3:2 long life. While it is true that many godly people die young, it is wonderfully true that eternal life is theirs in heaven and the new earth. Furthermore, it is at least statistically true that a life lived in obedience to the Word of God leads to a healthier and longer physical life for each individual than it would be otherwise.

3:6 shall direct thy paths. This precious promise of divine guidance in one’s life choices is conditioned upon complete trust in God’s wisdom as revealed in His Word, along with unashamed acknowledgment of Him in all our dealings with others.

3:9 firstfruits of all thine increase. The Lord expects and deserves the best and first that we have—not the leftovers, whether of money or time or talent or anything else.

3:10 new wine. Since this is “new wine,” fresh from the winepresses—that is, healthful grape juice, still unfermented—there is no conflict with Proverbs 23:29-35, which severely warns against intoxicating wine.

3:11 chastening. “Chastening” is the same word as “instruction.” Thus, God’s chastening is always for purposes of instruction, and should not be ignored or resented. Proverbs 3:11-12 is quoted in this context in Hebrews 12:5-6. Note also II Timothy 3:16, as well as Job 5:17; Psalm 94:12; Revelation 3:19.

3:18 tree of life. The “tree of life” in Eden (Genesis 2:9; 3:24) is used four times in Proverbs (3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4) as a symbol of some spiritual blessing. The first and definitive figure calls it the divine Wisdom—which in the final analysis, is none other than the Creator Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ.

3:19 founded the earth. Since Christ was the one by whom God founded the earth (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16), this verse makes it clear that in Proverbs “Wisdom” is actually personified and identified with Christ.

3:20 depths. The word “depths” is the same as “deep.” Following the Creation, the next great physical event in earth history was the Flood, at which time “all the fountains of the great deep [were] broken up” (Genesis 7:11).