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SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8-1st Quarter 2024--Wisdom for Righteous Living

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Richard Myers:
Wednesday  February 21
Deceitfulness of the Wicked Way

Read Psalms 141:1-10. What does the psalmist pray for?

Psalms 141:1-10 is a prayer for protection from temptations from within and from without. The psalmist is not only endangered by the schemes of the wicked (Psalms 141:9-10) but also is tempted to act like the wicked. The first weak point is self-control in speech, and the psalmist prays that the Lord will keep watch over the door of his lips (Psalms 141:3). This image alludes to the guarding of city gates that, in biblical times, protected the city.

The temptation is also whether God’s child will yield to the counsel of the righteous or be lured by the delicacies of the wicked (Psalms 141:4-5). The psalmist depicts his heart as a primary threat because there the real battle happens. Only unceasing prayer of complete trust and devotion to God can save God’s child from temptation (Psalms 141:1-2).

Read Psalms 1:1; Psalms 141:4. How is the progressive and cunning character of temptation depicted here?

Psalms 141:4 depicts the progressive nature of temptation. First, the heart is inclined toward evil. Second, it practices evil deeds (the meaning in Hebrew underlines the repetitive character of the action). Third, the heart eats of the delicacies of the wicked, namely, accepts their evil practices as something desirable.

Likewise, in Psalms 1:1 the temptation comes to prevent God’s child from walking in the Lord’s way by causing him to walk with the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, and, finally, sit with the scornful. Sinners, wicked, and scornful: we are not to be like them or let them lead us away from the Lord.

These psalms describe the progressive, alluring, and cunning character of temptation, which underscores the fact that only total dependency on the Lord can secure one’s victory. They stress the importance of the words that one speaks, and listens to, amid temptation. The end of both the wicked and the righteous should teach the people to seek wisdom from God (Psalms 1:4-6; Psalms 141:8-10). Yet, in both psalms, the final vindication of God’s children remains in the future. This means that the believers are called to patiently trust God and to wait upon Him.

Richard Myers:
Thursday  February 22
Blessings of Righteous Living

Read Psalms 1:1-3; Psalms 112:1-9; Psalms 128:1-6. What blessings are promised for those who revere the Lord?

Of the many blessings promised to those who revere the Lord, peace is perhaps one of the greatest. Psalms 1:1-6 depicts the righteous by a simile of a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruits in season and whose leaf does not wither (Psalms 1:3; Jeremiah 17:7-8; ). This simile identifies the source of all blessings, namely, abiding in God’s presence in His sanctuary and enjoying uninterrupted and loving relationship with God. Unlike the wicked, who are portrayed as chaff, with no stability, place, and future, the righteous are like a fruitful tree with roots, a place near God and eternal life.

Psalms 128:2-3 evokes the blessings of the Messianic kingdom, where sitting under one’s own vine and fig tree is a symbol of peace and prosperity (Micah 4:4). The blessing of peace upon Jerusalem (Psalms 122:6-8; Psalms 128:5-6) conveys hope in the Messiah, who will end evil and restore peace in the world.

“In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called ‘a country.’ Hebrews 11:14-16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 675.

The New Testament describes the fulfillment of that hope in Christ’s second advent and the creation of the new world (Matthew 26:29; ). Therefore, while the righteous receive many blessings in this life, the fullness of God’s favor awaits them when God’s kingdom is fully restored at the end of time.

Why is the Cross, and what happened there, the guarantee of the promises found in the New Testament of what God has in store for us? How can we get comfort from those promises even now?

Richard Myers:
Friday  February 23
Further Thought

In these modern times, obtaining wisdom seems not to be so desirable as achieving happiness. People would rather be happy than wise. However, can we truly be happy and live a fulfilled life without godly wisdom? The Psalms clearly say that we cannot. The good news is that we are not asked to choose between wisdom and happiness. Godly wisdom brings genuine happiness.

Amen!

A simple example from the Hebrew language can illustrate this point. In Hebrew, the word “step” in plural (’ashurey) sounds very much like the word “happiness” (’ashrey). Although we miss this association in English translations, it conveys a powerful message: “steps” holding to God’s path lead to a “happy” life (Psalms 1:1; Psalms 17:5; Psalms 37:31; Psalms 44:18; Psalms 89:15; Psalms 119:1). In the Bible, neither wisdom nor happiness are an abstract concept, but a real experience.

They are found in relationship with God, which consists of revering, praising, finding strength in, and trusting God. Psalms 25:14 says that “the secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant” (NKJV).

“Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us. Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love, that we may look upon them continually: The Son of God leaving His Father’s throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite God, and having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted to His throne—these are the pictures which God would have us contemplate.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 118.

"Look upon them continually."  Amen! That is our part in the plan of salvation! To see His love is to be saved by His grace. Thus, it would be very good to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus.

Discussion Questions

    How can God’s Word become the source of one’s delight and not merely instruction? How is feeding on God’s Word related to abiding in Jesus Christ, the Word (John 1:1; John 15:5; John 15:7)?

The Word is a revelation of the character of God. Feeding upon Jesus is what Jesus said we ought to do. By beholding His glory we are changed into His image (character). Read 2 Cor. 3:18. And memorize it.

    What happens when people consciously and constantly reject God’s teaching (Psalms 81:1-16; Psalms 95:1-11)? Why do you think that happens?

    Why can the way of the wicked sometimes appear more desirable than the counsel of the righteous (Psalms 141:1-10)? That is, how do we deal with the apparent fact that oftentimes the wicked seem to be doing very well?

It all depends upon who we love, or what we love. If we love the Lord our God with all of the heart, then we do not desire the things of this world, but to help sinners know God. Those who reject God's Word and His love can be given great things, just as Satan offered Jesus great things. But, Satan brings misery and death to the wicked. Having the riches of this world do not bring true happiness, but death.

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