“A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Proverbs 22:1 NIV
“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.”
Proverbs 22:1 NAS
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
Proverbs 22:1 KJV
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver and gold.”
Proverbs 22:1 ESV
As I read the different translations “chosen” and “favor” begin to feel like things that come from God and they are not things that are decided by man.
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ ”
Matthew 3:13-17 NIV
Before the start of Jesus’ ministry, He is affirmed by God. He is chosen and favored by God.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals- one on his right, the other on the left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’
But the other criminal rebuked him, ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’
Then he said, ‘Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.’
Jesus answered, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
Luke 23:32-43 NIV
Jesus is celebrated while He heals and performs miracles. He is rejected and they plot to kill him. While He is on the cross, while He is being ridiculed, beaten, and humiliated, He is still the Messiah and offering salvation. He shows us that who He is, is affirmed by God and it is the character He displays to the world. Our values and our character are given by God; it is intrinsic and we display them to the world.
