WISDOM FROM GOD – “BIND THEM ABOUT THY NECK”

There are a whole lot of things that are important in our lives. However, there are some things, which are absolutely essential, and we cannot do anything without them. They are cardinal principles, which form the very foundational core of who we are to be. Two such absolutely essential things for a Christian are mentioned in Proverbs 3:3-4. Verse three talks about the the virtues or traits. Let us read…
– “3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” – Proverbs 3:3-4

For our meditation this morning, let us look at verse three. Herein is mentioned the virtues and traits which are cardinal principles of Christian walk.
– “3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” – Proverbs 3:3

The above verse has two parts to it. One talks about “MERCY” and “TRUTH” and the other part talks about “WHAT” to do with those two virtues. The second part of what is being conveyed to us, tells us about how significant and essential are the two virtues mentioned in the first part.
– “Kindness [Mercy] and truth are foundational virtues in a believer’s life. They reflect God’s character and should be evident in [all] our interactions with others.” – Berean Study Bible Notes

1- LET NOT MERCY AND TRUTH FORSAKE THEE
MERCY and TRUTH are the very character of God. These traits or virtues are like the two sides of a coin. Both are always together, because one doesn’t exist without the other – there is no meaning nor purpose, when MERCY exists without the TRUTH; and vice versa. Hence the Christian is called not to forsake them…lose them…throw them away as unimportant and insignificant.
– “14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.” – Psalms 89:14

2- BIND THEM ABOUT THY NECK
We are called to bind MERCY and TRUTH about our neck. Neck is a prominent place for wearing any jewellery. MERCY and TRUTH are more precious and priceless than the most expensive ornaments ever. Hence they are to be worn about our necks – for all to see.
– “6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6

3- WRITE THEM UPON THE TABLE OF THINE HEART
The LORD speaking through Solomon, makes a double emphasis about the significance of MERCY and TRUTH which He wants in all His children, just like He Himself is MERCIFUL and TRUTHFUL. Therefore, we are called to write them upon the table of our hearts. It simply means, write them in such a way that we will remember them always, and will never ever forget them.
– “6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-9

The seriousness and the essential nature of these two godly traits are terribly undervalued, to say the least. They are violated with absolute impunity by those very people who claim to follow Christ the LORD, down through the centuries. Not practicing them, as we are commanded by the LORD, has a telling effect on the convenantal relationship with YAHWEH, the LORD God Almighty Himself. It is this serious, but sadly, we don’t seem to care much about these godly traits. Contrarily, they are portrayed as weakness and therefore, worthless. 
– “In the biblical narrative, the concepts of mercy and truth are frequently intertwined, reflecting the character of God and His expectations for human conduct. These attributes are foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people, and they are essential for understanding the moral and ethical teachings of the Bible.” – Bible Hub Notes

A cursory glance at how much of these virtues have been practiced in church history since Rome took over the reins of Christianity, and turned it into a religion of customs and traditions, prepared, preached and practiced by the “church” – just like the Pharisees and the religious heads of Jesus’ time. The genocidal conflict going on in Gaza, and elsewhere in the Middle East is a painfully honest illustration of how one can violate the biblical practice of “MERCY” and “TRUTH” and yet be calling ourselves people belonging to God.
– “The ministry of Jesus is marked by acts of mercy, such as healing the sick and forgiving sinners, while simultaneously upholding the truth of God’s Word. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting the “weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” This admonition highlights the necessity of balancing mercy with truth in the practice of faith.” – Bible Hub Notes

How about us this morning dear brothers and sisters? What place does God’s MERCY and TRUTH have in our lives? How much of an influence do them exercise upon us and all our decisions? Are we MERCIFUL and TRUTHFUL in our thoughts, words and deeds? Let us never ever forget that, MERCY and TRUTH are God’s character. He expects us to not only believe in them, but actually practice them so that they are displayed like jewellery about our necks. Whether we are following MERCY and TRUTH or not is visible as clear as day, to everyone around us. Our words and deeds speak loudly for all to hear and see who we actually are. Therefore, LET US NOT FORSAKE MERCY and TRUTH, but BIND THEM ABOUT OUR NECK* and WRITE THEM UPON THE TABLE OF OUR HEARTS. Even so, the LORD help us.