Sunday, April 4, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 6:20-35, we again learned about the importance of obeying the instructions of godly parents. Solomon wrote throughout the Book of Proverbs about living right, about pursuing wisdom and understanding, and about following the teachings of good, godly parents. He had a reason for proclaiming these messages, and that reason was that it is very, very easy for a person to go astray. He wanted people to follow the good instruction of their godly parents so that they would be spared many of this life's troubles. He wrote that we should bind their instructions around our neck and keep them close to our heart. Similarly, Deuteronomy 6:4-7 says, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Solomon spoke about obedience because he knew that obedient children are a blessing to the Lord. He also knew that the Lord blesses obedient children. Exodus 20:12 says, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
It is interesting to note the contrasting styles of Moses and Solomon. Moses commanded parents to be good biblical examples to their children. Solomon told children to listen to the instructions of their parents. Either way, there is a big payoff for doing right. Living according to the instructions of a godly parent will give you the right example you need. It will keep you through the lonely, dark hours of the night, and your sleep will not be interrupted by the guilty feelings of a wayward lifestyle. Solomon wrote that the commandment is a light that will steer us away from the darkened paths of this life. In a similar context, the Bible says that Jesus is our Light, and He, too, will steer us. John 3:16-19 says, ""For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Godly wisdom and understanding will keep us from many of life's troubles. One in particular is the drawing power of strange women. Solomon wrote that if you play with fire you will probably get burnt. He said that the man who goes into his neighbor's wife would not be innocent.
Because Solomon, under Holy Spirit inspiration, emphasized the importance of living right, we should each desire to do our part. So, as you go through the coming week, try to live by the instruction of godly parents, try to be the person the Lord would have you be, and do your best to live a life that would be glorifying to Him.
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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