“A good name is more desirable than great riches;

     to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

 

Betsy opened this one with a brief explanation of Caleb. He was a spy sent with 11 others to get intel on Canaan, Numbers 13.  Moses wanted it explored to see what they will be faced with before they make it their home.  Most of the spies’ report said that it was a no-go, verses 26-33.  Caleb, however, gave this report in verse 30, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”  Because of his favorable response and that of Joshua’s in Numbers 14:6, God showed them favor by allowing them to enter the land they had spied on.  While the naysayers, along with those who should have known better, will die in the wilderness, Numbers 14:26-35.

 

Finding an Old Testament example of one who had great riches but not a good name seemed easy.  There were plenty of examples for both Israel and Judah had a number of wicked kings.  Hezekiah, king of Judah, however, did not start out that way, 2 Kings 18:3.  Perhaps it was the security of his great riches that led him to foolishness in 20:12-15.  For he showed all of them to a sympathetic ear during his time of sickness, who also happened to be the king of Babylon.  The prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah that because he did that, all of his treasures will be taken by Babylon and some of his descendants will become their eunuchs, verses 17-18.  Instead of repenting and pursuing a good name, King Hezekiah said in 20:19, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not good, if [at least] there will be peace and security in my lifetime?” AMP

 

The question I then asked my kids of “Where’s Jesus?” brought complete fulfillment to this proverb.  For though the best we can gain of ourselves is a good name and even great riches, Philippians 2:9-11 says,

 

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”

 

We can gain His ‘Name above every other name’ in our lives by our faith in Him as Lord, John 3:16-21.  If we call on His Name we are saved and included in His Kingdom, Romans 10:13.  We will not be left to die in the wilderness of this life.  Call on His Name, His ear will not betray us, 1 Peter 5:7.  If we repent and believe in Jesus, our old life is gone and we are made new, 2 Corinthians 5:17.  We are even given new names, Revelation 2:17.  The riches in Jesus are boundless and unfathomable, Ephesians 3:8, they won’t ever perish, spoil or fade, Matthew 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:4.

 

‘Peace and security’ in this life are not to be found here, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, but only in His courts gained for us by Jesus.