Ignore not Instruction

September 18, 2011

Lesson: Proverbs 15:19–33

Key Verse: Proverbs 15:32

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Introduction

The Word of God feeds the soul which our Lord has redeemed that we may know God and what is required of us as those made after the image of God: “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding” Prov. 15:32. Insecurity abounds in those whose heart is turned away from the Word of God: “The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain” (15:19). There is a marked difference between the wicked and those whose faith is in Christ: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly” Psa. 1:1.

Take a close look at Proverbs 15:19–32. Read it aloud, and you will begin to see that there is a marked comparison between the wicked and the righteous. Mark a chart with two columns. One column will be “Way of The Wicked” the other “Way of The Righteous.” Note the darkness that we have been drawn out of, and the marvelous light that we have entered; reminding us that we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ our Savior. This should also help us to deal with the sin which so easily besets us as we die to sin and live to Christ.

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Our Nature: Wicked or Righteous—Proverbs 15:19–25, 27–28, 32

Throughout Scripture, God deals with man in his wickedness. He declares His grace upon His saints: “The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just” (Isa. 26:7). God judges His own with His justice and righteousness, giving to them the grace to obey His commandments. However, the wicked “are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (Isa. 57:20). Only God can bring peace to the troubled soul of the wicked.

What is the nature of the wicked? It is seen in the slothful man whose path is filled with thorns. To the righteous His way is made plain, without any hindrances. The way of the righteous is justice, doing that which is right and pleasing in the sight of their Lord: “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). The child of God is enabled by the Spirit to do these things. Seeing how both mothers and fathers and children are treated in our society, the comparison of verse 20 is needed to wake us to what is going on, both in the lives of those who claim the name of Christian, and the wicked. “Honor your father and mother” are precious words which make glad the hearts of both mother and father.

The nature of the wicked is further illustrated in their folly. Being destitute of wisdom, they still follow their paths with much joy. They are unfaithful to right duties, directing themselves in paths of unrighteousness. They are seemingly happy to abort children. They claim a false righteousness of their own making, declaring evil to be good, as in same sex marriages. They are angry when their own counsel disappoints them, while rejecting the counsel of God’s Holy Word. Greed surrounds us, as gambling is fun as those around them lose home and life. Gambling is the entertainment of fools; claiming to bring joy into the life of many by emptying the pockets through deceit, giving false hope to the poor. The Christian hates these gifts: “Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart” (Ecc. 7:7). To win at someone else’s expense is a horror to the Christian. Then there is the evil which spews forth from the mouth of the wicked. In the name of freedom of speech, the enemy engages in filth, abominating the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in books, plays, and TV sitcoms. The Christian should have words of purity, which is pleasant to both the souls of men and the heart of God.

The wicked refuse instruction. By doing so they despise their own souls, leading them in the path of destruction. The Child of God looks for the rod and staff of the Good Shepherd, rejoicing in the salvation which is obtained, as well as growth in righteousness.

Discussion: What differences can be seen between the wicked and the righteous?

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Our Lord: He is Near—Proverbs 15:25–26, 29

The wicked take pride in their actions of unrighteousness. Their pride is enhanced as they remove the commandments of God from our justice system. They are puffed up when they present the Christian as the enemy of children. They would have us believe that their lies are better than what is truth. They see themselves are guardians of the poor through government programs. They divide people into categories to gain power. However, God is the Protector of the widow, and Redeemer of the lost. He will destroy the house of the proud. Even the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to God. The judgment of God upon the wicked is sure. Christ said, “And yet if I judge my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me” (John 8:16).

The words of His people, made pure by His word, are pleasant to His ears. Our hope of victory rests in the Lord. For the wicked are far from Him. They know not His loving presence and forgiving love. For they have denied Him. In comparison, the Lord hears the prayer of the righteous, those who live in the righteousness of Christ their Savior. In contrast to the wicked, the Lord hears the voice of the righteous, “He is graciously near to them, they have access to Him, He listens to their petitions; and if they are not always fulfilled according to their word, yet they are not without an answer (Ps. cxlv.18)” (Keil & Delitzsch).

Discussion: How is the judgment of the Lord seen with the wicked and the righteous?

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Blessed are the Children of God—Proverbs 15:23–24, 30–31, 33

These verses deal with the attributes of the children of God. A Christian, because God’s Word is written upon his heart, is able to give a right reply to a question put to him. He is able to, at the right time, to give good counsel. Ethically and morally, he is being molded by the Word of God. Heaven and hell stand before the Christian. To whom shall we look for our salvation? It is the Lord who has turned our hearts to Himself. Elijah prayed to the Lord, saying, “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that the people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again” (1 Kings 18:37). And when the people saw the fire of the Lord consume the sacrifice, they fell on their faces, saying, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is the God!” (18:39).

Isn’t this what it is all about? The Lord, He is God! He must be dealt with by the wicked, and so they deny Him. The righteous, God’s children, look only to Him. He gives light to our eyes, rejoicing our hearts. Our ears are given hearing that we may know life. We have learned that “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom.” Therefore we come honor Him as our Father.

Therefore, pray! At a prayer meeting, Robert Murray McCheyne motivated his congregation to pray for God’s ministers that “they may be filled with the Holy Spirit, and made insatiably greedy for the salvation of souls, and that the Word of God preached on the Sabbath may rise and be glorified till the whole world bow the knee at the name of Jesus.” He continued, speaking to the souls of those present, “Oh, you that have had your eyes opened to see your lost condition by nature and by wicked works, you that have been drawn by the Father to believe in Jesus, to wash in the blood of the Lamb, and to put on the righteousness of God; oh! Pray with all your heart that your dear friends may be brought to take the peace you feel, that your enemies may be brought to the same Savior, and that all the world may be brought to know Him, whom to know is life eternal.”

Discussion: What are some of the blessings of being a child of God?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2011 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.