What is the meaning of Proverbs 3:35? The wise • Scripture consistently links wisdom with reverent obedience to the LORD (Proverbs 1:7; James 3:17). • In Proverbs, “wise” describes people who listen, learn, and put God’s teachings into practice (Matthew 7:24), rather than merely collecting information. • Wisdom is therefore moral and relational; it springs from knowing God and submitting to His Word. Will inherit • “Inherit” points to a gift, not a wage. Honor is received, not self-manufactured—just as Lady Wisdom promises, “bestowing wealth on those who love me” (Proverbs 8:21). • The verb carries covenant overtones: God delights to give lasting blessings to His children, paralleling Jesus’ promise that the meek “will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). • Receiving honor flows from patiently trusting God’s timing rather than grasping for status. Honor • Honor is public esteem rooted in God’s approval (1 Samuel 2:30). • It includes: – A good name before others (Proverbs 22:1). – Eternal reward—“glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good” (Romans 2:10). • The wise gain a reputation that outlives them because it reflects God’s own character. But fools • “Fool” in Proverbs is never about IQ; it is a moral term describing the one who dismisses God (Psalm 14:1). • Marks of a fool include: – Ignoring correction (Proverbs 1:32). – Speaking recklessly (Ecclesiastes 10:1). – Trusting self instead of the LORD. • Fools choose a path that cannot end well because it is detached from truth. Are held up • The phrase pictures being lifted or displayed—yet not for admiration. • While the wise are remembered for good (Proverbs 12:8), fools are “held up” as cautionary tales; their lives become object lessons of what to avoid (Proverbs 18:3). • God’s providence ensures that even folly serves His purposes, exposing sin so others may learn. To shame • Shame is the opposite of honor: disgrace, loss of face, ultimate disappointment. • Temporal shame: broken relationships, ruined reputations (Proverbs 13:18). • Eternal shame: separation from God—“some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2; Philippians 3:19). • The verse warns that rejecting wisdom never ends in neutral ground; it ends in shame. Summary Proverbs 3:35 draws a sharp contrast. Those who fear the LORD and live by His wisdom will one day receive visible, lasting honor—an inheritance God Himself delights to give. Those who persist in self-directed folly will not only miss that honor but will ultimately be showcased as examples of shame. The proverb beckons every reader: choose wisdom, cling to God’s Word, and look forward to the honor He promises. |
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