A Lasting Legacy

“After the bare requisites to living and reproducing, man wants most to leave some record of himself, a proof, perhaps, that he has really existed. He leaves his proof on wood, on stone or on the lives of other people. This deep desire exists in everyone, from the boy who writes dirty words in a public toilet to the Buddha who etches his image in the race mind. ” - John Steinbeck, Pastures of Heaven

“After the bare requisites to living and reproducing, man wants most to leave some record of himself, a proof, perhaps, that he has really existed. He leaves his proof on wood, on stone or on the lives of other people. This deep desire exists in everyone, from the boy who writes dirty words in a public toilet to the Buddha who etches his image in the race mind. Life is so unreal. I think that we seriously doubt that we exist and go about trying to prove that we do.”

I. Seize the opportunity for a lasting legacy

remembrance = the recollection, memory, or reflection of one now gone, e.g. “fame after death”

Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary 10:7

The word ‘memory,’ as we might expect, describes the mental act of recollection. It is also used to describe specific acts taken so as to remember someone or some thing. This word and the one for ‘name’ are often found as synonyms.

The ‘memory’ of the righteous is their fame, renown or legacy.

Old Testament Theology Canonical Synthesis: The Relationship between Righteousness and Blessing

It must be remembered that proverb does not mean “absolute promise” in every specific context. A proverb is a comparison that teaches principles and expected outcomes in life.

A lasting legacy comes through righteousness

The quality that brings about the blessing is the “righteous”.

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Righteousness

One basic ingredient in the OT idea of righteousness is relationship, both between God and man (Ps. 50:6; Je. 9:24) and between man and man (Dt. 24:13; Je. 22:3).

The OT idea of righteousness centered less or character and more on commitment, e.g. fidelity to God and the covenant relationship.

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Righteousness

righteousness implies a correct relationship to the will of God which was particularly expressed and interpreted by Israel’s covenant with God.

Both the righteous and the wicked were fallible beings, but the righteous had the pleasure of God at the forefront of their purpose.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Righteousness

The person who was devoted to the service of God in worship and life was called righteous (cf. Mal 3:18). Thus, righteousness is a state of integrity in relation to God and one’s fellowman, expressing itself in one’s acts and speech.

The opportunity to establish a lasting legacy, for the positive, comes out of one’s love for God.

Exodus 20:4–6 HCSB

Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands.

Exodus

Righteousness, and the ensuing legacy, only come through Jesus Christ

Righteousness, and the ensuing legacy, only come through Jesus Christ

Three ways to leave a legacy -

Three ways to leave a legacy -

1. set a consistent example

2. Achieve a great feat

3. Accomplish something that has lasting effect

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Righteousness

By faith in Jesus Christ and his work of atonement man, unrighteous sinner though he is, receives God’s righteousness, i.e. he is given a true relationship with God which involves the forgiveness of all sin and a new moral standing with God in union with Christ ‘the Righteous One’ (Rom. 3:21–31; 4:1–25; 10:3; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9).

Romans 3:21–26 HCSB

But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed —attested by the Law and the Prophets —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.

Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary 10:7

Such is the advantage of the one who will set his eyes upon the ‘righteous’ and discern a likeness to God. What incentive, therefore, to live righteously! We can leave a legacy of lasting influence simply by living our lives in sacrificial service to God.

We are declared righteous by the Father through Jesus Christ, grow in righteousness through the Holy Spirit, and one day will be wholly righteous in the fulfillment of the kingdom.

We live in a way that is consistent with our relationship with God, that is Jesus Christ, submitted to Him as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary 10:7

Such is the advantage of the one who will set his eyes upon the ‘righteous’ and discern a likeness to God. What incentive, therefore, to live righteously! We can leave a legacy of lasting influence simply by living our lives in sacrificial service to God.

II. Set aside the fear of a wasted legacy

II. Set aside the fear of a wasted legacy

name = “fame, known, reputation, i.e., information that one knows about another, implied to give high status to the one of renown “

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary 10:7

The wicked will simply disappear off the scene of human events and slip from the thoughts of all those who remain. When they do come to mind, their name will be the stench of death to those who recall them. Having lived to promote self in this life, their identity will slip into obscurity and all they worked for will be lost eternally.

It was a curse to have no one remember your name

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 10

It was considered a curse to have no one remember you (Ex 17:14) or to fail to pass down your name to the next generation (Ps 109:13; cp. Ps 45:17).

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 10

It was considered a curse to have no one remember you (Ex 17:14) or to fail to pass down your name to the next generation (Ps 109:13; cp. Ps 45:17).

We can set aside the fear of the curse of a forgotten name - ours is an inheritance that rests in His righteousness

Psalm 37:5–7 HCSB

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.

Psalm 37:5–6 HCSB

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.