An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

A Garland of Grace

(Proverbs 4:9 KJV)  She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

An “ornament” (garland NASB) (3880) of “grace” (2580) is a beautiful picture.  I like the NASB phrase “garland of grace.”  This is the grace that Noah found.  It is a picture that is completed in the New Testament with the coming of the Holy Spirit and believers that are saved and kept by the grace of God.  Here, it is wisdom that bestows this character trait.

I think this reflects a tradition that I know was common in the Greek and Roman world but probably was more wide-spread than that.  A simple crown of greenery was awarded as the prize to someone who was a great hero or won a great victory.  It was like the Medal of Honor given to American soldiers.  My understanding is that if a private receives the medal of honor, and is wearing it, generals must stand at attention and salute him.  Grace can elevate the most common to heights undeserved. 

Wisdom can do that for us, not to fulfill a desire for fame and recognition but to show that we live in obedience.

So?  Seek wisdom.  Let it change your vision and visage.

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Salvation DOES change your perspective, if not quickly, then gradually. I hadn't heard that about the Medal of Honor. I wonder if it's true. I HOPE it is!

Pumice said...

One of the great things about growing spiritually is that there is always a brighter future. Just think what eternity will be like.

The MOH detail I have picked up in passing in several works of fiction but it was presented as fact and I buy it.

Grace and peacce.