Worldly "wisdom" teaches that might makes right. In this final chapter of Solomon's proverbs, we are reminded that only the righteous will endure forever. God's promised justice brings His children comfort, even, maybe most especially, when they suffer for righteousness, as Jesus did.

What are the benefits of being God's child? Here, Paul begins a chapters-long discussion of our relationship with God as His children. It begins in this chapter by reminding us of God's faithfulness to all generations. The same loving care of the Heavenly Father that God's people have always known is ours in Christ Jesus.

When nations, businesses and even the Church are governed by those who are primarily concerned with power, or selfish aims, the whole organization suffers. The anitdote to human pride and selfishness is the wisdom of God, putting the other first, to serve the common good. May God grant us so to do!

We hear an encouragement to walk in the Lord's wisdom and to surround ourselves with good and faithful friends. When we do, we need not praise ourselves, because good and faithful people are praised as a blessing by others. How much more satisfying this is, to be praised by others, than to fall into the trap of self-promotion that is all too common in the world today.

In the middle of a heated debate, Paul proclaims one of his most confident assertions of faith. "I am crucified with Christ! It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!" The faith that we have is the gift of Christ's righteousness as our own. This great exchange-God's righteousness for human sinfulness, is the basis of our salvation.

Many of the proverbs in this section are repeats or tweaks of earlier proverbs. Often times in ancient and Biblical literature, important parts are repeated towards the end of books, psalms and songs, so that we don't miss the most important parts.

Jesus uses one of the proverbs in this chapter a number of times in His earthly ministry. St. Paul also quotes another in Romans. The fact that both Jesus and St. Paul revered these words as God's unchanging truth, gives us great confidence as we seek and follow the Lord in faith.

Paul's spiritual children in the faith were being attacked by a group who were teaching that the work of salvation wasn't completed by Jesus. Paul takes to task those who were teaching that Christians had to accept portions of the Old Testament law to be "true" Christians. He begins his epistle on the offensive by correcting the false assertions of these false teachers. 

We live in a world full of people intent on blaming everyone else for what's wrong in the world, and even what they don't like about themselves. As God's chosen and redeemed people, we pay attention first and foremost to ourselves. We will seek the Lord and His way, even when our way is dark and dreary.

We live in a world without discipline. Everyone is engouraged to indulge every desire and seek happiness as the goal of life. Proverbs teaches that a little discipline goes a long way if we want to live a truly successful life.