“Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth …?”(Prov 22:20-21, NKJ)
Different Bible translations express the first part of this verse, “excellent things”, in various ways. Some translations, interestingly, say “thirty sayings” or even “three manner of ways” (DRB). The Message calls it “thirty sterling principles – tested guidelines to live by”. From here comes the fitting title of this series.
“Excellent things” has a number of meanings in the original Hebrew. It can mean 3 or 30 (or the ongoing multiplication thereof, as in 300 or 3000), or even “prince or general of the third rank” (in other words, the one with the highest authority).
While re-reading Oswald Chambers’ timeless daily devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, I received an instruction from the Lord to write a similar end-time book which would present specific revelations, or “excellent things”, to the reader in a concise manner. These “tested guidelines to live by” must focus on enabling the reader to live in spiritual maturity and authority and thus, by means of the “sterling principles”, become a prince or general of the third rank (i.e. the highest office).
In Scripture, the number thirty indicates spiritual maturity. Jesus began His ministry at thirty years of age, as did David and Joseph. Spiritual maturity means that you have begun to live in the third dimension (more on this later).
Spiritual maturity means that you are no longer a spiritual child (John 1:12), but that you have become a son (Rom 8:14). “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards.” (Gal 4:1-2). When you move in the full delegated authority of the Father, that is the time of spiritual maturity.
I pray that this journey of excellent truths will accompany you to know Christ, the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24), and the power of His resurrection in the third day (Phil 3:10; Hos 6:2).
- Sela: Think and pray about what the characteristics are of a spiritually mature person. Try to determine with the help of the Holy Spirit where you stand in terms of your spiritual walk and authority.
- Read: Gen 1; Ps 1; John 1
- Memorise: John 1:4,12-13
