Daily Bread for Jul 16, Pro 10-12

Today’s readings are Pro 10-12.

Here we have three chapters of contrasts. Notice, nearly every other line starts with "but." Many of them contrast the righteous with the wicked. While they are good and wise sayings that can guide us in making decisions and conducting godly relationships, they also serve to reveal godly character and nature and/or the character and nature of those who are wicked.

All of this pivots around a central verse, Pro 12:28, 

"In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death." 

Solomon's wisdom is exceptional not because Solomon is wise, but because God has made him wise. Solomon's wisdom is a gift from God. Eventually, Solomon will make this evident by making, apart from God, some very unwise decisions.

Solomon's wisdom transcends his time. Another eon will pass before we find that true righteousness comes from Jesus Christ alone. In Him, there is life. True godly wisdom is a gift from God. So is His only Son, who imputes His righteousness to us bringing us life.

We are unable to boast about any of this. We are not wise on our own. We cannot become righteous on our own. Solomon is the living proof of that. Wisdom and righteousness are gifts from God. If we ever begin to consider ourselves as wise and righteous, we should bear these truths in mind.