1. A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
This is the third “better than” proverb that we have encountered even though a different phase, “is rather to be chosen,” is used instead. The others were Proverbs 17:1 and 19:1 and all those “better than” comments apply here also.
But having a “good name” and “loving favor” raises different questions. Isn’t it true that Jesus promised a blessing for those who don’t have a good name?
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
There are some who are persecuted because they are obnoxious and they rejoice because they think this promised blessing is for them. But is it? Peter writes about these fine distinctions.
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:14-16)
It is one thing if you are a Christian who is full of good works and the world hates you for that (and there are people that hate like that). It is another thing if you are a Christian and you are always meddling in other people’s business instead of minding your own. Generally speaking, because there is still a lot of common grace in our culture, people recognize good works and praise them. This was even true 2000 years ago in Peter’s time.
“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Peter 3:13)
Peter, recognizing that this is true, gives this Biblical counsel as the means to live the good life.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12)
This is the good name and loving favor that is being promoted in our proverb for today. And this same thing was true of Jesus also.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)
So here was Jesus as a child and young man with a good name and loving favor. Later, when Jesus became a man and started preaching this all changed so that this prophecy was fulfilled.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)
What happened? After Jesus was baptized/anointed he entered his formal ministry as the Christ (the Anointed One) and began preaching against sin. (Jesus did not do this before his baptism.) Then this verse became true.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
But while this is true Jesus assures us with this hope.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Why should this give us peace? Is it because evil is so strong that it will win but we will die and go to heaven so who cares anyway? No. It is because Jesus has overcome and he has prepared the way for us to overcome the world also through faith.
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
You see we are here to overcome evil, not to allow it to win the day.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
And this is why a good name and loving favor is so important in establishing a Family Legacy.
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