Lesson 9 for February 28, 2015

“What is truth?” (John 18:38). Solomon wrote about the truth and honesty in Proverbs The truth about truth (22:17-21) 2.The truth about divine justice (22:22-23; 23:10-11, 18) 3.The truth about envy (23:17; 24:1-2, 19-20) 4.The truth about food and beverage (23:1-8; 29-35) 5.The truth about responsibility (24:11-12, 23-28)

“Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction… In this way, you may know the truth…” (Proverbs 22:17, 21) Truth is more than knowledge. It is an experience that transforms people. It is a close relationship with the Truth; that is, with Jesus Christ (John 14:6). 1.Listen and pay attention. “Incline your ear and hear” (22:17). 2.Make it yours. “If you keep them within you” (22:18). 3.Speak about it. “Let them all be fixed upon your lips” (22:18). Which is the fruit of truth? 1.Faith and confidence. “So that your trust may be in the Lord” (22:19). 2.Conviction. “the certainty of the words of truth” (22:21). 3.Sharing it. “That you may answer words of truth” (22:21). How can I get the truth?

“Do not rob the poor because he is poor, nor oppress the afflicted at the gate.” (Proverbs 22:22) “Do not remove the ancient landmark, nor enter the fields of the fatherless.” (Proverbs 23:10) Stealing or moving the landmark was forbidden by the law (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 19:14). But God emphasized the act of doing evil to the poor or the orphan (that is, to those who are more vulnerable than we are). “There is surely a future hope for you,” (23:18 NIV) and God will do justice. “For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.” (Proverbs 23:11) “For the Lord will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them.” (Proverbs 22:23)

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day.” (Proverbs 23:17) “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them.” (Proverbs 24:1) “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked.” (Proverbs 24:19) What can we envy the sinners for? We obviously don’t envy their sins. We envy the immediate reward of them: riches, success, power… Gaining those things through sin isn’t good at all. Using sin to obtain something is like buying vapor instead of eternal life. God wants us to hate sin. We must be aware of the cost of sin (the cross). That way we will appreciate the future reward more than that immediate profit. Get away from sin as if it was a rattlesnake!

E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, cp. 16, pg. 171)

Solomon’s words are crystal-clear: eat healthy and control your excesses (especially when social dining). The “miser” often raise their evil plans after a “business meal”, just when the mind is dull after so much food.

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’” (Proverbs 23:29-35) Noah never imagined the shame he would feel after distilling alcohol. Those who often get drunk didn’t get to that bottomless pit suddenly. Alcohol began to rule them little by little. They realize they are being dominated too late. Alcohol destroys people and families. Remove it from your life.

“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs 24:11-12) There is no excuse before God for not saving someone from physical or spiritual death when we are able do so. We are responsible for both the words we say and the words we leave out (24:23-28). We must honestly report what we see and hear, so we don’t become accomplices of the sinner (that way we can save souls). Truth is the most safe and simple way to live our lives. God recognizes and blesses those who live truthfully. «“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:8)