The Proverbial Journey 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.
If we are all created by God, we have the same origin, then what separates us? Not wealth or the lack of it. It is having a good name according to verse 1. However, if all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, then none of us have a good name. How do we get a good name. We need a new one! Bringing this principle into the new covenant, we need a new name and that comes from being adopted as a child of God.
1 John 3:1 “What great love the Father has lavished on us that we would be called the children of God and that is what we are.”
This is the greatest thing, the most desirable, in all of eternity, that God would become a man, live a perfect life, die in our place, rise again, and by grace through faith adopt us as His own!
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The second thing in Chapter 22 I wanted to pull out today was this list in Vs. 17-29.
17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you.
Pay attention and listen to wisdom. Apply it. “So that your trust may be in the Lord.” Taking God’s truth, listening, applying it builds our trust in God. His word is a powerful thing!
Look at this list of good principles and behavior that really mirrors what is taught in Micah 6:8 and in the New Testament. Love God with ALL and love your neighbor as yourself.
22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,
23 for the LORD will take up their case
and will plunder those who plunder them.
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn his ways
and get yourself ensnared.
26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.
Remember, everyday in every moment are the opportunities for us to walk this thing out. We have the opportunity in every circumstance to reflect the truths of God in how we respond and act.
What are your thoughts?
From → Proverbs
