![images (10).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRVNSNw6hE3LGTjr3mpBz2TtCXz3dXwUP6t6Bt55RgovZ/images%20(10).jpg)

*THE MEMORY OF THE JUST*



The Bible is a book which contains words which must be properly interpreted in the light of the intent of what is written to understand what is being said. Bible interpretation is a major issue as it can lead to divisions and contentions when it is not properly done. A truth removed makes the whole a lie thus the words in the Bible must be explained in the light of and within the context of the scriptures.

Most times believers revert to concluding that the words in the Bible are "sacred" and so can have diverse meanings all based on how the "man of God" wants to say for that day or "as the spirit leads". Too many times have I laughed at this such statements because they actually sound unintelligent. For starters all words that were used in scriptures did not start existing from the very day they were used in writing, they had meanings before they ever entered the scrolls of sacred writings. 

If they had meanings naturally then their meanings would not suddenly change because they were used in writing scriptures. Now when things like these are said, questions like "but I thought those writings are sacred?" pop up.

Yes they are sacred. Infact *2 Timothy 3:15-16* refers to the scriptures as being holy and even concludes that they were given by inspiration of God. See:

*15.  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.*

*16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:*

Yes the scriptures are sacred because the writers were inspired by God to write what they wrote!

Now I don't like principles, but whether we like it or not there are three basic principles that must define a proper Bible study.

1. Is it written? - of course whatever you want to study must been written at least once in the Bible for it to be worth studying at all.

2. How many times was it mentioned? - yes how many times? Doctrine can not be built from a single mention.

3. Is it emphatically discussed? - some times some things are not mentioned more than once but can be extensively explained in one chapter. For example Tongues and interpretation as seen in *1 Corinthians 14.*

Having known all this, it is also important to note that words on their own can only have variable probabilities as to what they mean. A word can only find it's meaning when used in a sentence, therefore we only know the meaning of words by looking at the context of the sentence in which it is used.

Now back to our Original text:

*Proverbs 10:7 _The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot._*

Now many have explained this scriptures to mean that the "brain" of the just is blessed. Infact many times have I used the particular verse to pray for example success in the past. Lol.

Now according to the already given principles I stated earlier, it's in the Bible so it's worth studying. Now let's see how many times the word "memory" was used in scriptures. You'd be amazed to know that it was only used 6 times in both the old and new Testament. Let's see them:

*Psa 109:15* _Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth._

*Psa 145:7* _They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness._

*Pro 10:7* _The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot._

*Ecc 9:5* _For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten._

*Isa 26:14* _They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish._

*1Co 15:2* _By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain._

Now I want you to note how the word was used in all of these texts. 

It was used only to communicate a kind of remembrance, a reminder, a commemoration, a memory!

See? no indication of the brain or mind(as used in scriptures)

So saying that the brain of the just is blessed as a result of that verse is wrong. But is the memory(remembrance) of the just blessed? yes! How then? 

Do you remember Arc Bishop Benson Idahosa of blessed memory? Of course you do

How about the memory of Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin, that's a blessed memory too right?

So you see Proverbs 10:7 was used to describe the blessedness of the memory of saints.

Hope it's clear enough?