Lesson 6 for February 7, 2015

Most modern text editors use a system called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) That is, the printed document will look just like it is displayed on your screen. Unfortunately, things are not usually that way in our live: you DON’T get what you see. Our dreams, thoughts and opinions may create a distorted view of reality, the people around us and even ourselves. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) We find a basic piece of advice in Proverbs: we cannot trust ourselves like the foolish do. Quite the opposite, in fact; we must trust God alone. He is always in control, even when things seem to go wrong.

According to Proverbs 14, what does the fool do? The foolish is haughty (v. 3), he mocks at the truth (v. 6-9), he is willing to believe everything but the truth (v. 15), he is impulsive (v. 16, 29) and he is an oppressor (v. 21, 31). He pulls his house down (v. 1)He despises the Lord (v. 2)He haughty (v. 3)His trough is clean (v. 4)He utters lies (v. 5)He doesn’t find wisdom (v. 6) He doesn’t have lips of knowledge (v. 7) He is deceit (v. 8)He mocks at sin (v. 9)His house will be overthrown (v. 11)He is filled with his own ways (v. 14)He believes every word (v. 15)He rages and is self-confident (v. 16) He inherits folly (v. 18)He will bow before the good (v. 19)He despises his neighbor (v. 21)He devises evil (v. 22)He is led to poverty (v. 23)His crown is folly (v. 24)He speaks lies (v. 25)He is impulsive (v. 29)He is rottenness to the bones (v. 30)He oppresses the poor (v. 31)He is banished in his wickedness (v. 32)Wisdom is unknown to him (v. 33)

According to Proverbs 14, what does the wise do? The wise is the opposite of the fool. He speaks humbly (v. 3), he values learning and knowledge (v. 6, 18), he is cautious (v. 15), he is gentle and patient (v. 29, 33), he is compassionate and sensitive (v. 21, 31). He builds his house (v. 1)He fears the Lord (v. 2)He is preserved from pride (v. 3)He has enough bread (v. 4)He doesn’t lie (v. 5)Knowledge is easy to him (v. 6)He runs away from the fool (v. 7)He understands his way (v. 8)He is upright (v. 9)His tent will flourish (v. 11)He is satisfied with his ways (v. 14)He considers well his steps (v. 15)He fears and departs from evil (v. 16)He is crowned with knowledge (v. 18) The evil bow before him (v. 19)He has mercy on the poor (v. 21) Mercy and truth belong to him; he devises good (v. 22) There is profit in his labor (v. 23)He manages his resources wisely (v. 24)He delivers souls (v. 25)He is slow to wrath (v. 29)He is life to the body (v. 30)He has mercy on the needy (v. 31)He has refuge even in his death (v. 32)Wisdom rests in his heart (v. 33)

“Those who would have that wisdom which is from God must become fools in the sinful knowledge of this age, in order to be wise. They should shut their eyes, that they may see and learn no evil. They should close their ears, lest they hear that which is evil and obtain that knowledge which would stain their purity of thoughts and acts. And they should guard their tongues, lest they utter corrupt communications and guile be found in their mouths.” E.G.W. (The Adventist Home, section 14, cp. 66, pg. 404)

How may our actions and our thoughts change when we are aware that God knows everything we do, say or think? Fearing the Lord—the beginning of wisdom— is to be conscious of His presence at all times and everywhere. God is the only one who can perfectly distinguish between good and evil. He wants to share His wisdom with us. He wants us to learn how to distinguish between good and evil, so we choose well. In the next verses, Solomon described the joy of making good decisions, and how important is to accept God’s sovereignty in our lives.

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15) “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” (Proverbs 15:8) God enjoys His communion with His children. Fearing God and accepting His salvation brings joy. Nothing will take that joy from us (Romans 8:38-39).

The story of Balaam is a good example of this proverb (Numbers 22-24). He planned to curse the people of Israel, but God put blessings in his mouth. We may make our plans, but God will decide either to let us carry them out or to stop us. He’s still in control. The proud make their own plans and trust their own strength. The humble put their plans in God’s hands and accept His will.

“When you give up your own will, your own wisdom, and learn of Christ, you will find admittance into the kingdom of God. He requires entire, unreserved surrender. Give up your life for Him to order, mold, and fashion. Take upon your neck His yoke. Submit to be led and taught by Him. Learn that unless you become as a little child, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven. Abiding in Christ is choosing only the disposition of Christ, so that His interests are identified with yours. Abide in Him, to be and to do only what He wills.” E.G.W. (Selected Messages, book 1, section 2, cp. 13, pg. 129)