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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 120

STUDY 120

Text: Proverbs 14
12 October 2003

Dear Parents,

ENCOURAGEMENT TO SEEK AFTER WISDOM
Let us always encourage our children to seek after wisdom. Great blessings are in store for those who pursue after wisdom.

The king’s favour is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Proverbs 14:35

Let us ponder what this text suggests about wisdom.

1. It is possible for even a servant to find wisdom

Sometimes, people lament and complain that wisdom is a difficult thing to obtain. Yet, here we read about a servant being “wise”. It is not impossible to find wisdom.

2. Wisdom gets a person noticed

A king would, of course, have many servants. Those who display wisdom would inevitably get themselves noticed by others, in this case here, the king himself.

3. Wisdom obtains due reward

The servant who pursues wisdom will find himself well-rewarded. The king could do a number of things for that wise servant.

a) He could be promoted to higher service. He does not need to remain as the man at the bottom of the totem pole.

b) He could win the king’s ear. The servant could end up having a very prominent job. The Old Testament offers a number of examples of the wise ending up being highly favoured by kings. We have Joseph who became one of the most powerful ministers in Egypt. Then there was Daniel and his three friends. We may also cite Nehemiah and Ezra as outstanding examples too. All displayed great wisdom in all they did.

THE ONE WHO CAUSES SHAME
What is the opposite of the person called “the wise servant”? The answer is fascinating. The contrast is not “a foolish man” because that would seem to be the most obvious antonym.

The answer lies in another expression – “the one who causes shame”. This person could cause shame in a number of ways. He is one who cannot be bothered about living right. He is unrighteous. He is selfish. He causes shame to his parents, to his community and ultimately to his country. May we be spared!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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