In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not: neither go into for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse eleven of Proverbs Solomon said, “my son, be wise, and make my heart glad” where we read,
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
that I may answer him that reproaches me.
The verse begins, “My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, ...” Solomon began with the words, “my son” or “my, Solomon's, male offspring and progeny”, “be wise” which means “exist as skilled, shrewd and prudent”, “and make my heart glad” or “and cause my, Solomon's, soul, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections to rejoice, brightened and cheered up ”. Solomon instructed his “son” to be skillful, shrewd and prudent because it would cause his soul, mind and will to rejoice.
The verse continues, “... that I may answer him that reproaches me.” Solomon added the words, “that I may answer him”or “so I, Solomon, might turn back, apostatize and respond to the person whether male or female” “that reproaches me” which means “who taunts, defies and defames me, Solomon”. Solomon told his son that he would possess a response to people who taunt and defame him when his son was skilled, shrewd and prudent.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon wanted his “son” to be skilled, shrewd and prudent, and this would not only cause him to be gladdened within his spirit, but also give him the ability to respond to people who taunted and defamed him. God also wants us to be “wise”, and He will give us His “wisdom” when we ask Him. (See James 1:5) The wisest decision we will ever make is to surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, and when we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and make His heart “glad” as we exhibit His shrewdness, skill and prudence throughout the world.
Next time Solomon says, “a prudent man foresees evil, and hides himself”, 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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