2019 Jan 08 Proverbs 8, Psalms
2019 Jan 08 Proverbs 8, Psalms
Hello, and warm greetings! Let's pick up in Proverbs 8, as wisdom is described, personified in Jesus Christ. Let's consider verses 17-21.
"17 I love those loving me, And those seeking me will find me. 18 Riches and glory are with me, Lasting wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruitage is better than gold, even refined gold, And what I produce is better than the finest silver. 20 I walk in the path of righteousness, In the middle of the pathways of justice; 21 I give a rich inheritance to those who love me, And I fill up their storehouses."
Prove 8:17 True wisdom rewards those who love and live by it, and God ensures those seeking and praying in faith for true wisdom will find it. (James 1:5,6). Jesus also loves those who love him, and knows he's "the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Therefore, he is happy to assist those seeking to know him. (John 17:3)
Prove 8:18,19 Spiritual Riches may include a close relationship with God, fine Christian qualities, an understanding of true righteousness and peaceable relationships with others. What a blessing also would be children who also gain such wisdom and "continue loving" God (James 1:12). Glory would not be equal to what God deserves as worship, but rather a good reputation before other God-fearing humans. True wisdom involves successful application of divine knowledge, and may include skills that may bring literal riches as well, but "lasting wealth" would primarily involve the spiritual riches bringing the reward of eternal life.
Prove 8:20,21 Those having true wisdom love God's righteousness, living by His orders and standards. Such ones realize that living God's way brings true happiness--they rejoice to have God's direction and guidance in life. Psalm 19:8 says "The orders of Jehovah are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice..." Such ones gain protective qualities such as Christian mildness and self-control, saying "NO" to any idea to venture near the fence of God's law, choosing happily to remain "in the middle of the pathways of justice."
Psalm 80 (Book 3, 8th psalm) is an appeal to Jehovah not to abandon His people. There were times in history when God's people appeared to be abandoned. And God's favor in true worship did shift from the literal children of Abraham, after abandoning God's Son, to the spiritual children of Abraham, having the faith of Abraham and pursuing true worship after the example of Jesus. (Galat 6:16; Roman 4:16). Down through the centuries, true wheatlike Christians may have been crowded out by false imitation weeds, in harmony with Jesus illustration of the wheat and the weeds (Matth 13:24-30, 36-43; 1John 2:15-17). Yet God would never completely abandon His servants, as the psalmist pleads: "14 O God of armies, please return. Look down from heaven and see! Take care of this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand has planted, and look upon the son whom you made strong for yourself." May God's blessing be upon restoration of true worship at this time, as the inspired psalm concludes: "17 May your hand give support to the man at your right hand, To the son of man you have made strong for yourself. 18 Then we will not turn away from you. Preserve us alive, so that we may call on your name. 19 O Jehovah God of armies, restore us; Let your face shine upon us, so that we may be saved."






