599 - The Beginning of Wisdom#
(JP Text Group - shalom 整理)
Peace, dear family, welcome to your arrival. Today is Sunday, and we will look at God's words together.
The topic of sharing is: The Beginning of Wisdom
Proverbs Chapter 9: Verses 7-12:
7 He who rebukes a scoffer gets shame for himself; and he who reproves a wicked man gets himself a blot. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to you. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
Let us first pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you. Thank you for giving us the beginning of a new week. Through this time, let us return to the truth once again. Through the revelation of your words, let us gain faith and wisdom, experience your presence and power in our lives, and bring edification, gain, and glory to you. Help us to receive provision during this time, and personally renew our thoughts and intentions through the Holy Spirit. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen.
In life, some people clearly do good deeds but are ridiculed for no reason; they help others with good intentions, yet others misunderstand and distort their intentions, attacking and mocking them. Gradually, some people become unwilling to help others, and their love grows colder. In fact, it is good to show love, but we cannot show love to everyone; we must discern who is worthy of it, as some people do not deserve it and do not need our concern. This requires wisdom. We need to give love to those who truly need it, which is the wisdom that comes from God. The text we are discussing today will bring some help to everyone.
7 He who rebukes a scoffer gets shame for himself; and he who reproves a wicked man gets himself a blot. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
What is a scoffer? The original text refers to a proud and arrogant person. Why does a person become proud? They live in self-centeredness, using themselves as the standard to judge all people and all things. When someone thinks differently from them, they instinctively believe that others are wrong. When you see an arrogant person about to go astray or suffer loss, you may kindly express your opinion to try to stop them from suffering. But because they judge everything from a self-centered perspective, they have already determined that what they do is correct and that they possess unique abilities that others cannot see. The more you point out their problems, the angrier they become.
Because the thoughts of a scoffer are different from yours, they do not recognize your statements and instead believe you are jealous of their talents, trying to prevent them from receiving blessings, and will certainly insult you. So, family, when advising others, first ensure that they are willing to listen to your opinion. In fact, many times when others tell you their matters, they do not necessarily expect to receive answers from you. Some people tell you out of a desire to show off, wanting you to know how correct their decisions are; others merely want to vent and do not wish for you to offer any suggestions, as they already know the answers.
If you point out their problems in such situations, saying, "You should do this, you should do that," they will indeed become very angry. If you say too much, you will end up arguing. You get angry, feeling that this person is self-centered and cannot accept others' insights. They become angrier, thinking you are unreasonable, "How can you change me when my decisions are so correct?" They do not see you as helping them but rather as pointing out their flaws. Therefore, family, do not criticize a scoffer; do not point out their problems because they cannot accept it.
Next, it mentions reproving a wicked person. What kind of person is a wicked person? The original text refers to an evil person, one who opposes God. The thoughts of a wicked person are certainly different from those of a righteous person. A person who opposes God has thoughts that are contrary to God. You hope they can give, but they want to take from others; these are two completely different ideas. When you reprove a wicked person, directly pointing out that their current actions are wrong and that they are dangerous, they will certainly think of various ways to retaliate against you.
Everyone must be sure to give good things to those who truly need them. Do these wicked people not know what they are doing? Of course, they do. Just like those who wrong you know better than you that you are wronged. If you are facing such a person and reproach them for being unkind, how could they possibly listen? Because they already know what they are doing; the more you say, the more they will become angry and retaliate against you.
In the eyes of the wise, what they do is foolish and ignorant, repeatedly failing. Their foolishness is not due to a lack of facts or rational analysis; they analyze things too, but their thoughts are inherently different from others, so after analyzing, they still believe their decisions are incredibly correct. They are blindly intoxicated by their sense of superiority and unwilling to admit their foolishness. Pointing out their problems only makes them appear more useless. Remember, such people care more about face and dignity because they have nothing else to boast about. Therefore, do not criticize them; they will retaliate against you.
Matthew 7:6 says: "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."
Holy things, if given to dogs, they do not recognize their value; nor should you cast pearls before swine for the same reason, as they do not understand their worth. For a pig, you can just give it food; if you give it food it likes, it will be grateful. But if you throw pearls in front of it, it will trample the pearls and turn to bite you because it does not need them. In this regard, we must have wisdom. Showing love must be discerning; not everyone deserves such love. The gospel is good, but not everyone thinks it is good. If they do not have a receptive heart at the moment, do not force it upon them. Amen.
Therefore, he who rebukes a scoffer will be insulted. If you kindly help others and they insult you, do not be angry; just recognize that what you said is correct and truly well-intentioned, but they do not appreciate it. In the future, do not say it again. Do not argue with them or dispute right and wrong because no amount of facts can convince them. It is harder to make them believe they will suffer losses or be deceived than to deceive them because it requires a change in thinking. Only when they go astray and fail miserably might they seek you out, and your advice may then be more effective.
They can forgive others' mistakes but cannot tolerate others' correctness, especially when others' correctness proves their foolishness. They will not appreciate you but will feel their dignity has been trampled. Reproving a wicked person will lead to defilement; they cannot tolerate criticism from others.
What should we do? Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Even if you are well-intentioned, the result will still be ridicule and insults, so family, do not let love overflow.
When Jesus preached on earth, there were always scribes and Pharisees looking for faults in Him. If Jesus sat down to argue with them and pointed out their problems, would they sincerely correct themselves? No, because their purpose for coming was to prove Jesus wrong. This preconceived notion has already formed; they like to judge others by themselves, so in such cases, just ignore them.
Thus, Jesus' approach was to preach the gospel to those in need, while temporarily setting aside those who do not need it. Because we cannot save everyone, you cannot please everyone, so love should only be given to those in need. Doing so will yield results, and faith will grow stronger. If you always seek those who do not want it and force it upon them, gradually, you will also become unwilling to do the Lord's work because you will find it too difficult. Why does this result occur?
Verse 9: Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
What is the characteristic of a wise person? They have a listening heart. Since they have a listening heart, when others express different views, they will first accept and listen, reflecting on it afterward. If they ultimately believe what others say is beneficial to them, they will correct and renew themselves. This is a wise person.
To teach such a person, he will become wiser because they know that those who truly care for them will encourage them in this way. Once they experience these things and find that what you said is indeed correct, they will be grateful from the heart. Therefore, if you truly want to reprove someone, if you find that this person is about to go down the wrong path or suffer losses, and they are a wise person, your reproof will be heard, and they will turn back immediately; ultimately, they will love you.
Because they know what you say is beneficial to them, they will be grateful from the heart because you have saved them from many losses. Therefore, if a person understands their limitations, they will listen to others' advice, and their wisdom will increase. How can a person know their limitations? It begins with the fear of the Lord. If a person does not have a heart of reverence for God, they will not truly know themselves.
For example, in Genesis, it mentions Abel and Cain. Of course, both of them were in a fallen world. Since Adam sinned, all of Adam's descendants have sin in their hearts. The characteristic of a sinner is self-centeredness. This problem exists in everyone; only some people, because they fear God, choose to live according to God's ways, and their wisdom increases.
However, some people, even when problems arise, do not look for the issue within themselves, always thinking it is someone else's fault. Both Abel and Cain offered sacrifices to God; God was pleased with Abel and his offering, but did not look favorably upon Cain and his offering, resulting in Cain becoming very angry. His anger was solely because God was not pleased with his offering.
From a human perspective, if God was not pleased with his offering, couldn't he just change it? That is not how Cain thinks. What is Cain's thought? Because of Abel's existence, God does not like his offering. His thought is, "If I kill Abel, God will be pleased with my offering."
We might think such a thought is extreme, but in reality, many people like Cain exist. They fail and blame others, blaming the environment or others' treatment of them, never searching for these problems within themselves. Even if Cain killed Abel, would God be pleased with his offering? No, because it is not God's problem; it is Cain who needs to change.
Therefore, we fear the Lord, and that is the beginning of wisdom. We take God as the standard, not ourselves. If a person uses themselves as the standard, they expect others to change rather than themselves; if we take God as the standard, we will continuously correct ourselves to align with God's words. This is true reverence for God, and we will increasingly know ourselves.
As we continually know God, we are also continually knowing ourselves, because the original form of a person is not what we see now. Initially, the person created by God bore the image and likeness of God, but because Adam fell, people drifted away from God and became what they are now. What is this current form? It lacks wisdom, often unable to see the path ahead, falling into traps, attacking and condemning one another, etc. However, these are not the true solutions. Even if we extinguish others' lights, we remain in darkness. So what should we do? Start by knowing God.
Romans 1:19-22:
19 Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. 21 Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools.
This passage explains to us why those who do not fear God lack wisdom. What may be known of God is manifest in them. God continuously reveals Himself to people to help us know Him more clearly so that He can pour His blessings upon us.
Since the creation of the world, God has been revealing Himself to the world. Even though people's eyes cannot see God, when you see this world, you can think of the existence of God; there must be a manager of the world. Later, people know that there is a God in this world and must know in their hearts that there is a God, but they do not glorify Him as God, nor do they thank Him. People think everything is natural and should be expected. When people breathe free air, enjoy sunlight, rain, and all the grace given by God, they do not thank the Creator.
Gradually, their thoughts become futile, and their foolish hearts are darkened. In other words, the farther a person is from God, the more foolish they become; the farther they are from God, the more ignorant they become, ultimately professing to be wise. Only those who do not know God would shamelessly claim how wise they are; in reality, that becomes foolishness.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21:
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe; this is God's wisdom.
Let us see what God's wisdom is: the message of the cross. So family, if you want to receive wisdom from God, the cross is an unavoidable truth. Because the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. The cross is a dividing line; unbelievers think the cross is meaningless because they believe Jesus died; but for us who are saved, we know Jesus died, but He rose from the dead three days later, which becomes the power of God. And because of the redemption of the cross, we also become children of God.
Since we have become children of God, all wisdom must start from the cross. Therefore, family, if you want to gain wisdom from God, you must think more about the cross of Jesus Christ, for that is the source of our wisdom. God says: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." The wise of this world will never use the message of the cross because the message of the cross is exactly opposite to the thoughts of the world. Jesus on the cross is "I die, you live," but the thoughts of the world are "You die, I live."
The world wants to gain wealth by taking others' wealth to enrich themselves, regardless of others' lives or their poverty; while Jesus willingly gives all of Himself to enrich others. This is the message of the cross; it precisely destroys the wisdom of the wise and nullifies the understanding of the prudent, meaning that the wise and so-called wise do not use Jesus' methods.
Have you ever thought about it? Many people have already believed in Jesus, yet they still do not use the message of the cross because many of their thoughts are still of this world. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, although they had come out of Egypt, their thoughts did not align with God's ways of living.
We cannot be like that. This is why we encourage everyone to read the Bible more and meditate on the cross of Jesus. Because true wisdom is found here. If you live according to Jesus' ways, what seems unsolvable will actually be the way out with Jesus. For example, a person with leprosy is considered clean in God's eyes. Why is that? Because when a person is fully covered in leprosy, they no longer rely on themselves and completely abandon their own thoughts; when God acts, they can be cleansed. If a person still has their own methods, they generally will not fully rely on God.
Where are the wise of this world? Where are the scribes? Where are the disputers of this age? Compared to God's wisdom, they look down on God's wisdom. Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? That is worldly wisdom. Look at how people have done many things on this earth; they think they are very clever, but in reality, they have fallen into danger.
For example, people have invented various glues to replace original wood for making furniture, etc., only to find that these synthetic materials harm people's health. People have invented various chemical foods that taste better than the foods created by God, but they are not beneficial to people. These are all manifestations of worldly wisdom becoming foolishness. People, relying on their own wisdom, believe they can control this world and are unwilling to know God; this is a truth that has not changed for thousands of years. People who consider themselves wise are unwilling to rely on God.
How does God do things? God is pleased to use what people consider foolish to save those who believe. The methods that the world does not believe in, God uses those methods. For example, our God uses the death of Jesus to exchange for our lives. The world would never use this method; who would think that dying for someone would be the way to let them live? The world always thinks, "I must survive."
Thus, the message of the cross seems very foolish in the eyes of the world. This is why many people, after reading the Bible, say, "What is this? It is completely unrealistic and differs too much from our thoughts." But in reality, this is God's wisdom. The ways we consider clever often have many side effects; while Jesus' ways may seem doomed to die, in reality, they lead to eternal blessings. Therefore, today we must know that the wisdom of the righteous is inseparable from the cross of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:26-30:
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
This passage tells us that God's wisdom surpasses human wisdom. What kind of people are often easy to believe in Jesus? As we just read, not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. Often, these people are the easiest to believe in Jesus. The reason is that they know they are not clever enough, not powerful enough, and do not have noble status, so they will not rely on these things. Instead, when the grace of Jesus comes upon them, they are the most likely to accept it. This is a result we see.
There is a misconception that people always think that those who are sick, marginalized by society, or without hope need Jesus. In fact, all people need Jesus. The reason people have such thoughts is that this group of people is the most likely to accept Jesus. And indeed, this is true. When Jesus preached the gospel on earth, who were the first to accept Him? Those who were lame, blind, and unqualified to enter the temple to worship God followed Jesus to hear Him speak the truth. These people received healing, gained hope, and saw the grace that came from God. Those who thought they had status relied on themselves and overlooked Jesus in the temple. But that does not mean those people do not need Jesus; all people in the world need Jesus because only Jesus has life.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. God has also chosen the base things of the world, such as tax collectors, prostitutes, and those looked down upon, as well as those who have nothing, to bring to nothing the things that are.
It is not that God does not want to choose the wise; it is because the wisdom of the world first seeks to abandon God and is unwilling to use God's methods. So how does God do it? He chooses the foolish of the world, allowing what these people do to surpass those who are wise, making the wise ashamed so that they can turn and believe in this God.
For example, God chose Peter. When Peter preached, three thousand people repented, and five thousand people repented. The words he spoke were in many languages, causing a stir among the people. Those in the temple began to be astonished. They thought, "This is a group of uneducated commoners; how can they say such things? How can they do such things? It is truly remarkable." Only then would those who consider themselves wise feel ashamed because they could not do these things, and they would quiet down to think about Jesus as the Savior.
God also chose the weak of the world to put to shame the strong. This is a contrast. It is not that God does not delight in the strong; it is because the strong rely on their own strength. But the weak in the world cannot rely on themselves and have no one willing to help them, so they wholeheartedly depend on the wisdom of Jesus Christ. When they rely on God, they often live out a style that is more astonishing than that of the strong, making the strong feel ashamed before them.
Moreover, God also chose the base things of the world, such as tax collectors, prostitutes, and those looked down upon. These people appear base in the world, despised by others, and seem to have nothing. But God wants to use these people to change the world and to do God's work, thus bringing to nothing what is.
If someone is handsome, wealthy, and compassionate in their actions, if such a person believes in Jesus, no one would find it problematic. Even if they achieve great success, we would find it normal because they have the ability and authority, making it easier for them to accomplish things.
For example, a high-achieving student who graduated from a prestigious music academy and is a world-renowned figure writes a song. There is nothing remarkable about it; everyone thinks he is impressive, so writing a song is nothing. But if someone who has never learned basic music theory or attended a professional music school writes many songs inspired by God, we would think that is not his ability but God's great power. Through these people, God's wisdom can be manifested. God wants to use those who are nothing, those who have nothing, to give them wisdom and allow them to bring to nothing what the world has, so that people will no longer rely on themselves.
So that no flesh should glory in His presence. It is not that God wants to show that He is better than people; it is only when we see our weaknesses and limitations that we will rely on God. This is the part we need to change; usually, when we are confident about something, we generally do not seek others or call upon God. Unless we truly cannot accomplish something and feel powerless, we will wholeheartedly rely on God.
But you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. We are in Jesus Christ, not because we are clever enough or good enough; this is God's grace! God has given us wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption in Christ Jesus. So, dear family, you are wiser than the world. What should we do? In life, rely on the wisdom that God gives you and live according to God's words to manifest God's wisdom. Even if you believe in Jesus, if you still live according to the ways you once thought were correct, you will not manifest God's wisdom.
God's wisdom surpasses human wisdom. God uses those looked down upon in the world, allowing them to possess God's wisdom to fulfill God's great mission, which reveals God's great power and gives us hope. No matter what your current situation is or how difficult the problems you encounter are, as long as you seek God, He will be your wisdom, and you will become a truly wise person. As long as you continually know God, you will possess wisdom.
Verse 10 says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
To fear God means to place God first in your heart, believing that His words are correct and can help us at any time. People will be willing to take time to read God's words and listen to the truth. Why do so many people say, "I do not have time to listen to sermons, do not have time to gather, and do not have time to read the Bible"? Because they do not see it as the most important thing, so they naturally cannot arrange time for it.
But if you fear God from your heart, knowing that God is the beginning of wisdom and the source of all your blessings, you will certainly take time to know Him, to read His words, and you will gain understanding. Because knowing God is understanding. The world may encounter very difficult problems, but the solutions from God are often very simple. Our God begins with faith and ends with faith; as long as you believe in Him, He will give you rest, and those who rely on Him will not be ashamed.
When we encounter problems, how do we usually respond? Analyze, solve, and if that does not work, seek help, etc. If no one can help you, people often start to resign themselves to fate. But everyone should know that no matter how difficult the problems you encounter on this earth, if you go to Jesus, His solutions will not be too complicated or difficult.
Let us look at the disciples who sat in a boat with Jesus to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Suddenly, a great storm arose, and the disciples were terrified and did not know what to do, using all their strength to try to stop the disaster from coming. But when Jesus stood up and said, "Peace! Be still!" the problem was solved.
At that time, the Romans were collecting various harsh taxes. When Jesus and Peter entered a city, Jesus said to Peter, "Go to the river and fish; when you catch a fish, open its mouth, and you will find the coin for our tax; just give it to them." Jesus' methods of solving problems are very simple. Even many people with various diseases came to seek Jesus, listening to His preaching. After Jesus finished speaking, He healed them all with just one sentence. What was that sentence? You can meditate on it.
Perhaps Jesus said, "This sickness has left you," or perhaps He said, "You are healed." But no matter what Jesus said, that sentence would not be particularly long or complicated. As long as you believe, believing what Jesus said, you will receive it.
Yesterday, there was a testimony. A sister from Jiangsu had a daughter who felt unwell. After going to the hospital for a check-up, they found a tumor on her pancreas, already the size of an egg, with results coming out on Thursday. At that time, her daughter was very worried and scared, so the whole family kept praying to God, declaring the truth they had received before. After a few days, when they went for another check-up, they found the tumor had disappeared. It was only about three or four days later that they found her body was completely healthy. Such power and wisdom are effects that cannot be achieved through human knowledge.
Even if you sit at home and meditate, "This tumor will disappear, it will disappear," will it disappear? No. Or you can analyze how this tumor was formed, but you cannot analyze how it can naturally disappear. But when you fear God, believe in God's words, and declare that you are healthy, you will receive it.
Some say, "I declared it, but why did I not see this result?" In fact, it is not by declaration that we receive everything, but by the result of believing in the declaration. You believe that God has such great power, believe that God's healing can happen in an instant, and believe that God's healing hand is upon you at this moment, and you will receive! We do not rely on how many times we recite scriptures to move God or to persuade ourselves that this thing is no longer there. If it is there, it is there; if it is not, it is not. You believe that God has taken it away; that is the part we need to believe. Hallelujah.
Therefore, to fear God is to place God first. As you continually know Him, you will see how much power He has, and when that power is manifested in you, you will see miracles and wonders. If we continually know God, perhaps you will not even need God's healing because God will keep your body healthy. Hallelujah.
Matthew 11:25-30:
25 At that time, Jesus said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
This passage of Jesus' words is worth our repeated contemplation. Why did Jesus say, "You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes"? Does God not want the wise and prudent to receive His blessings? Not at all.
Because the wise and prudent in the world are often self-centered, these people are unwilling to listen to God's words and even less willing to rely on God because they have enough methods to solve the problems they encounter. But our God reveals Himself to babes because babes cannot take care of themselves or solve their problems, so our God begins to help them. Thank the Lord.
Jesus Christ was able to manifest all of God's great power on earth because He never used His own cleverness and wisdom. Everything He did was what the Father commanded Him to do, and everything He said was what the Father commanded Him to say. He was unwilling to use His own ideas for His own matters, so He prayed to God for everything.
This is why we need to pray to God in all things. When a person does not pray to God, they are actually relying on themselves, using their own methods to solve problems and their own thoughts to view all problems, which often leads to mistakes. If you have experienced many failures in this regard, I encourage you to come before God. Because Jesus has a calling for you: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Because He is gentle and lowly in heart, you must take His yoke upon you, doing things and thinking like Him, learning His ways, and then you will find rest, making all your problems simpler.
If you are in business and have no customers and many problems, you must first come before Jesus. When you fear God, you will have wisdom, and having wisdom from God will make solving your problems particularly simple. God makes our lives easier; His burden is light. Amen. So if you feel tired in this world and have many problems, rely on Jesus. As long as you believe correctly, you will find life becoming easier. Thank the Lord.
Verse 11: You, through Me, will have your days multiplied, and your years will be added.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your days will be multiplied, referring to good days increasing. Every year we celebrate several festivals, and some festivals are very joyful, and we say, "This is a good day." But in reality, from the day you believe in Jesus, every day of your life afterward is a good day! As long as you rely on God, as long as you fear God, and have wisdom and faith from God, every day is a good day, and those good days will naturally increase. Your years will also be added. Here, years refer to the years of health and peace you have on earth, during which you will continually experience His goodness.
Psalm 65:11-13:
11 You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. 12 They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side. 13 The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys are covered with grain. They shout for joy and sing.
Does reading these words fill our hearts with hope and rest? God crowns your year with goodness; throughout the year, it is grace from God. The paths you walk drip with abundance; that is God's richness upon you, and it drips on the pastures of the wilderness. Thank the Lord, so every day you will rejoice and be glad. If you are shepherding sheep, God will prepare various pastures for you; if you are farming, you will be filled with grain, and everything will shout for joy.
The reason is that God has bestowed blessings. If people can see such blessings from God, they will fear God, and fearing God is the beginning of wisdom.
Verse 12: If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
This is a choice given to us; God does not force His wisdom upon you; it depends on whether you choose to follow Him. People should be responsible for their choices; if they choose wrongly, they will bear the cost. So choosing is easy, but the key is to choose correctly. If a person insists on being wrong, they will continue to be wrong. Each person's choice will affect themselves and those around them.
Job 35:6-8:
6 If you sin, how does that affect God? Or if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him? 7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him? Or what does He receive from your hand? 8 Your wickedness affects a man such as you, and your righteousness a son of man.
This passage speaks very correctly. If you sin, do you think you can harm God? I hear many people say, "When we sin, we cause God's glory to suffer loss and bring shame to God." You are mistaken; your sin only brings shame to you; God will not be harmed by your sin. If a person has transgressions and continues to increase them, God will not suffer any loss. Take gatherings as an example; if you do not attend, does God feel very sad or angry? No, if someone does not come, it is only their own loss.
Similarly, if you do not fear God, will God lose some glory? No. If you do not regard God as wise, will God feel sad because of that? No. If you do not rely on God and do not receive His blessings, will His blessings expire? No. So family, we draw near to God because we need God. We trust in Jesus Christ because we need life.
Likewise, when problems arise in our bodies or lives, we rely on God because we need Him. Whether we do things that are beneficial or harmful to God, it will not reduce or increase anything for Him; but we are different. If we are in transgressions, we will suffer losses.
If you do righteousness, can you increase God's glory? No. Can He receive anything from your hand? No. You say we glorify God; does that mean God's glory increases a little? No. So this is the part we need to think about. Therefore, doing evil or harming those around us is similar to us; but doing righteousness can benefit others. Thank the Lord! So which one will you choose? If you are wise, it will be beneficial to yourself; if you insist on living pridefully, it will not benefit you, and you will bear the consequences alone. God will not suffer any loss because of your pride.
Proverbs 8:17-21:
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue better than choice silver. 20 I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, 21 that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.
This passage is the wisdom we need; this is what Solomon tells us. If we love God, how do we love Him? By fearing Him, placing Him first, and acting according to His words; that is how we love Him. Diligently seeking Him means relying on Him in all things, and you will find Him and gain riches and honor. Moreover, God will also grant you enduring wealth because all of this is freely given by God. When we fear God, wisdom is produced. Amen.
So you see many people who fear God live well, and there is no lack in their homes; these are the fruits. If you fear God and see God as better than gold and fine gold, then His produce will surprise you because honor and riches come from Him. If you love God, He says He will make you inherit wealth and fill your treasuries. So, dear family, may each of us act according to God's words; God knows all that you need and is willing to give it to you.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, we thank and praise You. Thank You for giving us such words, letting us know that fearing God is the beginning of wisdom. We are willing to understand this true wisdom, willing to know Jesus Christ and His cross, because the blessings of life and abundant living we receive are all related to the cross of Jesus. Help us to live every day like Jesus honors the Father, and we are willing to rely on You in all things. In this week, we expect good things to come upon us, and let us act according to God's words in all matters. Thank and praise the Lord; all glory belongs to You. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen.