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International S. S. Lessons

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 24, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 25.

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International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON VI.—SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1893.

THE VALUE OF WISDOM.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Prov. 3: 11-24.

  1. My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his reproof;
  2. For whom the Lord loveth he reproveth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
  3. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
  4. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
  5. She is more precious than rubies; and none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.
  6. Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
  7. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
  8. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone that retaineth her.
  9. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.
  10. By his knowledge the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
  11. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion.
  12. So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
  13. Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
  14. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Golden Text.—"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding." Prov. 3: 5.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. What tender appeal is made to the reader in verse 11 of this lesson?
  2. What is meant by "the chastening of the Lord"? See note 1.
  3. With what is the Lord's correction compared? Verse 12.
  4. In what way are we assured happiness? Verse 13. See note 2.
  5. What is said of the value of wisdom? Verses 14, 15; Ps. 19: 10. See note 3.
  6. What is wisdom represented as holding in her hands? Verse 16. See note 4.
  7. What is said of her ways or paths? Verse 17.
  8. What special gifts come to those who lay hold of and retain wisdom? Verse 18. See note 4.
  9. What great works has the Lord by wisdom and knowledge accomplished? Verses 19, 20. See note 5.
  10. How firmly should we cling to wisdom and discretion? Verse 21.
  11. What shall they be to the soul? Verse 22. See note 5.
  12. How will these results enable us to walk through the journey of life? Verse 23.
  13. And what confidence shall we have by the way? Verse 24. See note 6.

NOTES.

1. THE "chastening" of the children of God is not punishment as of the execution of his wrath upon the incorrigibly wicked. It is correction designed for their reformation, and is the manifestation of love and mercy. The Century Dictionary says it is "to inflict pain, trouble, or affliction for the purpose of reclaiming from evil; to purify by discipline." The idea is made clear in Heb. 12: 11, which says: "No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby."
2. As the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps. 111: 10), that must be the beginning of happiness. And as "all they that do his commandments" have "a good understanding" (Ib.), then it is clear that the doing of his commandments begets happiness. The proper fear of the Lord is manifested in obedience to his will, and his will is expressed in his word. When our Saviour instituted the ordinance of humility (feet washing), after he had enjoined his disciples to follow his example, he said, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." John 13: 17.
3. THE "merchandise," or the purchase or accumulation of wisdom, is better than that of silver, and the gain by dealing in wisdom is better than to gain gold. The Psalmist says of the "judgments of the Lord," which are "true and righteous altogether," that they are more to be desired than much fine gold. Ps. 19: 9, 10. Job 28: 12, and onward, pays an eloquent tribute to the incalculable value of wisdom, closing with the exclamation, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." As evil, or sin, is the transgression of the law (1 John 3: 4), then to depart from transgressing the law is understanding.
4. WISDOM is represented as possessing length of days, wealth, and honor. These are the things that men most covet in this life. Therefore the surest way to secure what all men most desire is to get the wisdom which is found in God's word. As to wealth, Abraham has promise of the world (Rom. 4: 13), and if we are Christ's, then we are "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3: 29). As to length of days, verse 18 of the lesson says of wisdom that she is "a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her." The tree of life is a prominent feature of the New Jerusalem, and Rev. 22: 14 says: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." The "honor" is summed up in Rev. 3: 21: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my father in his throne."
5. "THE LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens." Lesson verse 19. Comparing this with Ps. 33: 6, "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made," we have wisdom and understanding synonymous with the word of God. Then in all the admonitions to get wisdom, to lay fast hold of it, to let it not depart, etc., we are simply admonished to treasure up the word of God. In the Scriptures of truth is all that we can have of Christ or of the Father, which are one. He is manifested to us in the word, and by it we are to be sanctified (John 17: 17). He reveals his will to us through the word, and we have access to him through the word. "The words which I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6: 63. This explains how wisdom and understanding are life unto the soul, as expressed in verse 22 of the lesson.
6. THROUGH belief of the word we get that confidence which enables us to rely upon the assurance given in verses 23 and 24 of the lesson. Paul tells us that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. 10: 17. He also tells us that the Scriptures "are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3: 15. The results of such faith, manifested in obedience to the law of God, are elaborately set forth in Lev. 26: 3-13.