THIRTY SAYINGS OF THE WISE
SAYING NUMBER SIX
“Do
you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will
not serve before officials of low rank.” (Proverbs 22:29, NIV)
Derek
Kidner notes: "Anyone who puts his workmanship before his prospects towers
above the thrusters and climbers of the adjacent paragraphs" (Proverbs,
p. 150)." [1]
Quite
clearly the Wiseman suggests that the person "skilled" in his work
will have the honor of serving kings. "The implied
exhortation is that one should never be careless about the quality of one’s work."[2]
The man or woman that seeks excellence will themselves be recognized for that
excellence. When we think of Biblical
characters such as Joseph and Daniel, we note that even under arduous
circumstances they served well, with distinction, and were recognized by the
rulers of their country.
"Do
your work well and live well, and you will have the king as your employer, a
coveted association . . . One advances through competence and integrity, not
cunning or careerism."[3]
How
much more does this apply to the Christian, serving his or her Lord in the
Kingdom of God. Christ Himself, in our
place, served with distinction and was exalted at the right hand of God. Philippians 2:8–9 (NIV) records these words:"8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name."
Christ
as our Substitute welcomes the notion that we too share in His victory.
Certainly not as He, the Anointed One does, but in a similar sense. “Here is a
trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we
endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2
Timothy 2:11–13, NIV).
As Believers and followers of the Lord
Jesus, let us work hard and diligently.
Let us serve with excellence. We will serve before the King of kings and
the Lord of lords.
[1] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis
CD-ROM:Proverbs/Exposition of Proverbs/IV. The Sayings of the Wise
(22:17-24:34)/A. Thirty Precepts of the Sages (22:17-24:22), Book Version:
4.0.2
[2] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The
ESV Study Bible (p. 1173). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[3] Koptak, P. E. (2003). Proverbs
(p. 536). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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