2020 Feb 10-Feb 11 Proverbs 5, Psalm 119 Review 3
2020 Feb 10-Feb 11 Proverbs 5, Psalm 119 Review 3
"18 May your own fountain be blessed, And may
you rejoice with the wife of your youth, 19 A loving doe, a graceful
mountain goat. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times. May you be
captivated by her love constantly. 20 So why, my son, should you be
captivated by a wayward woman Or embrace the bosom of an immoral woman?"
The
context of these verses involves helping a young man disregard the
"lips of a wayward woman" which may "drip like a honeycomb," but "in the
end she is as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a two-edged sword."
(Verses 3,4). Rather, let's treasure the gift of marriage, one's dear
wife being cherished by him along with her expressions of love and
affection.
Prove 5:18-20 Jehovah instituted marriage for the
happiness and benefit of mankind! Patience and self-control are vital
for both unmarried and married persons. Loyalty to God and one's
marriage partner should be safeguarded, with expressions of sexual
endearment reserved for this one alone, with whom vows have been
exchanged to care for one another through thick and thin, in good times
and bad. Of course, any misuse of sex is abusing the gift of God,
violating the sanctity of marriage. Trust God and wait! One abusing this
gift is practicing disloyalty toward others, seeding impurity and
distrust, and violating true love--putting at risk the everlasting
happiness of himself and others. God is allowing marriage to be a gift
mankind can enjoy for all eternity--would we want to turn our back on
this blessing???
One not yet married should work on preparing heart and mind for this privilege, acquiring useful skills for contributing to a happy union and family with one that God can help him or her find in agreement with their heart's desire. Should romantic expressions come to an end a few months after the marriage begins? By no means! The man is to love her as his "own body", and be "captivated by her love constantly!" The wisdom and love of God as taught in His word helps both husband and wife to respect, cherish, and love one another as they should--let spiritual things be appreciated by both the man and woman, with the man taking the lead to ensure caring for various needs of his family--not just material needs. Of course, the wife can also have a share in instructing any children, along with her other responsibilities. (Prove 31:10-31). Both husband and wife should be freely able to express affection for one another when together and where appropriate. Therefore there is no need for a man to look anywhere else for such satisfaction--God made us to be happiest loving our marriage partner while obeying God together faithfully. If married, may we faithfully disregard the actions or "lips of a wayward woman" that threaten the sanctity of our marriage! If unmarried, prepare yourself for this gift God's way, maintaining purity of heart and mind, saving your expressions of love and endearment for the one God will help you find if you loyally turn to Him for such guidance!
_______SPARED HEARTACHE. Psalm 119:67 God may have allowed the psalmist to face difficulties so that he might learn obedience, as did Christ, through “the things he suffered.” (Hebre 5:8). Adherence to God’s law spares us much heartache and trouble from the consequences of wrongdoing. The psalmist here learned the lesson, and came to appreciate the value of God’s loving guidance and correction.
EVIDENCE OF GOD'S LOVE. Psalm 119:68 Thus, Jehovah’s works are in harmony with His personality—they are a manifestation of His great love, wisdom, power, and sense of justice. His primary quality, according to His word, is love. While God HAS the other qualities, it is only love that He IS. (1John 4:8,16). Therefore, we can expect His works, past, present, and future to primarily manifest this quality. Can we not see this in God’s works of creation? The way humans have been made ‘in God’s image,’ to be able to think, reason, draw conclusions, work with our hands, move with our feet, laugh, and enjoy living—can we not appreciate our Great Designer? How much work would teams of scientists and engineers have to do to design and create a robot that could do all the things humans are capable of doing? Could it really just come about by chance? What about all that went into the animal creation, with the delightful experiences of watching kittens or puppies at play, seeing squirrels or other acrobatic creatures amaze us with their feats of skill, witnessing a bird’s talented flight or listening to birdsong? What about the sights and aromas of beautiful flowers or blossoming trees in springtime? Then being able to share such times with friends and loved ones, delighting in conversation over meals and other enjoyable activities—can our appreciation and love for God not continue to grow as we contemplate His innumerable kindnesses manifested toward the human family? Yes, Jehovah is good and His works are good! Like the psalmist, may we thus be moved to willingly learn from God even His detailed guidance for us, that we may know how to live and support the doing of His will and good purpose.
GOD'S LAW A PROTECTION. Psalm 119:71 Similar to verse 67, the psalmist looks back on times of difficulty, as disciplining him toward godly obedience. He came to recognize God’s law as a protection from the stain and pain of wrong conduct. He learned God’s regulations, or detailed guidance, that he might keep it, finding and maintaining God’s approval, favor, and blessing. Happily, Jehovah can forgive past error, even making such mistakes “white like snow.” (Isaiah 1:18). Still, there can be consequences that ones have to live with for serious transgressions, just as David suffered many family troubles for his sins. How much better to appreciate God’s goodness, accepting His loving correction to begin with, choosing to live in accord with His standards!
GOD'S LAW PRICELESS, LIFE-SUSTAINING. Psalm 119:72 Here the stanza is summed up with an evaluation of God’s law—truly priceless! The psalmist has shown over several stanzas the benefits of keeping it whole-heartedly—remaining in a close relationship with God, and usually being respected by most God-fearing persons. He recognized God’s law as good, not just for others, but for him personally, moving him to value it more than money. Ecclesiastes 7:12 says “The advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.” Money, while necessary, cannot buy eternal life or true happiness, as God’s word clarifies. Therefore may we come to see what is of greatest value in life, and refuse to let others convince us otherwise!
SUBMISSION TO GOD’S DISCIPLINE PLACES US IN HIS HANDS TO EXPERIENCE HIS FAITHFULNESS
GOD'S PERMISSION OF DIFFICULTIES. Psalm 119:75 The psalmist was a likely king or future king, and thus perhaps came under more of God’s discipline than most, needing refinement to carry out the will of God fully. Likewise, those receiving sonship to rule with Christ likewise need God’s loving correction to guide them in receiving their privileged reward from God. Anointed Hebrew Christians at one time were evidently focusing too much on any problems, as Paul sought to correct their view, stating at Hebrews 12:5-6: “5 And you have entirely forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not belittle the discipline from Jehovah, nor give up when you are corrected by him; 6 for those whom Jehovah loves he disciplines, in fact, he scourges everyone whom he receives as a son.” The psalmist thus felt he was experiencing difficulties that God at least permitted, yet he saw God’s faithfulness in His dealings with him. He knew God’s judgments were righteous, and he could endure in faithfulness, learning from his experiences to observe God’s law fully.


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