Sunday, October 10, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 13:10-12, we learned about the importance of choosing godly wisdom, working hard, and of maintaining our hopes for a better day. Solomon wrote that we should seek wisdom and put away pride. Pride leads to contention, and that leads to strife. Proverbs 17:19 says, "He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction." Some people look for trouble, and false pride, in addition to leading us from the Lord, will cause us trouble every time. Psalms 10:4 says, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." Wisdom comes from the Hebrew word that means prudent, shrewd, ethical, or religious and Solomon wrote that wisdom is with the well advised. When we seek good, godly counsel, we are on the road to wisdom. When we turn away from that kind of counseling, though, we are on the wayward path that leads to trouble. Matthew 7:13-15 says, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
In addition to emphasizing the importance of sound counseling, Solomon also taught that we should avoid get rich quick schemes. Men and women were intended to work for their increase. When wealth comes too easily and too quickly, it also disappears quickly and easily. When wealth comes by hard work, then we are much more cautious about what and how we consume. Hard work helps us be prosperous. It also keeps us from trouble. The little town of Ai defeated the children of Israel when they got lazy. Joshua 7:2-4 says, "And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai." It is good for man to work and to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Psalms 128:2 says, "For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee."
Solomon's final teaching in this passage was that life is tough. However, having a hope in something bigger than us can carry us through. Heaven is the Christian's hope. Whenever a person's hope is fulfilled, great joy results. In I Samuel 1:5-28, Hannah prayed for and hoped for a son. When her petition was answered, she felt tremendous happiness and joy. When we focus on heaven and the joys of being with the Lord forever, then the trials and tribulations of this life are much easier to handle. The Christian looks to the Lord for this life and trusts in Him for the next life. He is our Hope. He can give us peace where there is no peace and joy where there is no joy. As you go through the coming week, try to remember these truths and be the person that God would have you be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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