Yesterday we discussed a prosperity which is attained by wisdom and insight into the secrets of God. Such prosperity can only be obtained with a pure and devout heart. Let us look at a Psalm to see how clearly this is taught in the OT.
Ps 1:1-3 [NASB95]
1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
To sum up, in the OT, the notion of prosperity was mostly about the grace or goodness of God to one who showed obedience unto His Law and wisdom concerning His ways in his/her heart. God changes the heart of a man into understanding and thankfulness when He chooses to prosper him, as He did in Jacob’s case (mentioned a few days ago).
Disobedience will deprive us of the blessings of the Lord, and eventually ends with our own destruction. However, the notion of blessings or prosperity in the OT seldom surpassed this earthly life. The concern was mainly about what happens to us in this lifespan. This was as it should be, for the Kingdom of God and thus eternal life, had not been revealed and granted till Christ Jesus was given. In this sense the idea of prosperity takes on a whole new dimension through Jesus.
We’ll look at this tomorrow.
Photo credit: allybeag