Proverbs 10:6,7,  Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Our lesson of last week stressed the importance of building a life upon the permanent in contrast to a life built upon the immediate.

For a life built upon the permanent is a life that operates in the arena of faith, the arena in which God is supreme.

Everything that God values has eternal value and He wishes those values be shared by His children.

And to bring this about God makes a promise to the just.

Now the just are God’s children.

The just are those who have been justified by the blood of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

The just have a particular benefit that the wicked do not, and that benefit concerns blessings from the Father.

What a wonderful promise this is, in which to live life.

To know that God delights to bless his children.

I am reminded of two prominent men of scripture who are examples of where blessings or lack of blessings of God will lead.

These men, Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac, were twins.

Esau was the first born and by the right of first born should have had the blessing of his father Isaac, and all that was to be his, connected with that blessing.

But Jacob and Esau were two very different men for Jacob desired that which was permanent but Esau dwelled on that which provided immediate satisfaction.

We know the story how Jacob went to great lengths to get the blessing from Isaac.

He fed Esau’s desire for the immediate for Esau sold the birthright of first born son, for a mess of pottage and then by deception Jacob received the blessing of the first born son from Isaac.

Esau cared nothing for the birthright.

He cared nothing for the blessing of his father but only desired that which satisfied his immediate hunger.

God knew Esau’s heart before the foundation of the world for remember his words to Rebecca:

Genesis 25:23-24,  And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels (people of the immediate and people of the permanent); and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Rebecca thought God needed help in bringing this about so she was part of the conspiracy with Jacob.

Now it is easy to condemn Esau for being so worldly, for being so immediate minded, for being so careless of the blessing but Christians are not guiltless for Christians also have a birthright.

Are we not born into the family of God where Jesus was declared the first begotten of God, the first born among many brethren?

Are we not heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ?

And like Jacob we are to covet God’s blessings.

We are not to despise the birthright by having little hunger for spiritual food.

We are to dwell in obedience to God’s word in order to live in the channel of the blessings of God.

We are to love God and love God’s care of us though his blessings.

For one of the great delights of God is to bless His children.

God is slow to anger, but swift to show mercy, swift to bless.

God walks very slowly toward his place of wrath, but he runs like the wind to extend his mercy for it is his delight to bless.

The plan of God for man includes God's blessing upon man.

When Jesus Christ, on the cross, spoke his last words, "It is finished" included in that finishing was the putting on the side of the believer every spiritual blessing that God can bestow.

Paul in Ephesians 1:3 wrote,  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

But note this important condition!

You must be in Christ to be blessed with all spiritual blessings!

Jesus Christ said in John 17:17,  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

This means that God the Father sets believers apart for himself and for his service.

But it also means that believers are set apart for his blessing, blessing that is only given to his children.

Sanctify them through thy truth puts a believer into the pipeline of God's spiritual blessings.

The practical outworking of God's word in the life of the believer will bring the believer the blessings of God.

All people of the world receive temporal blessings of God but the blessings that he gives only to those who are sanctified are spiritual blessings.

The world cannot know spiritual blessings because they are spiritually discerned and only a spirit alive unto God can receive the things of God.

They are "in Christ" blessings and can only be known by those in Christ.

Our proverb "Blessings are upon the head of the just:" paints a picture of a just or saved man or woman under a great waterfall with cascades of water pouring over his or her head.

It is the great Niagara of blessings that God wishes to bestow on his children.

This is the picture that God wants impressed on his children for it is his delight to load his children with blessings.

David caught this truth in Psalms 68:19,   Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

Charles Spurgeon pictured this great outpouring of God's blessing when he commented on David's psalm in his Expositions of the Psalms:

Listen to his orchestration of the blessings of God.

Notice the almost musical form of it as he takes us from the quiet beginnings of a great symphony of blessings to the crash of the cymbals and bass drums as the litany of blessings climaxes to its end.

Spurgeon writes: "Where shall we begin to survey this vast load of mercies? Were it no more that he has given us a world to live in, a life to enjoy, air to breath in, earth to tread on, fire to warm us, water to cool and cleanse us, clothes to cover us. food to nourish us, sleep to refresh us, houses to shelter us, variety of creatures to serve and delight us; here were such a load.

But now, if we add to these, civility of breeding, dearness of friends, competency of estate, degrees of honor, honesty or dignity of vocation, favor of princes, success in employments, domestic comforts, outward peace, good reputation, preservation from dangers, rescue from evils; the load is well mended.

If yet, ye shall come closer, and add due proportion of body, integrity of parts, perfection of senses, strength of nature, sufficiency of appetite, vigor of digestion, wholesome temper of seasons, freedom from cares; this course seems to heighten it yet more.

If still ye shall add to these, the order, and power, and exercise of our inward faculties, enriched with wisdom, art, learning, experience, expressed by an not un-handsome elocution, and shall now lay all these together that concern estate, body, mind; how can the axle tree of the soul but crack under the load of these favors?

But if from what God hath done for us as men, we look to what he hath done for us as Christians; that he hath embraced us with an everlasting love, that he hath molded us anew, enlivened us by his Spirit, fed us by his word and sacraments, clothed us with his merits, bought us with his blood, becoming vile to make us glorious, a curse, to invest us with blessedness; in a word, that he hath given himself to us, his Son for us; Oh the height, and depth, and breadth of the rich mercies of our God! Oh the boundless, topless, bottomless, load of divine benefits, whose immensity reaches from the center of this earth, to the unlimited extent of the very empyreal (em-pi-re-al) heavens!"

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he hath done for the children of men." Joseph Hall (1574-1656)

All that Spurgeon wrote is wrapped up by the Apostle Paul in:

1 Corinthians. 2:9,10,  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

And do these spiritual blessings come upon the head of the just from a God who is eccentric or fickle?

Does he just toss out blessings impulsively or indiscriminately?

Or do the spiritual blessings conform to a pattern or plan?

Early on in his word this plan was given to the children of Israel.

God's plan tells us that blessings are directly tied to obedience.

The valve of obedience must be opened for God's blessings to flow.

Isn't this what Deuteronomy 28:1-6 confirms?

It is God's delight to bless and his blessings flow by obedience to his word.

This is not a threat of God to obey or else but a promise of God.

His word is such that by obedience to it blessings automatically come.

Blessings do not come by disobedience to his word.

God's creation follows his word.

His order is such that we must function his way if we are to be happy in his order.

And in order to best live in his creation we too must follow his order.

We as well as all of his creation must conform to his commandments and as his creation is blessed by obedience to his commandments we also are blessed by obedience to his commandments.

Anyone outside of God's economy, those who do not trust his Son, the word of God, will suffer all loss.

There are no spiritual blessings to those who do not obey God's word for spiritual blessings flow from obedience.

Blessings are upon the head of the just and the head of the just will open his mouth in praise and thanksgiving to the giver of benefits.

He will not only open his mouth but he will open his mouth wide for he knows that God delights in children who desire his benefits.

Hasn’t he told us this in Psalm 81:10,  I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Yes, Blessings are upon the head of the just: but our proverb tells us also that violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

The mouth of the wicked cannot open wide nor can it praise God because he withholds himself from the blessings of God.

His own unbelief keeps his mouth shut from the blessings that flow freely to those who will believe.

He shuts himself off from any spiritual blessings because he refuses God given life that will open the door of heaven's blessings to him.

He refuses to obey God and therefore he puts himself at odds with all that God has that will bring blessings.

And then we are told:  The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Even the memory of the just is blessed because his life was filled with the blessings of God.

This is what will be remembered about the just.

Not the greatness of the just, but the greatness of the blessings of God upon the just.

But the wicked have no blessings of God to be remembered and therefore the name of the wicked shall rot.

But the blessings of God upon the just are to be remembered!

Christians have a birthright and that birthright allows us to enter into the blessings of our Father.

But, like Esau, we can value those blessings little and sacrifice our birthright.

We can have our mouth open wide to the things of this world but barely cracked to the things of God’s domain.

Jesus told of the value of our birthright when he compared the losing of a soul to the gaining of the whole world.

That birthright can be fully realized by hungering and thirsting after righteousness, by loving God with all your heart and soul and obeying God’s word, for simply by obedience entrance into the blessings of God is gained.

If you do not have this birthright, the right to share in all spiritual blessings, you should know that God wants to give your soul an eternal birthright.

It is a birthright that cost Him the death of His Son.

He wants you to appreciate the value of what He offers.

For what profit a man if he gain the whole world but in the doing of such a thing he loses his soul?

Eternity is too long and Heaven is too wonderful to miss for refusing to see what blessings are ever before you.

It is very easy to gain your soul for God has made the way though the blood shed by His Son, Jesus Christ.

The gospel is plain, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

Believing on Jesus Christ demands your hearing the good news, responding to the good news by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior, the Christ, the Lord,.

With this believing comes repentance of sin for only sinners can be saved.

A. J. Hodge wrote the hymn "Have You Counted the Cost", which so clearly shows the competition between the blessings of the world in contrast with the blessings of God.

It asks you to do a cost benefit analysis of those blessings but in so doing you will come to the conclusion that there is no comparison between what the world offers and what God offers.

But I’m afraid most do not count the cost!

Proverbs 10:6,7,  Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

One of the great delights of God is to bless.

God is slow to anger, but swift to show mercy.

God walks very slowly toward his place of wrath, but he runs like the wind to extend his mercy.

It is his delight to bless.

The plan of God for man includes God's blessing upon man.

When Jesus Christ, on the cross, spoke his last words, "It is finished" included in that finishing was the putting on the side of the believer every spiritual blessing that God can bestow.

Paul in Ephesians 1:3 wrote,  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Note! You must be in Christ to be blessed with all spiritual blessings!

Spiritual blessings are restricted to those in Christ.

Jesus Christ said in John 17:17,  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

This means that God the Father sets believers apart for himself and for his service.

But it also means that believers are set apart for his blessing, blessing that is only given to his children.

Sanctify them through thy truth puts a believer into the pipeline of God's spiritual blessing.

Without this sanctification you are not in the pipeline of God's blessing.

The practical outworking of God's word in the life of the believer will bring the believer the blessings of God.

All people of the world receive temporal blessings of God but the blessings that he gives only to those who are sanctified are spiritual blessings.

The world cannot know spiritual blessings because they are spiritually discerned and only a spirit alive unto God can receive the things of God.

They are "in Christ" blessings and can only be known by those in Christ.

Our proverb "Blessings are upon the head of the just:" paints a picture of a just or saved man under a great waterfall with cascades of water pouring over his head.

It is the great Niagara of blessings that God wishes to bestow on his children.

This is the picture that God wants impressed on his children.

It is his delight to load his children with blessings.

David caught this truth in Psalm 68:19,  Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Charles Spurgeon pictured this great outpouring of God's blessing when he commented on David's psalm in his Expositions of the Psalms:

Listen to his orchestration of the blessings of God.

Notice the musical form of it as he takes us from the quiet beginnings of a great symphony of blessings to the crash of the cymbals and bass drums as the litany of blessings climaxes to its end.

"Where shall we begin to survey this vast load of mercies? Were it no more that he has given us a world to live in, a life to enjoy, air to breath in, earth to tread on, fire to warm us, water to cool and cleanse us, clothes to cover us. food to nourish us, sleep to refresh us, houses to shelter us, variety of creatures to serve and delight us; here were such a load.

But now, if we add to these, civility of breeding, dearness of friends, competency of estate, degrees of honor, honesty or dignity of vocation, favor of princes, success in employments, domestic comforts, outward peace, good reputation, preservation from dangers, rescue from evils; the load is well mended.

If yet, ye shall come closer, and add due proportion of body, integrity of parts, perfection of senses, strength of nature, sufficiency of appetite, vigour of digestion, wholesome temper of seasons, freedom from cares; this course seems to heighten it yet more.

If still ye shall add to these, the order, and power, and excercise of our inward faculties, enriched with wisdom, art, learning, experience, expressed by an not un-handsome elocution, and shall now lay all these together that concern estate, body, mind; how can the axle tree of the soul but crack under the load of these favors?

But if from what God hath done for us as men, we look to what he hath done for us as Christians; that he hath embraced us with an everlasting love, that he hath moulded us anew, enlivened us by his Spirit, fed us by his word and sacraments, clothed us with his merits, bought us with his blood, becoming vile to make us glorious, a curse, to invest us with blessedness; in a word, that he hath given himself to us, his Son for us; Oh the height, and depth, and breadth of the rich mercies of our God! Oh the boundless, topless, bottomless, load of divine benefits, whose immensity reaches from the center of this earth, to the unlimited extent of the very empyreal (em-pi-re-al) heavens!" Charles Spurgeon

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he hath done for the children of men." Joseph Hall (1574-1656)

All that Spurgeon wrote is wrapped up by the Apostle Paul in:

1 Corinthians 2:9,10,  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

And do these spiritual blessings come upon the head of the just from a God who is eccentric or fickle?

Does he just toss out blessings impulsively or indiscriminately?

Or do the spiritual blessings conform to a pattern or plan?

Early on in his word this plan was given to the children of Israel.

God's plan tells us that blessings are directly tied to obedience.

The valve of obedience must be opened for God's blessings to flow.

Isn't this what Deuteronomy 28:1-6 confirms?

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

It is God's delight to bless and his blessings flow only by obedience to his word.

This is not a threat of God to obey or else but a promise of God. His word is such that by obedience to it blessings automatically come.

Blessings do not come by disobedience to his word.

God's creation follows his word.

His order is such that we must function his way if we are to be happy in his order.

And in order to best live in his creation we too must follow his order.

We as well as all of his creation must conform to his commandments and as his creation is blessed by obedience to his commandments we also are blessed by obedience to his commandments.

Anyone outside of God's economy, those who do not trust his Son, the word of God, will suffer all loss.

There are no spiritual blessings to those who do not obey God's word.

Blessings are upon the head of the just and the head of the just will open his mouth in praise and thankgiving to the giver of benefits.

But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

The mouth of the wicked cannot praise God because he withholds himself from the blessings of God.

His own unbelief keeps his mouth shut from the blessings that flow freely to those who will believe.

He shuts himself off from any spiritual blessings because he refuses God given life that will open the door of heaven's blessings to him.

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Even the memory of the just is blessed because his life was filled with the blessings of God.

This is what will be remembered about the just.

Not the greatness of the just but the greatness of the blessings of God upon the just.

But the wicked have no blessings of God to be remembered and therefore the name of the wicked shall rot.

Only the blessings of God upon the just are to be remembered!

Proverbs 10:22,  The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

This verse reminds us that the things of God are higher than the things of this world.

The things that we cannot see dwell on a higher plane than the things that we can see.

The world has plenty of blessings to offer.

But there is always a down-side to the blessings of the world.

We always hear the phrase, "You have to pay your dues."

In other words there is a price to pay for the blessings of the world.

We do not know how to use the blessings of the world without receiving the sorrows that are a natural consequence of misused blessings.

Money is nice to have, but how do we use money in the most responsible way?

How do we use it without getting into trouble with it.

How do we use it without it bringing sorrow to our families?

Foods are a blessing to us but they can harm us greatly and bring much sorrow when eaten without discipline.

Uncontrolled appetites can bring much sorrow.

Wine and whiskey may bring temporary happiness and gaiety, and promote laughter but this blessing is so costly and can bring much sorrow that we must totally abstain from its use if we care at all about our testimony before the Lord and before men.

Watching certain entertainments may bless momentarily, but what about the certain down-side of letting our eyes gaze upon such things.

Can we stand the nagging of our conscience and the effect on our testimony?

What about the blessings of fame.

Ask Michael Jordan, the famous athlete, about that.

Does fame come without sorrow?

No, fame on this earth comes with a price, a price not even considered by those who pursue her.

His fame may have cost the life of his father.

But this verse tells us that the blessing of the Lord maketh rich and it does not come with sorrow.

Solomon tells us that when the Lord gives blessing it does not include sorrow.

Sorry, sorrow is not added to the blessing of the Lord. None, Nothing, Zilch! Zed, Zero, Cypher!

What is the down-side of salvation?

Where is the sorrow in eternal life?

What is the down-side of heaven?

What is the negative side of Wisdom and Grace?

If the Spirit gives you more of the fruit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, will it make you sad?

Will it bring sorrow to your heart?

Do we say, Oh, I have too much peace, it makes me miserable.

This eternal life sure is long.

It will make me sad. No, there is no sorrow with the blessing of the Lord.