“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.”—Proverbs 10:7.
Interpretation.—The comparison seems to be with two trees—the one remaining fresh and green, while the other becomes worm-eaten and decayed. How pleasant and fragrant is the first! How offensive and repellant the second!
Illustrations.—Fragrant is the good report of the elders enumerated by St. Paul (Heb. 11). Blessed the memory of the godly parent, the “excellent woman” (Prov. 31:28); of the righteous king, such as Josiah for whom all Israel mourned (2 Chron. 35:24); of the public benefactor such as Jehoiada (2 Chron. 24:16); of the self-denying Christian whose deed of love to the Lord is immortalized in the Gospel; of the charitable Dorcas and centurion, whose acts of beneficence drew forth the gratitude of their contemporaries, and still are held up for imitation. On the other hand, how have the names of Cain, of Absalom, of Judas, been execrated by all mankind! How lasting the stigma attached to the name Jeroboam! How very far from fragrant are the associations with the memory of such wicked people as Balaam, Jezebel and Ahab, Haman, Ananias and his wife, Simon Magus!
Application.—A good name among men is one of the excellent gifts of God. But it is not bestowed upon the unworthy. All men desire it (do not I myself?), and out of this natural craving a motive springs, not strong enough indeed to make a bad man good, but yet to diminish the force of wickedness. Who would not rather be remembered than forgotten, be well spoken of than ill, after death? But if I live an aimless, useless life, what should hinder my name being at once consigned to oblivion? If I do mischief in my time, and live wickedly, shall I not be remembered with scorn? Only if I live to God, and do real good in my generation, can I hope that my memory will be blessed. Yea, purer blessings will come upon me than while I lived, for malice and calumny will touch me no more. Christ’s “name is as ointment poured forth,” and those who are in Him partake of its fragrance. God cannot but delight in “the beauty of holiness,” in Him who is “fairer than the sons of men,” in all who are in Him. So, then, it rests not with man to embalm the reputation of the true Christian. God will take care that his name be “had in everlasting remembrance.” And yet—such is free will—I may choose whether I will be remembered to my praise or shame.
Help me, O my God, to make the better choice!
Pearson, C. R. (1880). Counsels of the Wise King; or, Proverbs of Solomon Applied to Daily Life (Vol. 1, p. 40). W. Skeffington & Son. (Public Domain)
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