Proverbs chapter 8 (part 1) - Instruction, Knowledge, Wisdom are better than Silver, Gold, Jewels

Proverbs chapter 8.

Summary:  Wisdom is proclaimed, propagated and publicized to everyone at everywhere. Simple and foolish people should learn prudence. Wisdom brings many benefits, rewards and blessings. God promised Riches, Wealth, Money, Prosperity and Honour to those whose live Wisely, loving and honouring God.

Wisdom's Call  (NIV).
The Gifts of Wisdom  (RSV).
The Excellence of Wisdom  (NKJV).

1 Does not wisdom call out?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 2 At the highest point along the way,
    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 3 beside the gate leading into the city,
    at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 4 “To you, O people, I call out;
    I raise my voice to all mankind. (NIV)

1 Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
2 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.
3 3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:
4 4 “To you, O men, I call,And my voice is to the sons of men.  (NKJV)

Principles of Wisdom and Understanding are proclaimed loudly (call out, cry out, raise her voice, lift up her voice) from strategic places (hilltop, beside the road, at road junctions, at city gates, at entry of city, at entrance doors). Wisdom and Understanding are widely propagated and publicized to everywhere. Wisdom and Understanding are taught and instructed to all people, intended for everyone.

Dissemination of this Wisdom and Understanding is not for the angels, but for we human beings. Wisdom and Understanding are prominently publicized. There is no excuse that we do not know or never heard of Wisdom precepts.

5 5 O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O foolish men, pay attention.
6 6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right;
7 7 for my mouth will utter truth;
   wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  (RSV)

5 5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 7 My mouth speaks what is true,
    for my lips detest wickedness.  (NIV)

5 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
6 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
7 7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  (NKJV)

Simple and foolish people should learn up about Prudence and Understanding.

Output of Wisdom are:
1)  Excellent and Noble things.
2)  Trustworthy sayings.
3)  Saying the Right things. Doing what is Right.
4)  Truth. Speaking what is True.

Wickedness is totally against Wisdom. All forms of wickedness, evil and sins are bad. It is NOT wise to think, say and do according to path of Wickedness. Wickedness can appear in many forms, just as there are many types of sins. Wickedness is an abomination!

8 8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 9 They are all straight to him who understands
   and right to those who find knowledge.  (RSV)

8 8 All the words of my mouth are just;
    none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 9 To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.  (NIV)

The words of Wisdom are:
1) Righteous and just.
2) Not twisted, not crooked, not perverse.
3) Right and correct. Ability to discern good and evil.
4) Straight, efficient and effective pathway.
5) Upright and the right choice, for the knowing.

In conclusion, words of Wisdom are all good and beneficial.

10 10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
   and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.  (RSV)

10 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, 
   and nothing you desire can compare with her.  (NIV)

10 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.  (NKJV)

Value and appreciate Wisdom above money and wealth.
Instruction is worth more that Silver and Money.
Knowledge is worth more than Choice Gold and Wealth.
Wisdom is more valuable than Jewels, Rubies, Diamonds and Precious Gemstones.
Wisdom is more beneficial than our our worldly desires.

12 12 I, wisdom, dwell in prudence,[a]
    and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
  and perverted speech I hate.  (RSV)

Another output of Wisdom are:
1)  Prudence.
2)  Knowledge.
3)  Discretion.
We can see that there are so many virtues that we will gain by living a life of Wisdom.

Fear the Lord, love God, honour God, hating evil....these are the foundation of precepts of Wisdom.

13 13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
    I hate pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.  (NIV)

Examples of evil which we believers must hate include:
1) Pride and arrogance.
2) Evil behaviour.
3) Perverse and perverted speech. Lies. Slander. False accusation.

14 14 I have counsel and sound wisdom,
    I have insight, I have strength.
15 15 By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
16 16 by me princes rule,
   and nobles govern[b] the earth.  (RSV)

14 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.
15 15 By me kings reign
    and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 16 by me princes govern,
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.  (NIV)  

Wisdom is empowering. Wisdom provides the counsel, sound judgement, insight, power and strength for Kings, Rulers, Princes and Noble to reign, rule and govern.  Likewise, as Leaders, we also need to be empowered by Wisdom, which will provide us the sound judgement, insight and understanding, power and strength in our leadership role.

Wise Leader will win favour by his team. Wise Leader will gain much honour and respect from the team. Wise Leader who is guided by precepts of Wisdom will say, plan and do the wise and right things.

17 17 I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me.
18 18 Riches and honor are with me,
    enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than choice silver.
20 20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
    in the paths of justice,
21 21 endowing with wealth those who love me, 
   and filling their treasuries.  (RSV)

Wisdom belongs to those who love wisdom and love God, and those who seek wisdom.  Those who love and find Wisdom will be rewarded with Riches and Honour, lasting Wealth and Prosperity. The path of Wisdom is the way of Righteousness and Justice. Those who are righteous and just will rewarded with Wealth and much Money. The end result of Wisdom is better than fine gold and silver, better than Wealth and Money.

How wonderful to live wisely with Wisdom and Understanding?  How great it is to love and honour God?  If we live in Wisdom, loving and honouring God, we will be blessed and rewarded with Money, Riches, Wealth, Prosperity and Honour.

Sunday - Monday, Jan 12-13, 2014.
Michael Yeap.


NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%208&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
1)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.8.1-Prov.8.11
2)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.8.12-Prov.8.21
3)

Esther chapter 6 - Mordecai honoured

Esther Chapter 6.

Mordecai Honoured.

6 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,”his attendants answered.  (NIV)

6 On that night the king could not sleep; and he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mor′decai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands upon King Ahasu-e′rus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mor′decai for this?” The king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”  (RSV)

Application:  We should recall on the good things that God had blessed us. We should thank and praise God for every good thing and event in our life. We should count our blessings.

Application:  We should think of the good things our subordinates, our peers, our superiors, our customers, our vendors, our friends, our family and relatives have done to us. We should appreciate and thank them. Say something nice to them. Recognize them. This will help us improve our relations with other people. This will help us fulfil the commandment of "Love your neighbour as yourself."

Earlier on, although Mordecai discovered and reported the plot to assassinate  the King, Mordecai had not been recognized, honoured and rewarded. When the King knew about it as the book of chronicles was read to him, King Xerxes decided to reward and honour Mordecai. Reward was better late than never.

It is easy for the high-level people to forget the good deeds of the lower-level people. If we are at the top management, we must remember and notice not only the middle management, we must must also take note of the contribution of the lower-rung people and ordinary workers.

4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.  (NIV)

4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mor′decai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him.5 So the king’s servants told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.”  (RSV)

The night before, Haman had a banquet dinner with King Xerxes and Queen Esther. He bragged about his successes and expressed his disdain for Mordecai who did not pay respect to him. His relatives suggesting constructing a high gallows to hang Mordecai. Early in the morning, Haman hurried to see King Xerxes. He wanted to get the King's order/consent to hang Mordecai.
On the other hand, the night before, King Xerxes had discovered that Mordecai had saved his life. Mordecai had discovered an assassination plot and had yet to be honoured and rewarded. In the morning, King Xerxes was still thinking about how to honour and reward the person who saved his life.
The first person that came into the palace to see the King was Haman. The King was pleased to ask Haman's opinion. After all, Haman is the King's most trusted person, the King's right-hand man.

6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”  (NIV)

Management concept:  It is good to have self-confidence. However, we should be over-confident.

Application: We serve God, we remain dedicated, committed and faithful to God. We think God will definitely want to use us. When the Leadership election/appointment is done, we don't get elected/appointed into the Leadership position, we feel so disappointed.
Do not be over-confident. God works in amazing and surprising way. We don't know God's plan. God has a plan and purpose. Our intelligence will tell us that Route A is good and God will open the door A. Instead, God closes the door A and opens another door B.

When King Xerxes asked Haman how best to honour the man that the King delights, Haman automatically thought that the person to be honoured would be Haman himself. Why? Just the night before, Haman had the privilege and top honour of a closed-door banquet dinner with King and Queen. Secondly, Haman was the King's favourite person, often dining and drinking with the King. Thirdly, Haman was the second most powerful person, second after the King. Who else did the King wanted to honour if not Haman?

Haman was thinking of the highest possible honour he himself could obtain. He wanted something closest to what the King had. Thus he suggested the highest honour.
1) Royal robe - which had been worn by the King.
2) Royal horse - which has been ridden by the King, with royal crest on the horse's head.
3) The most noble prince to robe the Honoured Person with royal robe, lead the Honoured person to the royal horse.
4) The most noble prince to lead the Honoured Person throughout the city proclaiming ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’

10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”  (NIV)

Haman had suggested a very high level of honour to be bestowed. As the King was veru grateful to Mordecai who saved his life, King Xerxes agreed to Haman's suggestion. In fact, King Xerxes told Haman to implement everything that he proposed, not leaving out anything.

Haman had to eat the humble pie. Instead of Haman getting King's consent to hang Mordecai, Haman being the highest-level noble had to robe Mordecai with royal robe, seat Mordecai on the royal horse, and lead Mordecai throughout the Susa city proclaiming the King's honour upon Mordecai.

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.  (NIV)

A sudden turn of event. Haman was the King's favourite. Because Mordecai had discover the assassination plot and thus saved the King's life, the King has bestowed high-level of honour upon Mordecai. Haman was feeling grief, that he might soon be displaced.

When he discussed about the event with his advisers and his wife, they predicted Haman's downfall. Haman was scheming against Mordecai and the Jews, planning to destroy and annihilate them. Suddenly, the scenario had changed. Mordecai, a Jew, is now deemed by the King as his saviour. The King was grateful to Mordecai, and had given Mordecai a high-level of honour.

Before he could ponder further, the King's eunuchs had arrived to fetch Haman to the banquet dinner of Queen Esther.

Management concept:  Do not be too proud or confident of our current success. Times can change. Success can suddenly reverse.
We can be the Top Leader. However, at any time, without foreseen notice, the Top Leadership could be changed over to someone else. Maybe to someone that we have never thought off.

Success is not forever. Riches and wealth is not forever. Power and honor is not forever.

Nothing is permanent except Change.

Monday, Dec 30, 2013.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%206&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%206&version=RSV

KJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%206&version=KJV

Commentaries:
1)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Esth.6.1-Esth.6.3
2)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Esth.6.4-Esth.6.11
3)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Esth.6.12-Esth.6.14