Proverbs 10:7
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The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
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David wept painfully, when Jonathan died (II Sam 1:17-27); for he remembered their wonderful friendship as exceeding the love of women (I Sam 18:1-4; 23:16). Dorcas was well remembered by many widows for her good works and much charity (Acts 9:36-42).
We remember Joseph as gloriously virtuous, Potiphar's wife as an evil whore. We remember Tamar as a prudent virgin, Amnon as a profane dog. We remember Paul as the greatest apostle, Demas as a weak loser. We remember Elijah and John as zealous heroes, Pilate and Agrippa as compromisers. We remember Abraham as faithful, Lot as worldly. We remember Daniel the eunuch as strong, and strong Samson as weak.
Dear reader, how will you be remembered? This matter is important, for it reflects much on how you have used God's gift - your life. Consider the opening questions carefully.
The wicked are not remembered, though they name lands after themselves and dream of a great legacy (Psalm 49:6-14). The Lord will obliterate their memory from the earth (Job 18:5-21; 27:11-23; Ps 9:5-6), as He did Judas Iscariot's family (Ps 109:6-20). Don't envy or fret about them! Don't let enemies bother you! The name of the wicked will rot into oblivion. Their lives are vanity, for all they have done will be forgotten (Eccl 8:10).
What a difference in funerals! Jehoiada, the high priest who saved the infant Joash, was buried with the kings for his righteousness (II Chron 24:16); but Jehoiakim, truly a king of Judah, was buried with the burial of an ass for his foolish rebellion (Jer 22:19; 36:30). Josiah, who brought revival to Judah, was lamented by Jeremiah and many singers with great lamentation (II Chron 35:24-25); but Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin, had his family taken away like dung without natural deaths or decent burials (I Kings 14:10-11).
Saul, God-forsaken and profane to the end, committed suicide. His head was cut off, his body fastened to a wall and then burned, and his bones buried under a tree (I Sam 31:1-10). David, full of the Holy Ghost, died in bed knowing his Son would reign on God's throne forever and was buried in Jerusalem (II Sam 23:1-5; I Kgs 1:1-4). We remember the one as a jealous and wicked man, the other as the glorious man after God's own heart.
David's name was much set by in Israel, while he was alive (I Sam 18:30). After he died, God compared all other kings to David and blessed them because of David (I Kings 15:3-5). And to this day he is one of the favorite Bible characters of all good men and women.
Dear reader, do you feel your reputation is ruined because of sin? Repent, and do the first works (Rev 2:5). Consider that the man we just described, David, was guilty of aggravated adultery and murdering one of his most loyal friends. But God covers the sins of the truly repentant, and so do all good men. How do you remember Mary Magdalene?
Wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, a woman is remembered for anointing our Lord with precious ointment (Mark 14:3-9). "The memory of the just is blessed." And wherever the gospel is preached, Judas is remembered for betraying our Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Mark 14:10-11). "The name of the wicked shall rot."
And we cannot forget the "Hall of Faith," where the blessed memories of many, some by name and some by exploit, are immortalized in the apostolic chapter of martyrs. It is said of these illustrious heroes of our religion that they obtained a good report by faith (11:2). Will this great cloud of witnesses affect your life? Will you be worthy of their company?
Keeping the second commandment leaves blessed memories (Matt 22:39), for it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Are you a giver or a taker? Jesus set our example as the ultimate Giver (Matt 20:25-28), Whom Paul followed (II Cor 12:15). They served many, and their memories are blessed throughout the world.
A tree of life will be remembered, for they win souls and help others (11:30). Do your lips feed many (10:21)? Is your hearty counsel sweet to your friends (27:9)? Do you sharpen your friends (27:17)? Living and dying without influencing others for the Lord means your life was a waste. There are three kinds of men - those who help others, those who do nothing, and those who harm others. What kind of man (or woman) are you?
Husband and children will praise a virtuous wife and mother, before and after her death (31:28). Solomon wrote kindly of his mother in this very book (4:3). Our Lord honored His mother while He hung on the cross (John 19:25-27); and her memory is blessed perpetually for her holy child and her glorious testimony of salvation (Luke 1:46-55).
If men do not praise or commend you here, Jesus will remember every good work in the great Day of Judgment (Matt 25:31-46; Ps 112:6). "The memory of the just is blessed."
The memory of our living Lord Jesus Christ will be the theme of every song and act of worship through eternity, and the smoke of the torment of the wicked will be the incense!
Cross-references: Proverbs 12:8
What will the epitaph on your cemetery marker say? What will those who attend your funeral think? How many will come? Will there be substantial grief, or subdued relief? Will anyone reflect on your life ten years later? Will your memory be blessed or rotten?
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