A fool despises his father's discipline,
but whoever heeds rebuke shows prudence.
- Proverbs 15:5
Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise,
and set him over the land of Egypt.
- Genesis 41:33
When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.
- Roy Disney
In this post I will share some of my thoughts about prudence.
The Greek word for it is phronésis, literally translated to English as "practical wisdom, insight, and understanding."
A person who possesses prudence is said to have a
Christ-enlightened perspective giving him the insight to make intelligent life-applications in the will of God. (HELPS Word Studies)
What a beautiful character quality prudence is!
It connotes careful discernment, the avoidance of rash behavior, refined speech and manners.
A prudent man or woman shows tact and wisdom in their relationships.
There is a definite link between prudence and wisdom.
BibleGateway lists the following characteristics under prudence:
discernment
foresight and caution
wise use of knowledge
wise speech
a teachable spirit
It cannot be denied that this character quality is a valuable one to instill in the heart of every young person today.
An example of prudence in the Bible is Joseph, the son of Isaac, unjustly sold as a slave, and later on unjustly imprisoned for a crime against Potiphar's wife which he did not commit.
The Bible tells us that this young man found favor wherever he went. First he found favor in the eyes of Potiphar (Genesis 39:4), and later on, after he was imprisoned, with the prison warden (Genesis 39:21).
The LORD was with him;
He showed him kindness and granted him favor
in the eyes of the prison warden.
- Genesis 39:21
Later, as we read of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream about the coming famine in the land of Egypt, he also found favor with Pharaoh.
At Joseph's suggestion, that the king look for a "discerning and wise man" to prepare the land for famine, it was Joseph himself who was chosen for the position.
How Joseph rose to becoming Pharaoh's deputy after spending years in prison is a story worth re-telling.
The prison did not harden Joseph's heart, nor did it embitter him. Rather it softened his heart and prepared him for the crucial job that God had planned for him.
It never fails to touch my heart whenever I think of Joseph.
He is an example of prudence, discernment, and discretion.
He did not demand that things go his way when life turned out to be so unfair. Rather he was willing to wait for God's perfect time of favor and vindication, and the ending of this story is one that fills my heart with hope.
Face to face with his brothers who had done him a great injustice, he extended to them royal pardon, saying,
But as for you, you meant evil against me;
but God meant it for good,
in order to bring it about as it is this day,
to save many people alive.
- Genesis 50:20
Thus I would like to refer to this Genesis passage as a perfect definition of prudence, or "50:20 vision." It is the understanding that when things do not go our way, God has a hidden plan behind it all, God means it for good.
(Illustration from a Bible card published 1907
by the Providence Lithograph Company)
Some people think espousing this point of view belittles the pain that we all go through in this journey called life. But Joseph's example proves that it is not so. When we say that God means it for good when evil circumstances touch our lives, it simply means that we know God holds our lives in His hands.
That is the only way by which we can walk in prudence... in humility.
The life of Joseph shows us prudence at work in the midst of adverse circumstances.
As my granddaughter Olivia turns nine months old today, I bless her with the blessings of prudence.
I speak prudence over you today, my dear Peaceful One,
May you grow up to be a young woman filled with grace and flexibility, knowing when to speak, and when to be quiet.
You will not have to wait until you are old before you acquire this precious character quality.
I pray that you will be a quiet observer of everything that is going on around you, and learn to prudently keep your knowledge to yourself, never flaunting it, or speaking out of turn.
You will be what the Word of God says in James 1:19, one who is quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
You will be what the Word of God says in James 1:19, one who is quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
I decree and declare that you will be like Joseph, a young man who knew how to respond in the midst of life's unfair treatment.
May you be a sure recipient of favor with God and with men.
You will display practical wisdom as you grow up, knowing how to make Godly decisions, therefore you will not have to regret the decisions you make.
I decree and declare that you will honor God and you will honor your parents by your prudent choices.
You will have an obedient, teachable heart, which is the fertile ground on which the seeds of prudence grow.
This is my blessings for you on this special day, my dear precious munchkin...
Love always,
Nana
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2 comments:
First of all...Your granddaughter is absolutely beautiful!
I am greatly encouraged after reading this lesson on being prudent, not because I have that quality, but because I see how much I need to have that quality!
I have been sensing (from our Father) that this is exactly what I have been lacking when I seek to learn of and share His Word with others.
Thank you, dear Lidia, for sharing this wisdom from our Lord!
Blessings and love to you. ~Lisa~
What a beautiful prayer for prudence to such a beautiful grandchild! I always ask the Lord to always remind me to pray for my own child. I wonder how many household nowadays are wary of the much needed prayer for our children especially at these trying times? Your heart is a great example of that discernment, truly an awesome gift from the Lord. It is vital for us, His children to have prudence and keep it alive wherever we go. Sending you hugs and prayers sister. Praying all is well with you. I'm currently enjoying more time with my family now that my resignation from work is imminent. So much reflection about what truly matters in this short journey. God bless.
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