Lesson 8 for February 21, 2015

The equality of all humans (Proverbs 20:9, 12) Being perseverant (Proverbs 20:6) Waiting for the Lord (Proverbs 20:17, 20-22; 21:5-6) Compassion (Proverbs 21:13; 22:16) Proper education (Proverbs 22:6, 8, 15) The words of wisdom in Proverbs 20, 21 and 22:1-16 set the parameters that should guide our daily life.

Why should we all be considered equal? “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” (Proverbs 20:12) “All men are created equal.” (Thomas Jefferson, U.S. Declaration of Independence, July ). There may be differences in race, size or genre, but we all are equal because we have been created by God (Acts 17:26). Are we equal in any other aspect? “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin’?” (Proverbs 20:9) We all are infected by a cancer called sin (Romans 3:23) We all are equal because we all need a Savior to redeem our sin. This is what makes us different: only those who accept Jesus as their Savior will be created again to live forever (2Co. 5:17)

It is OK to be praised for a good deed. Nevertheless, what about the other deeds you do? Should you be praised for them? It is not the single sensational act of love or sacrifice that will demonstrate the high quality of our relationships, but the long and regular series of small actions that we perform day by day, patiently and surely. Should I tell others how good I am? Quite the opposite! “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

“Oh, how many are waiting for opportunity to do some great work of self-sacrifice, and are overlooking the little daily test which God gives to prove them. It is the little things of life that develop the spirit in men and women and determine that character. These trifles cannot be neglected and yet the man be prepared to endure the severe tests, when they are brought to bear upon him.” E.G.W. (This day with God, May 15)

“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” (Proverbs 20:17 NIV)

“If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness. An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.” (Proverbs 20:20-21) Are you waiting for your rich parents to die so you finally get your inheritance? That’s just an example. Solomon wanted us to think on the foolishness of trying to get goods in a fraudulent and quick way. God cannot bless them. Just trust God. He will give us everything we need at the right moment. INHERITANCE “Don’t say, ‘I will get even for this wrong.’ Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.” (Proverbs 20:22) Let’s trust God if we are done wrong and we deserve justice. He will avenge us. We are told to be merciful as we trust God. That way, we will “heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” (Pr. 25:22). Maybe we could bring salvation to that person; conquering evil by doing good (Rom. 12:21). REVENGE

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Proverbs 22:6) “By your manner of dealing with the little ones you can by the grace of Christ mold their characters for everlasting life.” (E.G.W., The Adventist Home, sec. 12, cp. 52, pg. 305) “Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.” (Proverbs 22:8) We must be aware of the heritage we leave for posterity. That thought should also lead our daily life. Solomon compared the education to sowing. Whatever we sow our children, our friends and our neighbors with, will grow in due course for either good or evil.

“As the seed sown produces a harvest, and this in turn is sown, the harvest is multiplied. In our relation to others, this law holds true. Every act, every word, is a seed that will bear fruit. Every deed of thoughtful kindness, of obedience, or of self-denial, will reproduce itself in others, and through them in still others… Thus the sowing of good and evil goes on for time and for eternity.” E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp.6, pg. 85)