2020 May 16-May 17 Proverbs 14, ML Select, TWGA, weekly CTC
2020 May 16-May 17 Proverbs 14, ML Select, TWGA, weekly CTC
“31 The one who defrauds the lowly one insults his Maker, But whoever shows compassion to the poor glorifies Him. 32 The wicked one will be brought down by his own evil, But the righteous one will find refuge in his integrity. 33 Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of an understanding person, But among the stupid it must make itself known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is disgraceful to a people. 35 The king finds pleasure in a servant who acts with insight, But his fury is against the one who acts shamefully.”
Prove 14:31 Sometimes people sadly keep their distance from a poor person, perhaps not wanting to be seen by others and considered as someone “on their level.” They may be thinking of the popular adage, “Birds of a feather flock together,” or fear others may be thinking that way toward them. A more important Biblical principle, however, might be IMPARTIALITY ("freedom from bias or prejudice"), an aspect of both loyal love and true justice, as Peter stated at Acts 10:34-35: “34 At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Some may mistakenly believe that God typically withholds material benefits from unrighteous people, but this is not necessarily so. Recall Asaph, in Psalm 73, lamented how the wicked often seem to prosper, saying in verse 12: “Yes, these are the wicked, who always have it easy. They keep increasing their wealth.” He came to realize, however, as we read in verses 18,19: “18 Surely you place them on slippery ground. You make them fall to their ruin. 19 How suddenly they are devastated! How sudden is their finish as they come to a terrible end!” Yes, even economic hardship can befall almost any person, including the righteous. Proverbs 24:16 says “16 For the righteous one may fall seven times, and he will get up again, But the wicked will be made to stumble by calamity.” How fine, then, when we show compassion to the poor, as Jesus does! This would include those "poor in spirit," who may be in desperate need of spiritual guidance. While we may appreciate the blessings and benefits of learning godly wisdom, would not God wish for us to unselfishly share it with those we discern would truly appreciate it? Whether poor materially or spiritually, God's son is eager to assist. Notice this, as stated at Psalm 72:12, “12 For he will rescue the poor who cry for help, Also the lowly one and whoever has no helper.” No one should be taking advantage of their plight. For instance, should we really be charging desperate ones exorbitant interest on a loan, perhaps ‘defrauding them,’ just because they don’t have the means or credit to receive a better rate? Recall that even fellow Israelites were to loan to one who became desperate, what they needed, even without additional interest. This is one of the best ways to help someone. Would it not be better in the future, when the economy has stabilized and there are fewer "poor" among us, to consider adjusting our monetary system, to help out the poor, with a temporary low rate, if they must borrow from a financial institution, still while having the means to work off and repay the loan? The government could even step in, matching the low rate to the financial institution for providing a loan with low interest to such a one in genuine need, and in no way squandering the resources. In fact, why couldn't these institutions contribute also by helping in an important way to educate their customers on financial responsibility, and effective budgeting, for instance? Would not God himself reward those displaying a spirit of kindness toward such ones? Perhaps you might think of other ways that the plight of the poor may be taken into consideration. Happily, under the rulership of God’s son, more compassion will be shown to the poor, ‘saving them.’ Psalm 72:13-14 read: “13 He will have pity on the lowly and the poor, And the lives of the poor he will save. 14 From oppression and from violence he will rescue them, And their blood will be precious in his eyes.”
"32 The wicked one will be brought down by his own evil, But the righteous one will find refuge in his integrity."
Prove 14:32 At Psalm 57:6 David says “6 They have prepared a net to ensnare my feet; I am bowed down with distress. They have dug a pit ahead of me, But they fell into it themselves.” David was essentially a man of integrity. Firmly holding to God’s right standards benefits and protects us in many ways. This is the course He blesses. Integrity is wholeness or completeness without corruption. We should never choose to act corruptly, out of harmony with God’s laws or ways. May we continually look to Jehovah for support in pursuing a right course in life, finding and maintaining divine favor, with eternal happiness in view.
"33 Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of an understanding person, But among the stupid it must make itself known."
Prove 14:33 Of course, this is not saying we should not compassionately share divine wisdom with others, to their everlasting benefit! Rather, this indicates that a truly wise person is not a know-it-all, but instead, is humble. Proverbs 1:5 says “5 A wise person listens and takes in more instruction...” A proud or morally foolish person often no longer sees the need to listen to others, especially those they consider “beneath” them. James 1:19 says “19 Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Most persons are going to have some knowledge that we ourselves do not, that we can benefit from. So should one believe he is so smart that he must always do all the talking? Perhaps such a person is lacking understanding in some respects, as true “wisdom rests quietly,” not loudly, in the heart of an understanding one. One not consistently doing right may be seeking his own glory above God’s, and therefore may deem it necessary to make known his own “wisdom” over and above others. May we be careful to humbly acknowledge God’s right to a good reputation, praising His wisdom as found in His divine word, as bringing the greatest satisfaction and spiritual astuteness to man.
"34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is disgraceful to a people."
Prove 14:34 May we thus encourage such righteousness among others, as leading to true success and happiness before God and mankind. Who knows better what we need to make us truly happy than our Maker, Jehovah God himself? For instance, aren’t we happy to embrace a beloved family member, to have the feeling of touch, along with the other senses? Have you ever had your lower mouth numbed for dental work? How did it feel to touch your chin right afterward? Or, how did it NOT feel? It seems as though your chin is dead, no longer able to feel. Do we appreciate the Creator who Himself placed such sensors over our entire body for our protection and well-being? May we recognize Jehovah as the giver of “every good gift and every perfect present,” and appreciatively use whatever gifts and talents we have in harmony with His right standards and ways, not sinning disgracefully. (James 1:17). God knows how we tick, and what will lead us to the best life we can enjoy! May we be mindful of God’s eternal purpose, and live for the joy that is set before us, not only in serving God now, but everlastingly.
"35 The king finds pleasure in a servant who acts with insight, But his fury is against the one who acts shamefully.”
Prove 14:35 Acting with insight requires compassion, looking at things from another person’s perspective, seeing beyond the obvious. Proverbs 19:11 says “The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, And it is beauty on his part to overlook an offense.” In this case, understanding why a person was rude to us, for instance, helps us take the action of “overlooking an offense,” letting the offense go, forgetting it. Perhaps they had just spilled coffee on their brand new dress shirt. Understanding this can stir patience with others, smoothing over what could otherwise cause hurt feelings. This is contrasted with acting “shamefully,” or disgracefully, void of thoughtfulness or consideration for others or their feelings. Such insolence upsets the king, whereby he takes pleasure in the empathetic, insightful one. While Jesus Christ is ultimately the king representing Jehovah, any anger he displays is under control, as he looks for ways to assist, even wayward ones! (Isaiah 55:7-9). Why, if the king takes pleasure in one acting with insightful compassion, would not he himself do so? Another translation reads: "The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, but his anger is toward him who acts shamefully." (NASB). May all who would live forever in truly peaceful conditions come to fear God, turning aside from badness, hating shameful conduct. Also, those in authority as kings submitting to Christ's dominion, also taking pleasure in God’s divine wisdom and righteousness, may react similarly.
Week 10: ISSUE AFTER ISSUE ADDRESSED BY GOD’S KINGDOM: PROPER VIEW OF LAW
Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night.”
Joshua
1:8 “This book of the Law should not depart from your mouth, and you
must read it in an undertone day and night, in order to observe
carefully all that is written in it; for then your way will be
successful and then you will act wisely.”
Jeremiah 31:33 “For
this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after
those days,” declares Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in
their heart I will write it. And I will become their God, and they will
become my people.”
NEED FOR LAW.
The need for some code of law became apparent with time in man’s
history. Before the advent of such laws, humans, closer to the
perfection originally present in our first parents, Adam and Eve,
generally lived by their consciences. Likely, discussions of right and
wrong actions were among the conversations our first parents had with
their children. It was possibly even before a law code existed that
Joseph fled from having an adulterous affair with his Egyptian owner’s
wife, saying “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin
against God?” In the oral history handed down, he knew God had brought
the first man and woman together in marriage, and at this, God’s word
says: “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he
will stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24).
Thus respect for the covenant of marriage was engendered early on,
especially among God-fearing persons.
AN EARLY CODE.
One early law code was the code of Hammurabi. This was before the time
of Moses. Hammurabi’s code laid down some 282 laws, having been written
upon stone pillars within the kingdom of Babylon, so everyone would know
the law. Hammurabi is known as the sixth king of Babylon, and is
believed to have ruled between 1792 BCE and 1750 BCE. Hammurabi
evidently did not write these laws, but brought together and organized
existing laws. It became the standard of judgment throughout his empire.
Of course, there were some similarities and differences when comparing
his law to that of God’s law through Moses. Both codes stated, for
instance, that kidnapping a child would bring the death penalty.*
WHY SEVERE PENALTIES?
Why do such laws of man and even God, even today, have severe
punishments associated with certain wrong actions? If everyone is aware
of the law code, and know how severe the penalty would be for a specific
harmful, criminal act, this should serve as a powerful deterrent from
engaging in such conduct, thus enabling a peaceful existence to be
maintained in society. Just as violating a law of physics, such as
gravity, you know could mean your death, so serious moral laws should
never be violated either. God reveals at 2Peter 3:9 that He “...is
patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but
desires all to attain to repentance.” Thus, He wants everyone to
understand and respect His laws, which promote genuine peace and
happiness among society. Hammurabi’s code even included death for
robbery, while God’s law through Moses generally only required returning
the item stolen, if possible, and added compensation, totaling up to
four or even seven times the amount, depending on what it was. Thus,
God’s law was more reasonable in this case, while the penalty still
serves to deter the crime. Also, God’s law promoted fairness and
equality, whereas Hammurabi’s law considered a crime less serious if it
was committed by one with higher social status. More than a crime
against man, God’s law made it clear that crimes such as robbery were
also being committed against God—who loves His human creation, and wants
the peace and happiness of all. They thus were sins against God,
requiring forgiveness by Him.
OTHER PURPOSES OF LAW.
We’ve seen that laws can be set as a deterrent from bad actions. But
laws can also promote and accentuate good practices and standards. It
can be used to set certain payments for government, legal and business
services, for instance. It can outline fair practices between entities,
whether governmental, commercial, or personal. It can outline a path to
help various peoples overcome some disappointing or failing
circumstances, to regain their peace, security, prosperity, freedom
and/or happiness after some disaster or unfortunate occurrence(s). Laws
can thus be used for much good, and contribute to the above-mentioned
conditions that human hearts long to experience and maintain. And
contrary to the notion that laws are only restrictive, in truth law can
even protect various freedoms that promote such happiness among
humanity. God’s word reveals that “where the spirit of Jehovah is, there
is freedom!” (2Cori 3:17). And James speaks of God’s law as a “perfect
law that belongs to freedom.” He writes: “But the one who peers into the
perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not
a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in
what he does.” (James 1:25). Thus, God’s law can promote wise and good
conduct, and help those who adhere to it act with greater wisdom, and
find greater happiness. Psalm 19:7-8 says: “7 The law of Jehovah is
perfect, restoring strength. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced one wise. 8 The orders from Jehovah are
righteous, causing the heart to rejoice; The commandment of Jehovah is
clean, making the eyes shine [“enlightening the eyes”, AMP].” Therefore,
God’s commands support truth and true worship in a way that enables
obedient ones to find wisdom and joy, to see more clearly where they are
on the path of life, and where they are going.
WHAT OF THE RANSOM?
Therefore, the ransom of Christ, while a merciful gift of God, does not
do away with law, but rather establishes it. It is having faith, or deep
trust, in that merciful provision for forgiveness that enables ones to
gradually grow to greater adherence to the law of God. With a deep faith
in God and His word and law, we are moved to respond to God’s love by
loving Him in return. And 1John 5:3 explains: “3 For this is what the
love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his
commandments are not burdensome.” Thus by such faith in God’s love,
seeing God’s law as a way to know how to love Him in return, true
righteousness is made possible, even a complete obedience of the heart
of a person. This was not always understood. Some Jews felt that their
own circumcision of the flesh itself gave them divine favor. Romans
3:23-24, 29-31 says: “23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God, 24 and it is as a free gift that they are being declared
righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom
paid by Christ Jesus...29 Or is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not
also the God of people of the nations? Yes, also of people of the
nations. 30 Since God is one, he will declare circumcised people
righteous as a result of faith and uncircumcised people righteous by
means of their faith. 31 Do we, then, abolish law by means of our faith?
Not at all! On the contrary, we uphold law.” Likewise, for true
Christians, baptism itself is not an automatic sign of divine favor, but
it is a “request made to God for a good conscience.” (1Peter 3:21).
Holding a good conscience, that is eagerly trained by God’s word, with
an obedient and loyal heart, brings divine approval, not as something we
earn, but as a free gift, by God’s kindness, through the ransom of
Christ.
CONCLUSION
FAITH IN GOD AND HIS LAW.
Jesus when on earth taught many principles of divine truth, that aid one
to understand God and His ways better, so as to WANT to live by them.
Christ’s teachings help us to address our loyalty and faithfulness to
God in a heartfelt way, becoming obedient from the heart to God’s
standards and laws, promoting true peace, righteousness, and happiness.
May we therefore come to delight in the law of God, as others throughout
history, and look forward to God’s favored blessings and rewards. This
requires faith, or deep trust, in Him, as explained at Hebrews 11:6: “6
Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever
approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder
of those earnestly seeking him.” God’s Kingdom will thus help people
to comprehend God’s law in a way that they can understand and live by
it, seeing it’s wisdom and value in their life.
Perhaps books will be published, with the aim of addressing a certain
aspect or topic of God’s law, revealing insight into how it functions to
contribute to earth-wide or even universal peace, security, prosperity,
freedom, and happiness. They can be written with warmth and
understanding, in “plain English” so-to-speak, in a way that may bring
delight and satisfaction. May we continue learning of God’s perfect law,
that we may live by it, respecting His law and His Son’s teachings,
thus honoring our loving God and Father, Jehovah, as the rightful
Sovereign of the Universe.
* WORLD HISTORY for Christian Schools, 1984 ed. pp. 24-25


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