre
the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the
following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD
TO THE WORD which I command
you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT,
that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy
4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
Introduction:
The JPS 1917 version of Proverbs, Chapter 3, verses 3 to 7 emphasizes aligning our human intellect with Divine wisdom through ‘humility’, ‘loyalty’, and ‘moral integrity’ as we continue to learn our blessed Scriptures!
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Let us read
Proverbs chapter 3, Verses 3 to 7: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh). This
time I will have the English first, followed by the Ivrit-Hebrew.
3. “Let not kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them
about thy neck, write them upon the table of thy heart;
חֶסֶד
וֶאֱמֶת,
אַל-יַעַזְבֻךָ
קָשְׁרֵם
עַל-גַּרְגְּרוֹתֶיךָ;
כָּתְבֵם,
עַל-לוּחַ
לִבֶּךָ
4. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in
the sight of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim and man.
וּמְצָא-חֵן וְשֵׂכֶל-טוֹב- בְּעֵינֵי אֱלֹהִים וְאָדָם
5. Trust in יְהוָה - the LORD with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own
understanding.
בְּטַח אֶל-יְהוָה, בְּכָל-לִבֶּךָ; וְאֶל-בִּינָתְךָ, אַל-תִּשָּׁעֵן
6. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy
paths..
בְּכָל-דְּרָכֶיךָ דָעֵהוּ; וְהוּא, יְיַשֵּׁר אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ
7. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear יְהוָה - the LORD, and depart from evil”.
אַל-תְּהִי חָכָם בְּעֵינֶיךָ; יְרָא אֶת-יְהוָה, וְסוּר מֵרָע
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Let us now
look at the Verse-by-Verse Commentary:
Verses 3-4: The Jewellery of the Soul.
Kindness and Truth (Chesed and Emet): These are core attributes of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. They must become our permanent character traits.
The Neck and the Heart: Binding them to your neck means displaying them openly to the world. Writing them upon your heart means absorbing them into your innermost thoughts.
Dual Favour: True righteousness creates ‘harmony’. It brings favour both vertically with the ‘Almighty’ and ‘horizontally’ with our fellow human beings.
Verses 5-6: The Absolute Surrender of Intellect.
Trust with All Thy Heart: This demands total reliance on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. You must trust Him even when life brings circumstances that confuse the human mind.
Lean Not on Thine Own Understanding: Human logic is limited and fragile. Relying solely on your own intellect is like leaning on a broken staff.
Acknowledge Him in
Directing Your Paths: When you submit your will to Him, He clears away the obstacles. He makes your life’s path straight.
Verse 7: The Antidote to Arrogance.
Not Wise in Thine Own Eyes: This is a direct warning against ‘intellectual pride’. Intellectual pride is the greatest barrier to receiving Divine wisdom.
Fear יְהוָה - the LORD and Depart from Evil: True ‘wisdom is moral’, not just ‘intellectual’. Shunning evil is
the natural result of holding a ‘deep reverence for יְהוָה
- the LORD, בָּרוּךְ
שֵׁם’ - “Baruch
Shem” - “Blessed be His Name”.
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A Closing Message: The Straight Path of the Heart.
As we conclude our reflection on these
pivotal verses, King Solomon leaves us with a profound spiritual paradox: ‘true
wisdom begins exactly where human intellectual pride ends’. By binding ‘Chesed’ (kindness) and ‘Emet’ (truth) to our essence, we build a bridge
between the Divine and the earthly. Yet, the ultimate test of this wisdom lies
in our willingness to surrender our own limited understanding, trusting
completely in the infinite vision of the Almighty. When we intentionally
acknowledge Him not just in moments of comfort, but in every step and struggle
of our journey, our winding roads are made straight. May we merit the humility
to see past our own eyes, the strength to depart from evil, and the privilege
of walking daily in the light of His direction!
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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a
number of our prophets...
“The More Torah,
the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
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