Proverbs 22:1-11 The Wisdom of Choosing a Good Name

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The Wisdom Choosing a Good Name
Proverbs 22:1-11
November 16-17, 2024

“What’s in a name?” It was William Shakespeare who made those words immortal. Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love at first sight though they come from feuding, enemy families; Romeo a Montague, Juliet a Capulet.

Shakespeare meant to convey the thought that the name of things is irrelevant. “What’s in a name? Juliet says, “that which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell just as sweet.” What she meant is, “Why do you have to be a Montague? What’s in a name? It’s only because of that name that I’m supposed to be your enemy.”

“Romeo, doff thy name! And for that name which is no part of thee; Take all of myself.”

What’s in a name? you ask. God has a different answer. When you were born, you had no say in the matter of your name. Parents choose a name for their children for different reasons. Some are named after their father or another relative. In biblical times, parents would sometimes name a child for something they did.

Jacob was born immediately after his twin brother Esau, but was holding onto Esau’s heel, so they named him, “heel snatcher.” His brother Esau was born covered in red hair, so his parents said, “I know, let’s call him Hairy.”

But names have meaning. Unfortunately, Jacob, or “heel snatcher” can also mean, ‘one who trips up another.’ And that’s who Jacob became, someone who takes advantage of others through conniving and tripping up another.

And although you had no say in the matter of the name given to you at birth, you do have a say in what that name means when it comes to the content of your character, the integrity of your soul and your reputation.

“A good name is better to be chosen than great riches,” are the opening words of this proverb. It’s filled with deep and rich insight into the value of your name and all that it represents.

You have a say in the content of your character. Those who honor God and seek godly wisdom and desire to live their lives by that godly wisdom have chosen a good name.

I. A Good Name is Better than Great Riches

Names are important. Names have meaning.

Proverbs 18:10, The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.

In modern Israel, Jews today referred to God as “Hashem.” In Hebrew, it means, ‘the name.’
It is a respectful way to refer to God, as Jews traditionally avoid directly saying His name, which is considered by Jews to be too holy to pronounce. How great is His name.
The name of God is a strong tower to which the righteous run in times of trouble. They run to the name of God because the names of God describe His character and His nature.
Jehovah Jireh, “The Lord will provide.”Jehovah Rapha, “The Lord who heals.”
Jehovah Nissi, “The Lord our banner.”
Jehovah Shalom, “The Lord our peace.”
Jehovah Tsidkenu, “The Lord our righteousness.”
Jehovah Rochee, “The Lord our shepherd.”
El Elyon, “God Most High.”
El Gibhor, “The Almighty God.”
Jehovah, Yahweh, “All that I am, I am to you.”
Your good name is the content of your character that comes from your relationship to God.

A. A good name can be chosen

Choosing a good name begins by choosing to honor and revere God.
The path of life, the course you choose to walk determines the content of your character. When you honor God in how you conduct the affairs of your life, God will give you a good name.
One of the best examples of that in the bible would be Job. It says of him that he was upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. As a result, God gave him a name was that was honored and revered by those around him.

Job 23:11-12, “My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Job delighted in the Almighty, he treasured God’s word more than his necessary food. God built in him the construct of integrity, of wisdom, and of stature. It was the posts, the beams, the steel, the rocks of the strength of his integrity and the character of his soul. God built that in Job because Job delighted in the Almighty.
And the result was something everyone could see, and they honored him. He had chosen a good name. The name of Job had meaning.

Job 29:7-11, “When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square; young man saw me and hid themselves, old men rose and stood on their feet. Princes stopped talking, the voice of nobles was hushed, and when the ear heard, it called me blessed.”

This is the work of God in the soul when God builds in you the construct of integrity. When He pours wisdom and stature into your life. It becomes the posts, the beams, the steel, the rocks of the strength of your integrity and the character of your soul. God will build that when you delight in the Almighty.
God will give you a good name because you chose to honor God.
That is the covenant God wants you to make with your soul; that you value what God is building and that you treasure that beautiful work on the soul more than your necessary food.

B. God’s favor is a great treasure

Verse 1 – “a good name is more to be desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold.”
God’s favor is of great value, it is the greatest treasure of the soul. You can rely on the favor of God when you revere His name.
Riches, however, are a false hope on which you cannot rely.

Proverbs 18:10-11, The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe… A rich man’s wealth is his strong city and like a high wall – – in his own imagination.

Jesus described it is as, “the deceitfulness of riches,” which suggests that riches will not deliver what they promise.
Many people assume that riches will bring more security, more contentment, more joy and more satisfaction in life. It supposedly gives them purpose and meaning; but it also chokes out the Word of God.
Jesus said that the Word of God is sown on different types of hearts, like they were different types of soils. At one point, Jesus said…

Luke 8:14, “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to maturity.”

Notice verse 2 – The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all.
In other words, God shows no partiality. The rich and the poor, the Lord is the maker of them all; each one is made in the image of God; each one must choose the riches of a good name and the favor of God.

C. God rewards those who honor Him

Verse 4 – The reward of humility and the reverence of the Lord… Are riches, honor, and life.
Wait. Riches, honor, and life are the reward of humility and reverence for the Lord?
Riches are a false hope. We read in the Psalms that it is those who honor God who are truly happy, a deep residing peace has settled on their soul. Something beautiful happens in the soul of the one who honors God first and foremost.
Those who honor the name of the Lord are not just blessed in the soul, but also in life. In other words, it’s a blessing that comes back to you.

Psalm 112:1, 3-4,9, How blessed is the man who reveres the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands… Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever… He is gracious and compassionate and righteous… He gives freely to the poor; and his horn will be exalted in honor.

There are those who seek wealth and riches above all things; it is their greatest desire. Why? Because they think that wealth and riches will make them happy. They have missed the point entirely.
But the true wealth of a man is not measured by his possessions or the value of his financial accounts, the true wealth of a man is measured by his spiritual stature, and by the spiritual riches contained in his character.
I can prove it to you. If you desired to leave a posterity to your children, which would benefit them more – godly character or heaps of gold and silver? Gold and silver without godly character will destroy your children. Godly character will give them a foundation that will reap benefits for the rest of their lives.
The one whose soul is filled with God’s glory and delights in God’s presence in his life is already spiritually wealthy. And he has the right understanding of the things of this earth – they are not enough to satisfy the soul.
Psalm 62:10, If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.
The pleasant things of the world are certainly pleasant. We live in a time of great abundance. Solomon in all his glory did not have microwave kettle corn, or Nacho Doritos, or caramel macchiatos.
But the pleasant things of the world are not enough to satisfy what the soul desires. I desire more. My heart desires higher things; greater things. My soul desires to drink from the river of God’s delight, my soul is satisfied by the Bread of Life. I want glory that comes from God.

II. Guard Your Good Name and Run from Evil

Verse 3 – The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naïve go on, and are punished for it.
Evil will destroy your good name.
What takes years to build can be destroyed in a matter of minutes… From one foolish decision.

A. The prudent can discern evil

The prudent sees and discerns – and by wisdom – can predict the outcome of evil so he hides himself.
The naïve, the simple, do not discern, they cannot see the danger. They cannot predict the outcome, and they run straight toward the evil.
Verse 5 – Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards himself will be far from them.
Verse 8 – He who sows iniquity will reap vanity.

Proverbs 14:15-16, A prudent man considers his steps. A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.

The word ‘cautious’ in Hebrew is actually the word, ‘fear.’ A wise man fears evil.
Really? A wise man is afraid? Of this, he is. Because a wise man knows the power, the destructive power, of evil, and he stays clear of the thing.
That thing will destroy you. That thing will consume you. The wise man knows the destructive power of evil because he is wise. He has insight to see. He knows what the arrogant and the fool does not know.
The fool is arrogant and careless – he doesn’t care. He boldly walks where angels fear to tread.
Why so careless? Because his arrogance blinds him. He doesn’t see the destructive power of evil, that it will destroy you. This thing will consume you; this thing will drain your spiritual life; it will reduce you to a loaf of bread. Are you not afraid of that? You ought to be.
It’s not to be trifled with. Evil is not to be trifled with, and a wise man knows it. He will not walk in the fields of the enemy; he will walk in the path of the righteous. A wise man is cautious and discerning and runs from evil.

B. Teach this to your children

Verse 6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
This verse is quoted often, but it’s important to see it in its context. If you love your child, then train up your child to choose a good name; to know that a good name is more desired than great riches, that the favor of God is more valuable than silver and gold.
Train your child to know that evil is not to be trifled with; that the one who is prudent has the discernment to see the evil and hides himself from it.
Vs 11 – He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.
What a grand finale to the message; those who choose a good name more than great riches, love purity of heart – and the King of all the earth is your friend.

The Wisdom Choosing a Good Name
Proverbs 22:1-11
November 16-17, 2024

The wisdom of choosing a good name. What's in the name? Those words were made famous by Shakespeare, of course, who wrote Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet were from different families, enemy feuding families. He, a Montague, she, a Capulet, but they met and they fell in love at first sight, but they're from enemies. Their families, the Montagues, the Capulets are enemies and so she is frustrated. "It's only because of that name that I'm supposed to be your enemy."

She says, "What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. Oh, Romeo, Romeo, tough thy name, Romeo, and for that name which is no part of thee, pick me, all of myself."

There you go. There you go. See, I always wanted to be a Shakespearean actor, and that's my one shot right there. That's all I got. That's it right there. What is in a name? See, Shakespeare conveys that names are a convention for distinguishing people and things, but they have no worth. They have no value is the thrux of his point. God says, "No, I don't agree." Names have meaning.

What's in a name? A good name is to be chosen above great riches. The content of your character is contained in your name. When you were born, you had no say in the matter of your name. Parents chose your name. Parents choose names for different reasons. Some name after the mother and the father or some relative. In ancient Hebrew days, they would sometimes name a child after a thing they did or what they appeared to be.

For example, Jacob and Esau were twins. They were born. Esau was born first. Jacob, born immediately after. When he was born, he had a hold of his brother's heel and so his parents said, "Oh, look at that. He's got a hold of his brother's heel. I know what. Let's call him Heel Snatcher." That's what Jacob means, heel snatcher. Then Esau, the brother, was born hairy, which is pretty unusual, and so they said, "Would you look at that? That boy has got hair. I know what. Let's call him Hairy." I'm not making it up. That's actually what Esau means. His name means hairy. Now, names have meaning.

Jacob, they named Heel Snatcher, but it has another meaning, which is one who trips another by kicking their heel. It meant a conniver. Jacob grew up fulfilling the meaning of that name, a conniver, one who trips people. Names have meanings. Although you had no say in the matter of the name given to you at birth, you do have a say in the meaning, the content of your name now. When people think of your name, what do they think? Content of your character is contained in the meaning of your name.

I. A Good Name is Better than Great Riches

This proverb starts out, "A good name is better to be chosen than great riches, filled with deep rich insight into the value of a good name and all that it represents." Let's read it. We're in Proverbs 22. We begin reading in verse 1. "A good name is more to be desired than great riches. Favor," meaning the favor of God "Is better than silver and gold." If you'd only understand the value of the favor of God in your life.

"Now, "The rich and the poor have this in common, that the Lord is the maker of them all. Now, the prudent, the wise one sees the evil and hides himself." This is how to make a good name. The naive, the simpleton meaning in Hebrew, they go on, they go right on. They go right into this evil and they are punished for it. They suffer for it. Showing you how to have a good name.

Verse 4, "For the reward of humility and the fear of the Lord," again, the word fear of the Lord here means the revering of the Lord. It's a very important word. It means those who have placed God in that which is of highest honor in their life, revering, respecting God. There's a reward for humility and the fear of the Lord, he says. "Its riches, honor, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse." He's showing you how to build a good name. "He who guards himself will be far from those thorns and snares."

Then verse 6 is famous, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich rules over the poor and the borrower becomes the lender's slave. He who sows iniquity will reap vanity," showing you the power of a good name. "The rod of his fury will perish. He who is generous will be blessed." This is what it means to have a good name. "He's generous and he'll blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. Drive out that scoffer," the one who does not have a good name, "and contention will go out. Strife and dishonor will cease. He who loves purity of heart, he whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend."

These are really great words. Wisdom of life for us to take hold of starting with that understanding. A good name is better, more valuable than great riches. Names have meaning. Names are important. Consider the power of God's name. We read before Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, and the righteous run into it and are saved." The name of the Lord.

Interestingly in Israel today, actually, Jews all over the world today, when they refer to God, they refer to Him as The Name, Hashem in Hebrew. This is the way that Jews all over the world today-- Such is the power of His name. He is called the name, Hashem. See, it's a very respectful way to refer to God. Jews traditionally avoid directly saying His name because Jews consider His name to be too holy to pronounce. Such is the greatness of His name.

See, the name of the Lord is a strong tower to which the righteous run. The righteous run to the name of the Lord because of what that name means, what it represents. See, those who need the provision of God run to Jehovah Jireh, the Lord, our provision. Those who need healing run to Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. Those who need banner, cover protection, they run to Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner. Those who are confounded, they need peace, they run to Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our peace.

Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness, the Lord our shepherd. El Elyon, God most high. El Gibbor, the Almighty God. Jehovah Yahweh, all that I am, I will be to you. Such as the power of His name. What do people think of when they hear your name? Names have meaning. What the Scripture suggests to us is that those who desire to have a great name will bring their name under the banner of the name, which is above every other name. There is a name that's higher than all others.

A. A good name can be chosen

Those who come under the banner, God will reward them and bless them with a good name. That's what He shows us in this chapter, that a good name can be chosen. You have a say. What do you want people to think of when they consider your name? Wouldn't it be amazing if when people heard your name, they recognized that name, it means something? There's value to that name. That name means something. See, choosing a good name comes from honor and revering God.

You bring your name under the great name that is above every other name. You've chosen a path. See, the course of which you live, the course of life in which you walk determines who you will become, the content of your faith, the content of your character, how you conduct the affairs of your life. When you bring your name under the banner of that great name, God will give you a good name that is of greater value than great riches.

I think one of the best examples of this in the Bible would have to be that of Job. It describes Job in chapter one of that book. It says That Job was an upright man, fearing God, which means revering. He put God in a place of greatest honor in his life. That's what he means. He was upright, fearing God, turning away from evil. As a result, God gave him a name that was honored, revered, because he brought his name under the banner of the great name.

Job 23:11-12 where Job says, "My foot has held fast to His path." You got to choose how you going to live. You got to choose the path how you going to conduct the affairs of life. Job says, "My foot has held fast to His path. I have kept His way. I've not turned aside. I've not departed from the command of His lips. I've treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." Such is the value of God's name to him. "I revere the name of God in my life."

Job delighted in the Almighty. It's a great picture. It was a great answer, by the way to Job's so-called friends that accused him of having hidden sins because of all that he was going through and suffering, and they accused him of these hidden sins, so he says, "Do sinners delight in the Almighty? I do. I delight in the Almighty." What a great answer to that accusation. "I delight in the Almighty. I treasure God's word more than my necessary food. I revere God."

Therefore, God built in him the construct of integrity, wisdom, and stature. It became the post, the beams, the steel, the rock of the strength of his character, of the integrity of his soul. God built that in Job because Job delighted in the Almighty, and the result was something everyone can see. The way he built his life, people could see it, and they honored him. In other words, the name of Job meant something. It had honor, respect to it.

Notice, for example, Job 29:7-11, he looks back on it and he says, "When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square, young men saw me and hid themselves. Old men rose and stood on their feet." What is a picture? Don't you love that picture? "I came into the city. I went out to the gates and I took my seat in the square. Old men would stand up, arise on their feet." Why? Because the name of Job meant something. Princes would stop talking because the name of Job meant something.

"The voice of nobles was hushed, and then the ear heard it, it called me blessed." This is the work of God in the soul. When you bring your name under that name which is above every name, and live your life and conduct the affairs of your life by that great name, when you revere God, put Him in a place of greatest honor, He pours wisdom and stature such that it becomes the post and the beams, the steel, the rocks of what God constructs. God will build that in you when you delight in the Almighty.

That's what He shows us. Notice in that same verse, 22:1, that God's favor is a great treasure. It's part of that good name. Notice verse one, "A good name is more to be desired than great riches and favor. God's favor is better than silver and gold." Which would you choose if you had a choice between the favor of God or silver and gold?

He says, "If you got any wisdom at all, choose the favor of God." It's more valuable than silver and gold. I would rather have the favor of God than any silver and gold the world could offer. Anybody agree with me? Can we give God praise?

It's a right understanding. He's trying to show you, do you not see the treasure, the value of God's favor in your life? God's favor rests upon those who revere God, who bring their name under the great name that is above every other name. You can rely on the favor of God. You can rest on the favor of God. You can rely on that name more than silver and gold. He says, "Riches are a false hope on which you cannot rely."

B. God’s favor is a great treasure

Notice I mentioned Proverbs 18:10, interesting when you add verse 11 to it, how it gives us the greater context. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous runs into it and are safe," but then he says, "But a rich man's wealth is his strong city and like a high wall to him," in his own imagination. [laughs] Yes, you think so? Don't you love that verse? Don't you just love it when the Scriptures just nails that? Oh, yes, you think so until that thing comes crashing down on you.

No, the name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous know it and they run into it and are saved. Which would you rather have for a strong tower? The name of the Lord or riches, silver, and gold? God says those who are wise know that the name of the Lord is that strong tower. "For riches are deceitful," Jesus said, "Beware the deceitfulness of riches." Now, that's an interesting word, deceitful. They deceive. In other words, they don't deliver what they promise.

Many people think, "Oh, riches. The promise of a satisfied life, it comes from money, wealth." He said, "Do you not know it chokes, the word of God is what it does." Jesus said that the word of God is sown on different types of hearts, just like seeds are sown on different types of soils. He says in Luke 8:15, "The seed which fell among the thorns," the word of God that fell upon thorny hearts, "These are the ones who've they've heard the word. They heard it, they received it, but then they go on their way and they're choked."

The word of God is choked by the worries, by the riches, by the pleasures of this life. Then the word of God brings no fruit to maturity because the pleasures and the riches choke. Notice back to Proverbs 22:2, He says, "The rich and the poor have this in common. The Lord is the maker of them all." In other words, God chose no partiality." God is not impressed. People are impressed by riches. God is not impressed. God is the maker of them all.

Each one must choose what is the tower on which you will rely. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. Choose the riches of His good name in the favor that rests upon those. See, the favor that rests upon those who rely on that good name, they have brought their name under the banner of the name above all names, and it transforms them, and there is a great reward. Notice verse four. God rewards those who honor Him, the reward of humility. First and foremost, He said, the reward of reverence of the Lord.

Those who have placed God in that way of greatest honor, that's what He means. God will reward that. God will bless you. It'll come back to you. You have decided in all humility that God is first and foremost of greatest honor in your life. God says, "There's a reward for that, riches, honor, and life." Very interesting. Riches, honor, and life. God says, "You placed this as the highest honor of your life is the name of the Lord. A reward will come to you." God will see to it.

C. God rewards those who honor Him

We read in the Psalms when we were studying through the Psalms, that it is those who honor God, who are truly happiest, blessed. The word bless in Hebrew has two main meanings. One of those is blessed, meaning blessed soul, peace residing deeply upon a soul, satisfied in the nearness of God, and the glory of God, residing upon his soul. A deep residing peace has settled on the soul of the one who honors God, reveres God, something beautiful happens in the soul of the one who honors God in this way. Something beautiful is my greed. Greed and selfishness is quite ugly in the soul, He says. No, it is those who honor the name of the Lord, who are blessed in the soul and also in life. It comes back to you as great blessings upon the soul. Blessed, happy, soul is satisfied. Blessed of the soul and blessed of life. A great reward comes to you, and riches, honor in life.

Notice Psalm 112. We read it there. How blessed is the man? That's the same word blessed. Contented of soul, filled with peace of God, glory resounding there. How blessed is the man who reveres the Lord? Place God in that of highest honor. That's what it means. Who greatly delights in his commands. I love that phrase. Delight in his commands. Delight is a great word. It's a delightful word. It's a happy word. It's a beautiful word.

He says, "Don't you see the blessedness? How blessed is the man who reveres God, who greatly delights." See, many people when they think of the commands of the Lord, they think of the word of God, they think of a very heavy thing, a burden, some weight. The Psalmist says, "No, you have missed it entirely. You could not have missed it more." Do not miss the blessedness of soul. The peace that resides because of glory there. Who greatly delights in his commands.

Notice a reward. Wealth and riches are in his house. Righteousness endures forever. He's gracious. This is the nature of your soul now, gracious, compassionate, righteous. He gives freely to the poor. What a great understanding. He is generous, not selfish and greedy. No, he's generous. He gives freely. Out of the abundance of his heart, He gives freely to the poor. Then he says, and His horn, that is the significance of his name, the authority of his name, it will be exalted in honor.

Those who honor God will be blessed of soul and blessed of life. God will bring forth that which is the reward of it all, he says, in riches and in honor. Oh, do you see the value of a good name? Honor. When you reside in this great truth, your name means something. People think of your name and it will mean something because you have brought your name under that name which is above every name, and you conduct the affairs of your life by that name.

Now, when people consider they see it. They can see it. They can see how you're living. They can see what's happening in your soul. The way you conduct yourself, the way you conduct your affairs. Your name means something. In contrast, there are those who seek wealth and riches above all things. It's the mantra of the age. It is their greatest desire. They pursue it. They long for it. They struggle after it. Why? Because they think that wealth and riches will make them happy, but it won't.

They'll be empty of soul. See, the true wealth of a man is not measured by his possessions or the value of his financial accounts. The true wealth of a man is measured in spiritual terms. His spiritual stature, spiritual riches contained in the character of his name, and I can prove it to you. I mentioned before that if you desire to leave a posterity to your children, many parents want to bless their children. If you wanted to bless your children and leave a posterity to your children, which would benefit them more? Godly character or heaps of gold and silver?

Which will bless their lives more? Godly character or heaps of gold and silver? I submit to you that gold and silver left to children without godly character will ruin their lives. Anybody agrees with me?

Godly character will become a foundation on which they can build and it will bless them for the rest of their lives. You want to bless your children? Leave a posterity like that. See, the one whose soul is filled with God's glory and delights in God's presence in his life, who in all humility reveres God, placing God in that of highest honor in his life, he's already spiritually wealthy. He has the spiritual riches of God in his life. Because of that, he has a right understanding of the things of the earth but he doesn't set his heart on things. He doesn't set his heart on riches.

Psalm 62:10, "If riches do increase, don't set your heart on them," because you have a right understanding of that which is of highest value to you. In all humility, the greatest value is what God is doing in the soul. Now, the pleasant things of the world are certainly pleasant. There are many pleasantnesses in the world. I made that word out. Pleasantnesses. There are many pleasantnesses in the world. Many things are pleasant. We live in a time of great abundance. We have so much today that even Solomon in all of his glory did not have. Solomon did not have a microwave, kettle corn, and popcorn.

With a bowl of nachos and Doritos, caramel macchiatos. There are so many pleasant things. I could go on and on. There are so many pleasant things, pleasantnesses, but they're not enough. They're not enough. They cannot satisfy the deepest longing of the soul. There is no possession. There's no amount of financial bearing that can satisfy what the soul desires. It's not enough. "You say, it's not enough. What do you need, pastor? What do you need?"

Glory and peace that comes from the residing presence of God. Need the soul satisfied. There are deeper places for the soul to reside. There are higher places for the soul to achieve. I want glory. Anybody agrees with me?

II. Guard Your Good Name and Run from Evil

Glory. Then he adds this. It's a very interesting turn here. He adds this, "Guard your good name." He shows the way of building a good name. Bring your name under the name above all other names, and conduct the affairs of your life by that great name, but then guard your good name and run from evil. Notice verse 3. The prudent, the wise, they see evil. They see the evil. They can see it and hides himself. Now, the naive, the simpletons, they just go on right into it and suffer.

In other words, evil will destroy your good name. Guard your good name. Bring your name under the banner of the name above all names, but then guard the value. When your name means something, it is of great value, guard that name. See, in other words, what takes years to build in a good name can be destroyed in a matter of minutes from one foolish decision. How long does it take to build the value of a good name? Guard that good name for it tells us that the prudent can discern evil.

A. The prudent can discern evil

Notice what it says. The prudent sees, discerns, and by wisdom, that's what wisdom does, gives the ability to see. It gives the ability to discern the matters of life. Wisdom gives the ability to predict the outcome. Where will this thing go? Where will this thing lead you? What will be the result of this thing? The prudent, the wise can see, but the naive, the simpleton cannot, they cannot see. They cannot predict the outcome. They cannot see the danger, and they run right straight into the evil and they suffer. Notice verse 5, "Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse." It reminds us of Hebrews 12.

"Lay aside every sin that so easily entangles." It's like Breyers. Along the path of which you walk, stay away from Breyers, thorns, snares. He who guards himself will go far from them because he's wise. Prudent. Notice verse 8 here. "He who so iniquity will reap emptiness, vanity." Let me give you another great proverb. Proverbs 14:15-16. Oh, this is so good here. Memorize, highlight, dog-ear this page, this proverb. It's so good. Notice. "A prudent man considers his steps." He ponders, he considers carefully his way. A prudent man. Wise one. He thinks. He considers his steps.

He says, "A wise man is cautious, turns away from evil, but the fool is arrogant and careless." Now, my mom taught me never call someone a fool, but the Scripture uses the word. I'm going to use it. A fool, careless, arrogant, but a wise man is cautious. Now, the word caution is there in Hebrew it means literally fear. A wise man fears evil. You might say, "Really? A wise man has fear? I thought he's that afraid of anything?"

No. Of this, he is because a man who is discerning, a man who is wise, knows the destructive power of evil, and he stays clear of the thing. He says, "He who guards himself will be far from it." Here's an illustration. Imagine that in this very room, there was a poisonous snake. How would you respond? Firstly, you wouldn't be sitting there calmly. If there was a poisonous snake in this room, the first thing would be, "I want to know where that is. If there's a poisonous snake in the room, I want to know where it is."

"I want to get my eyes on that thing and I want to make sure that I stay clear and everybody stays clear on that thing." Why? Because you know how destructive it is. It's a spiritual picture. This thing. Here's where the Holy Spirit begins to speak into each one. The Holy Spirit speaks to each one. This evil thing will destroy you. This thing will consume you. The wise man knows the destructive power of evil because he's wise, he has the ability to see. That's what wisdom gives, the ability to see.

He knows what the arrogant and the fool does not know. See, it says the fool is arrogant and careless. He doesn't care. He boldly runs where angels fear to tread as the old saying goes. Why so careless? Because his arrogance has blinded him. He cannot see. He can't see the destructive power of the thing, that it will destroy you. That this thing will consume you. That this thing will drain you of spiritual life. That this thing will reduce you to a loaf of bread. Are you not afraid of that?

He says you ought to be, but he whose wise knows how to conduct the affairs of his life so that his soul resides in peace. He resides in glory and the nearness of God and he has brought his name under that name above all other names. He conducts the affairs of his life by that great name. God will pour out blessings and honor and life. Then that one whose wise says, "And I want nothing to hinder that which God is doing in my life." You will guard that good name.

B. Teach this to your children

When your name means something, people see the way you conduct the affairs of your life. Your name means something, you're like, "I want nothing to interfere with that good name." The one who is wise will not walk in the fields of the enemy, but will walk in the path of righteousness. He's discerning and wise. Then there's this in verse 6. Teach this to your children. Verse 6, famous, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it."

This verse is so often quoted, it's so good to see it in its context. If you love your child, train up that child to choose a good name. How to bring forth that good name by bringing your name under the banner of the name above all other names, and conducting the affairs of your life by that good name, God will bless you, pour blessings and honor in life. Train your child up to know this, to know that a good name is more to be desired than great riches. That the favor of God is more valuable than silver or gold.

Train up your child to know that evil is not to be trifled with. Train your child to have discernment to see. Give them wisdom to see what so many in the world cannot see. Then verse 11, and we'll close with this, "He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend." Why does he love purity of heart? Because he knows that when you give honor to the name and you reside in that place of nearness and the glory of God resounds upon the soul, that God does a beautiful work and brings forth a purity of heart, and he loves it.

He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, where does gracious speech come from? The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what's good. It's all about the way that you conduct your life. The words that you speak come from the great treasure of God's wisdom and glory. The filling of his presence and spirit in your life is such that you love purity of heart. You love purity of heart, and you love speech that's gracious and kind.

That is the nature of those who have a good name. It's a good name, it's gracious, kind, gentle, peace. A good name. What a grand finale. Those who bring their name under that name above all other names will find such a blessing. Let's pray. Oh Lord, what can we say? What can we do? You have shown us great wisdom that would transform our lives.

God, we want our name to mean something.

We want to bring our name under the banner of that name above all other names, and to conduct the affairs of our life by that, to give glory and honor to your great name, to revere the Lord in all humilities such that you would pour forth the blessings and honor and life. God, we desire that good name. Church, how many would say that to the Lord today? I want to ask God that you would give to me that good name, that when people would consider my life, they would see it.

They would see my heart after you in the way I live, the way I speak, and that my name, it would mean something, because I brought my name under the banner of the name which is above every other name. I want a name like that, God. Would you say that to the Lord by raising your hand, as a way of just asking and acknowledging that prayer? God, do this work in me. Do this in me, God. I want my name to mean something. The way I live, the way I speak, conduct the affairs of my life, I want it to mean something, that it would be to your glory and to your honor. We love you and praise your name. In Jesus, everyone said?

Proverbs 22:1-11 NASB

22 ¹A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.
²The rich and the poor have a common bond,
The Lord is the maker of them all.
³The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,
But the naive go on, and are punished for it.
⁴The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches, honor and life.
⁵Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards himself will be far from them.
⁶Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
⁷The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
⁸He who sows iniquity will reap vanity,
And the rod of his fury will perish.
⁹He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
¹⁰Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out,
Even strife and dishonor will cease.
¹¹He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.

La sabiduría de elegir un buen nombre

Proverbios 22:1-11

16 y 17 de noviembre de 2024

—¿Qué hay en un nombre? Fue William Shakespeare quien hizo inmortales esas palabras. Romeo y Julieta se enamoran profundamente a primera vista, aunque provienen de familias en riña y enemigas; Romeo un Montesco, Julieta un Capuleto.

Shakespeare quiso transmitir la idea de que el nombre de las cosas es irrelevante. “¿Qué hay en un nombre? Julieta dice: “lo que llamamos rosa, por cualquier otro nombre, olería igual de dulce”. Lo que quería decir es: “¿Por qué tienes que ser un Montesco? ¿Qué hay en un nombre? Es solo por ese nombre que se supone que soy tu enemigo”.

—¡Romeo, quítate el nombre! Y por ese nombre que no es parte de ti; Toma todo de mí mismo”.

¿Qué hay en un nombre? Te preguntarás. Dios tiene una respuesta diferente. Cuando naciste, no tenías voz en el asunto de tu nombre. Los padres eligen un nombre para sus hijos por diferentes razones. Algunos llevan el nombre de su padre u otro pariente. En los tiempos bíblicos, los padres a veces nombraban a un niño por algo que hicieron.

Jacob nació inmediatamente después de su hermano gemelo Esaú, pero se aferraba al talón de Esaú, por lo que lo llamaron “ladrón de talones”. Su hermano Esaú nació cubierto de cabello rojo, por lo que sus padres dijeron: “Lo sé, llamémoslo Peludo”.

Pero los nombres tienen significado. Desafortunadamente, Jacob, o “ladrón de talones” también puede significar ‘uno que hace tropezar a otro’. Y en eso se convirtió Jacob, alguien que se aprovecha de los demás a través de la confabulación y la zancadilla de otros.

Y aunque no tuviste voz en el asunto del nombre que se te dio al nacer, sí tienes voz en lo que significa ese nombre cuando se trata del contenido de tu carácter, la integridad de tu alma y tu reputación.

“Es mejor elegir un buen nombre que las grandes riquezas”, son las primeras palabras de este proverbio. Está lleno de una visión profunda y rica del valor de su nombre y todo lo que representa.

Tienes voz y voto en el contenido de tu personaje. Aquellos que honran a Dios y buscan la sabiduría divina y desean vivir sus vidas de acuerdo con esa sabiduría piadosa han escogido un buen nombre.

I. Un buen nombre es mejor que las grandes riquezas

Los nombres son importantes. Los nombres tienen significado.

Proverbios 18:10, El nombre del Señor es una torre fuerte; El justo corre hacia ella y está a salvo.

⮚ En el Israel moderno, los judíos de hoy se referían a Dios como “Hashem”. En hebreo, significa ‘el nombre’.

⮚ Es una forma respetuosa de referirse a Dios, ya que los judíos tradicionalmente evitan decir directamente Su nombre, que los judíos consideran demasiado sagrado para pronunciarlo. ¡Cuán grande es Su nombre!

⮚ El nombre de Dios es una torre fuerte a la que corren los justos en tiempos de angustia. Corren hacia el nombre de Dios porque los nombres de Dios describen Su carácter y Su naturaleza.

⮚ Jehová Jireh: “El Señor proveerá”.

⮚ Jehová Rapha, “El Señor que sana”.

⮚ Jehová Nissi: “El Señor es estandarte”.

⮚ Jehová Shalom, “El Señor nuestra paz”.

⮚ Jehová Tsidkenu, “El Señor nuestra justicia”.

⮚ Jehová Rochee, “El Señor nuestro pastor.”

⮚ El Elyon, “Dios Altísimo”. El Gibhor, “El Dios Todopoderoso”.

⮚ Jehová, Yahvé: “Todo lo que soy, lo soy para vosotros”.

⮚ Tu buen nombre es el contenido de tu carácter que proviene de tu relación con Dios.

A. Se puede elegir un buen nombre

⮚ Elegir un buen nombre comienza por elegir honrar y reverenciar a Dios.

⮚ El camino de la vida, el curso que elijas recorrer determina el contenido de tu carácter. Cuando honras a Dios en la forma en que conduces los asuntos de tu vida, Dios te dará un buen nombre.

⮚ Uno de los mejores ejemplos de eso en la Biblia sería Job. Dice de él que era recto, temeroso de Dios y apartado del mal. Como resultado, Dios le dio un nombre que fue honrado y reverenciado por quienes lo rodeaban.

Job 23:11-12, “Mi pie se ha aferrado a su senda; He guardado su camino y no me he desviado. No me he apartado del mandamiento de sus labios; He atesorado las palabras de su boca más que mi alimento necesario”.

⮚ Job se deleitaba en el Todopoderoso, atesoraba la palabra de Dios más que su alimento necesario. Dios edificó en él el constructo de la integridad, de la sabiduría y de la estatura. Eran los postes, las vigas, el acero, las rocas de la fuerza de su integridad y el carácter de su alma. Dios edificó eso en Job porque Job se deleitaba en el Todopoderoso.

⮚ Y el resultado fue algo que todos pudieron ver, y lo honraron. Había elegido un buen nombre. El nombre de Job tenía un significado.

Job 29:7-11, “Cuando salí a la puerta de la ciudad, cuando me senté en la plaza; Los jóvenes me vieron y se escondieron, los ancianos se levantaron y se pusieron de pie. Los príncipes dejaron de hablar, la voz de los nobles se silenció, y cuando el oído escuchó, me llamó bienaventurado”.

⮚ Esta es la obra de Dios en el alma cuando Dios construye en ti la construcción de la integridad. Cuando Él derrama sabiduría y estatura en tu vida. Se convierte en los postes, las vigas, el acero, las rocas de la fuerza de tu integridad y el carácter de tu alma. Dios construirá eso cuando te deleites en el Todopoderoso.

⮚ Dios te dará un buen nombre porque elegiste honrar a Dios.

⮚ Ese es el pacto que Dios quiere que hagas con tu alma; que valores lo que Dios está construyendo y que atesores esa hermosa obra en el alma más que tu alimento necesario.

B. El favor de Dios es un gran tesoro

⮚ Vs 1 – “El buen nombre es más deseable que las grandes riquezas, el favor es mejor que la plata y el oro”.

⮚ El favor de Dios es de gran valor, es el mayor tesoro del alma. Puedes confiar en el favor de Dios cuando reverencias Su nombre.

⮚ Las riquezas, sin embargo, son una falsa esperanza en la que no se puede confiar.

Proverbios 18:10-11, El nombre del Señor es una torre fuerte, el justo corre hacia ella y está a salvo… La riqueza de un hombre rico es su ciudad fuerte y como una alta muralla en su propia imaginación.

⮚ Jesús lo describió como “el engaño de las riquezas”, lo que sugiere que las riquezas no cumplirán lo que prometen.

⮚ Muchas personas asumen que las riquezas traerán más seguridad, más satisfacción, más alegría y más satisfacción en la vida. Supuestamente les da propósito y significado; pero también ahoga la Palabra de Dios.

⮚ Jesús dijo que la Palabra de Dios se siembra en diferentes tipos de corazones, como si fueran diferentes tipos de tierras. En un momento dado, Jesús dijo.

Lucas 8:14, “La semilla que cayó entre los espinos, éstos son los que oyeron, y al seguir su camino, se ahogan en las preocupaciones, en las riquezas y en los placeres de esta vida, y no dan fruto a la madurez”.

⮚ Fíjese en el versículo 2: El rico y el pobre tienen un vínculo común, el Señor es el creador de todos ellos.

⮚ En otras palabras, Dios no muestra parcialidad. El rico y el pobre, el Señor es el creador de todos ellos; cada uno está hecho a imagen de Dios; cada uno debe elegir las riquezas de un buen nombre y el favor de Dios.

C. Dios recompensa a los que lo honran

⮚ Vs 4 – La recompensa de la humildad y la reverencia del Señor. Son las riquezas, el honor y la vida.

⮚ Esperar. ¿Las riquezas, el honor y la vida son la recompensa de la humildad y la reverencia al Señor?

⮚ Las riquezas son una falsa esperanza. Leemos en los Salmos que son los que honran a Dios los que son verdaderamente felices, una profunda paz se ha asentado en su alma. Algo hermoso sucede en el alma de aquel que honra a Dios ante todo.

⮚ Los que honran el nombre del Señor no solo son bendecidos en el alma, sino también en la vida. En otras palabras, es una bendición que regresa a ti.

Salmo 112:1, 3-4,9, ¡Cuán bienaventurado es el hombre que reverencia al Señor, que se deleita en gran manera en sus mandamientos… Abundancia y riquezas hay en su casa, y su justicia es para siempre… Él es misericordioso, compasivo y justo… Él da gratuitamente a los pobres; y su cuerno será exaltado en honor.

⮚ Hay quienes buscan la riqueza y las riquezas por encima de todas las cosas; Es su mayor deseo. ¿Por qué? Porque piensan que la riqueza y la riqueza los harán felices. Han perdido el punto por completo.

⮚ Pero la verdadera riqueza de un hombre no se mide por sus posesiones o el valor de sus cuentas financieras, la verdadera riqueza de un hombre se mide por su estatura espiritual y por las riquezas espirituales contenidas en su carácter.

⮚ Te lo puedo demostrar. Si quisieras dejar una posteridad a tus hijos, ¿qué les beneficiaría más: el carácter piadoso o montones de oro y plata? El oro y la plata sin carácter piadoso destruirán a tus hijos. El carácter piadoso les dará un fundamento que cosechará beneficios por el resto de sus vidas.

⮚ Aquel cuya alma está llena de la gloria de Dios y se deleita en la presencia de Dios en su vida ya es espiritualmente rico. Y él tiene el entendimiento correcto de las cosas de esta tierra: no son suficientes para satisfacer el alma.

Salmo 62:10, Si las riquezas aumentan, no pongas tu corazón en ellas.

⮚ Las cosas agradables del mundo son ciertamente agradables. Vivimos en una época de gran abundancia. Salomón en toda su gloria no tenía maíz hervido para microondas, ni Nacho Doritos, ni macchiatos de caramelo.

⮚ Pero las cosas agradables del mundo no son suficientes para satisfacer lo que el alma desea. Deseo más. Mi corazón desea cosas más elevadas; cosas más grandes. Mi alma desea beber del río del deleite de Dios, mi alma está satisfecha por el Pan de Vida. Quiero gloria que venga de Dios.

II. Protege tu buen nombre y huye del mal

⮚ El prudente ve el mal y se esconde, pero los ingenuos siguen adelante y son castigados por ello.

⮚ El mal destruirá tu buen nombre.

⮚ Lo que tarda años en construirse puede destruirse en cuestión de minutos… De una decisión insensata.

A. El prudente puede discernir el mal

⮚ El prudente ve y discierne, y por sabiduría puede predecir el resultado del mal, por lo que se esconde.

⮚ Los ingenuos, los simples, no disciernen, no pueden ver el peligro. No pueden predecir el resultado y corren directamente hacia el mal.

⮚ Vs. 5 – Espinas y lazos están en el camino de los perversos; El que se guarda a sí mismo estará lejos de ellos.

⮚ Vs. 8 – El que siembra iniquidad, vanidad segará.

Proverbios 14:15-16, El hombre prudente considera sus pasos. El sabio es cauteloso y se aparta del mal, pero el necio es arrogante y descuidado.

⮚ La palabra ‘cauteloso’ en hebreo es en realidad la palabra ‘temor’. Un hombre sabio teme al mal.

⮚ ¿Realmente? ¿Un hombre sabio tiene miedo? De esto, él es. Porque un hombre sabio conoce el poder, el poder destructivo, del mal, y se mantiene alejado de la cosa.

⮚ Esa cosa te destruirá. Esa cosa te consumirá. El hombre sabio conoce el poder destructivo del mal porque es sabio. Él tiene perspicacia para ver. Él sabe lo que el soberbio y el necio no saben.

⮚ El tonto es arrogante y descuidado, no le importa. Camina con valentía donde los ángeles temen pisar.

⮚ ¿Por qué tan descuidado? Porque su arrogancia lo ciega. Él no ve el poder destructivo del mal, que te destruirá a ti. Esta cosa te consumirá; Esta cosa drenará tu vida espiritual; Te reducirá a una hogaza de pan. ¿No tienes miedo de eso? Deberías estarlo.

⮚ No se puede jugar con él. No se puede jugar con el mal, y un hombre sabio lo sabe. No andará por los campos del enemigo; Él caminará por la senda de los justos. Un hombre sabio es cauteloso y perspicaz y huye del mal.

B. Enséñales esto a tus hijos

Proverbios 22:6 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Instruye al niño en el camino que debe andar, y aun cuando sea viejo no se apartará de él.

⮚ Este versículo se cita a menudo, pero es importante verlo en su contexto. Si amas a tu hijo, entonces enséñalo a elegir un buen nombre; saber que el buen nombre es más deseado que las grandes riquezas, que el favor de Dios es más valioso que la plata y el oro.

⮚ Entrene a su hijo para que sepa que no se puede jugar con el mal; que el que es prudente tiene el discernimiento para ver el mal y se esconde de él.

⮚ Vs 11 – El que ama la pureza de corazón y cuyo habla es amable, el rey es su amigo.

⮚ ¡Qué gran final para el mensaje! los que eligen un buen nombre más que las grandes riquezas, aman la pureza de corazón, y el Rey de toda la tierra es tu amigo.

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