In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “A gracious woman retains honor: and strong men retain riches”, and in chapter eleven and verse seventeen of Proverbs Solomon said, “the merciful man does good to his own soul” where we read,
The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.
The verse begins, “The merciful man does good to his own soul:” Solomon began with the words, “the merciful man” or “the person whether male or female who is kind, faithful and pitiful” “does good to his own soul” which means “performs recompenses, rewards and give bounty toward his, the merciful man's, own personal heart, mind, will, desires, conscience and seat of emotions and passions”. Solomon shared how the person who demonstrates faith and pity rewards and grants bounty toward their own personal heart, mind and will.
The verse continues, “but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.” Solomon added the words, “but he that is cruel” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the person who exists as harsh, fierce and savage” “troubles his own flesh” which means “stirs up, disturbs and afflicts the person's own personal body or skin next to the bones”. Solomon said the person who is fierce and savage afflicts and disturbs their own body.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how there is a reciprocal reaction to the way a person acts toward others. The person who is kind and pitiful toward others benefits their own heart, mind and will, and the person who is harsh and cruel toward others will cause difficulties in their own bodies. God knows what is best for us, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins, He made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life with Him and how to be kind and faithful to others so that we are blessed as well.
Next time Solomon says, “the wicked works a deceitful work”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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