REWARDS OF OBEDIENCE.
-NOVEMBER
22.-PROV. 3:1-17.-
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”-Prov.
3:6.
IN this lesson Wisdom
personified stands as an instructor and offers good counsel to such as have an
ear to hear and a desire to obey her.
(1) “Wisdom is justified of her children.” They show their parentage, and
reflect their mother’s likeness. But to this end Wisdom’s laws and commandments
must be carefully heeded. Wisdom’s laws are divine laws, expressed not only in
the Scriptures, but also in the laws of nature. “The children of the light”
should walk in the light in reference to physical as well as spiritual
matters-health, food, cleanliness, clothing, etc.
(2) No one of ordinary perception can fail to note that a wise and
moderate course in life in obedience to the divine laws is beneficial with
respect to the life which now is, and also that which is to come. True, many
in the prime of life and health do not give heed to Wisdom’s voice; true, many
who do give heed are such as are already greatly impaired, having either
inherited weaknesses and frailties from the un-wisdom of their parents
(beginning with Adam and Eve) or having neglected the voice of Wisdom until
retribution overtook them. But even for the impaired the counsel of Wisdom is
profitable, as many have proved, and brings with it more of peace than can be
found in any other way.
(3) How grand the counsel of this verse! How wise, and how necessary to a
large development of heart, are the graces here mentioned-mercy and truth! No
one is truly great who is mean, spiteful, vindictive. Mercy towards others,
implying consideration for their failings and sufferings, is an ennobling
grace, a part of the image of God, too largely lost by many. Truth here stands
for sincerity, pureness and uprightness of dealing in all our affairs. Who
could be a true nobleman without this quality? Much more is it necessary to
every true Christian.
“Bind them about thy neck” signifies that these are to be esteemed as
jewels and ornaments of character carefully guarded from loss and always in
sight,- delightsome things. And not only should they be manifest to all as
outward graces, but they should be written or engraven in our hearts. Nobility
of character, God-likeness, was a part of man’s original endowment, and was
written in his very heart, nature, constitution; but Adamic sin and its
resultant separation from God, and now six thousand years of degradation, have
well nigh obliterated this original divine law from the heart of humanity. So
to fallen man in general, the evil and selfish and resentful suggestions
present themselves, instead of mercy and sincerity. But the child of God, the
child of Wisdom, is to retrace and engrave again upon the tablets of the heart
(that is, in his very character) these graces so generally obliterated. This
work is at the present time being followed only by those who are in the school
of Christ,-the “little flock.” But by and by the school of Christ will be
enlarged; and these who are now pupils will be associated with the great Master
as teachers and instructors of the Word; and then the whole world will be
called upon to rewrite in their hearts the original law of righteousness. And
all who appreciate the opportunity will be assisted in so doing by the Lord and
his servants; as it is written.-Jer. 31:33,34.
(4) Such characters are sure to be pleasing in the sight of God, and are
acknowledged even by such persons as are children of darkness and hate the
light, and would say all manner of evil falsely against the children of the
light.
(5) Every matured child of God must learn well and appreciate the
sentiment of this verse. Experience has taught him the imperfection of his own
judgment in many things, and the fallibility of all human counsel; and he has
learned and is still learning to trust the Lord implicitly. In order thus to
trust the Lord, a knowledge of his Word and the plan of salvation which it
reveals are very important; they inspire trust and confidence, not only in the
ability and wisdom of God, but also in his justice and love.
(6) It is not only proper that God’s children should trust him in their
hearts, but also that they should confess and acknowledge him as their Lord and
Master in all of their affairs. Such as are careful thus to acknowledge the
Lord have the assurance that he will direct their paths. Their paths will not
be directed in ways most congenial to the fallen nature: nor do they wish for
this; for, as already seen, they are desiring and seeking mercy and truth, as
outward charms, and also as deeply graven inward principles.
(7) Nothing is more dangerous to the child of God
than self-conceit: it blocks the way to true progress and reformation of heart,
and hinders true usefulness to others, and especially usefulness in God’s
service; for his Word declares, “God resisteth the proud, but showeth his favor
unto the humble.”
Instead of self confidence, Wisdom dictates a distrustfulness of self,
remembering its weaknesses and imperfections, and correspondingly the greater
reverence for God and reliance upon him, which more
than anything else will strengthen and enable us to depart from the evil of our
fallen estate.
(8) “Health [or vigor] to thy muscles and marrow to thy bones,” as
a figurative expression, would seem to signify general vitality, vigor of mind
and body, which certainly are among the blessed results of that proper
reverence for the Lord which leads us to depart from sin in thought, word and
deed.
(9) Whatever we possess should be made to contribute its part in God’s
service. Whether our substance consists of a rich endowment of talent, or
education, or influence, its first fruits, its results, should go to the
service of our gracious heavenly Father, as our Lord said: “Seek ye first
[chiefly, to serve] the Kingdom of heaven.”
(10) Whatever our substance, if faithful in its use and in consecrating
its best to the cause of God, a blessing will result to us. During the Jewish
age God’s covenant with that people was to the effect that faithfulness to him
and his laws would bring them temporal prosperity; and the same rule will be in
force during the Millennial age; as it is written, “In his days [the Millennial
age] shall the righteous flourish,” but “evil doers shall be cut off.” (Psa.
72:7; 37:9.) This rule does not apply during this Gospel age, however: the
meek do not now inherit the earth, nor the righteous in general. Now the proud
are prosperous, “Yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that
tempt God are even delivered.” (Mal. 3:15.) Not only our Lord Jesus and the
apostles, who honored God with the first-fruits of their being, but also many
of the household of faith since, have not had overflowing barns and wine
presses. Chiefly they have been “the poor of this world, rich in faith;” yet,
nevertheless, they have had the finest of the wheat, the purest of the oil and
the best of the wine, as represented in their spiritual nourishment and
enrichment.
(11,12) The trials and difficulties of this present life are not to be
esteemed as marks of divine disfavor, if we have become children of God,
children of Wisdom, under the provided conditions of the New Covenant. We are
to remember the promise of our Father, that “All things work together for good
to them that love God, to the called ones according to his purpose.” (Rom.
8:28.) Reproofs, trials, disciplines should be reminders to us that we are not
perfect, that we still have need of the mercy of God in Christ, even with our
best efforts; and should lead us to greater diligence in “perfecting holiness
in the fear [reverence] of the Lord.”-2 Cor. 7:1.
(13-17) Wisdom and understanding are not exactly synonymous terms. Wisdom
describes more particularly the perception of right and wrong principles and
their results and the propriety of following these. Knowledge or understanding
relates more particularly to the information and building up of judgment and
character, as the result of obedience to the voice of Wisdom.
It is a great blessing and privilege indeed to find Wisdom, for few
there be that find her in this present time. Wisdom is the light which cometh
from above. She is the truth. Her grand exemplification among men was “the man
Christ Jesus,” our Lord, “the true Light.” Light from above, Wisdom, is still
in the world, as represented in the divine Word; but to the majority it is
unseen, unknown; as it is written, “The God of this world hath blinded the
minds of them that believe not.” Thank God for the assurance that in due time
all the blind eyes shall be opened, and that then the true light, the true
wisdom from above, shall lighten every man! Then all will see the truth, and
all will hear the voice of Wisdom, the voice of God, the voice of Christ, the
voice of the Church, and be privileged to drink at the fountain of Wisdom and
knowledge, and, if they will be obedient, to obtain the full measure of divine
favor and blessing as represented in the offer of everlasting life.-See Rev.
22:17.
But, alas! although but few find Wisdom now, still fewer heed her voice
and purchase the true knowledge and its precious blessings as she directs.
Nothing else that can be bought is so valuable. Under Wisdom’s direction now
not only the silver of truth may be obtained, but the divine nature, as
symbolized by gold, and graces of character, as symbolized in precious stones.
All these may now be secured by obedience to her voice-and more; for “eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man the things that
God has in reservation for them that love him,”-including everlasting life,
heavenly riches, honor, joy and peace.