Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.
--Proverbs 8:18-19 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on September 28, 2013 of Proverbs 8:12-21; Hebrews 7; Isaiah 26-27.
In chapter eight of Proverbs, Solomon personifies wisdom and gives it a feminine voice. "To you, O men, I call," she cries out, "and my voice is to the sons of men." (Please see verse 4.) Wisdom is depicted as standing beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances of doorways. Anywhere that people might pass she makes herself visible and accessible so that her voice might be heard and her advice heeded. She offers only truth and righteousness, no wickedness nor crooked or perverted word will pass through her lips. All the utterances of her mouth are straightforward to them who will understand and right to those who seek knowledge.
Solomon then tries to express the value of wisdom's counsel in terms his readers, including us, may more easily understand. Wisdom is better than precious gems, he says, and not even comparable to anything man might desire. Kings and nobility avail themselves of wisdom's instruction when ruling and dispensing justice, if they are indeed wise. Today's focus verses perhaps more clearly disclose wisdom's worth to us. Great riches and honor come from following wisdom's voice. But not riches of this world, that can tarnish and deteriorate and that we cannot carry with us into the next life. And not necessarily or only honor from men, that will be forgotten not long after we're gone. No, the riches and honor wisdom brings is not of a material or worldly nature, but is more ethereal and everlasting. Wisdom offers enduring riches in our rewards in heaven, the ultimate honor of righteousness in the eyes of God. Better than the choicest silver, worth far more than the finest gold are words of wisdom, fruits hanging right there for us to take.
When we read and digest these words of Solomon, the wise teacher, we may begin to see that the Holy Spirit living within us is the voice of wisdom. He can always be found standing at the gate to our soul, the doorway to our heart, ever speaking to us that we might hear and heed His counsel. This is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us: to guide us, to advise us, to speak words of His wisdom to us. And our rewards for obeying His voice and believing in and following Jesus are far greater and more desirable than any earthly treasure. Through Him we can receive riches and righteousness that will endure forever. Amen.
Father in heaven, Your Son Jesus sent Your Holy Spirit to live within those who believe in Him, to be our Guide and Counselor. In Him You speak Your divine wisdom directly into our hearts. Forgive us, please Father, when we fail to follow His advise, when we ignore Him, when we refuse to hear His voice. Please never take Your Spirit from us. In the beautiful name of Jesus our Savior we pray. Amen.
Solomon then tries to express the value of wisdom's counsel in terms his readers, including us, may more easily understand. Wisdom is better than precious gems, he says, and not even comparable to anything man might desire. Kings and nobility avail themselves of wisdom's instruction when ruling and dispensing justice, if they are indeed wise. Today's focus verses perhaps more clearly disclose wisdom's worth to us. Great riches and honor come from following wisdom's voice. But not riches of this world, that can tarnish and deteriorate and that we cannot carry with us into the next life. And not necessarily or only honor from men, that will be forgotten not long after we're gone. No, the riches and honor wisdom brings is not of a material or worldly nature, but is more ethereal and everlasting. Wisdom offers enduring riches in our rewards in heaven, the ultimate honor of righteousness in the eyes of God. Better than the choicest silver, worth far more than the finest gold are words of wisdom, fruits hanging right there for us to take.
When we read and digest these words of Solomon, the wise teacher, we may begin to see that the Holy Spirit living within us is the voice of wisdom. He can always be found standing at the gate to our soul, the doorway to our heart, ever speaking to us that we might hear and heed His counsel. This is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us: to guide us, to advise us, to speak words of His wisdom to us. And our rewards for obeying His voice and believing in and following Jesus are far greater and more desirable than any earthly treasure. Through Him we can receive riches and righteousness that will endure forever. Amen.
Father in heaven, Your Son Jesus sent Your Holy Spirit to live within those who believe in Him, to be our Guide and Counselor. In Him You speak Your divine wisdom directly into our hearts. Forgive us, please Father, when we fail to follow His advise, when we ignore Him, when we refuse to hear His voice. Please never take Your Spirit from us. In the beautiful name of Jesus our Savior we pray. Amen.
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