Lesson 228 - Junior

Memory Verse

"She openeth her month with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness" ([PRO:31:26]).

Notes

The Wise Man

When Solomon became king of Israel, he felt his helplessness before God, and he prayed, "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in" (I Kings 3:7). In that prayer he asked for wisdom rather thanfor riches and honour for himself. God answered: "I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee,neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee" (I Kings 3:12). It was this wise man who wrote most of the Book of Proverbs.

Instructions to Young People

With this God"given wisdom Solomon could teach young people how to live a happy and successful life. He believed that if children and young people were taught right, and they began their lives in obedience to God, they would grow up to be good men and women. If young people today had no other moral instruction than that which they find in the Book of proverbs, they would learn all they need to know to make them successful in life. King Solomon said in one of his proverbs: "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: . . . so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:1"4).

A Good Mother

After Solomon had written thousands of proverbs, near the end of his book he wrote something different. He showed his appreciation of a good mother. He did not consider himself a special child who had been so instructed by God that he did not need to listen to his mother. In his wisdom he knew that"a good mother is a priceless heritage of any child.

The price of an honourable woman is far above rubies. In other words, she is worth more than any money. Would you not rather have a good mother who is poor, than to have a rich mother who would not teach you about Jesus? A sad thing is that many times neither the poor nor the rich parents teach their children the commandments of God.

Appreciation of a Christian Mother

Too often children do not appreciate a Christian mother. While they are young, they may sometimes even be ashamed of her. The command of God is to honour our parents; and when we get a little older we see how much trouble they have saved us, how much good their prayers have done; and if we have the love of God in our hearts we do honour them even though they may be poor and uneducated in the ways of the world. Their price is "above rubies" when we realize that it was for our good that we were taught to work, and to respect the commands of older people. We can understand what was wrong in the worldly amusements that our mothers kept us away from. Children with appreciation of a godly mother will "arise up, and call her blessed."

Solomon, the man of wisdom, said, "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother" (Proverbs 15:20); and, "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old" (Proverbs 23:22).

Christ's Example

Jesus gave us a good example for all children to follow. He"was the Son of God from the very beginning, and He had the wisdom of Heaven. He was equal with God and had been with His Father in an eternity. And yet, during the time He was growing up, He obeyed His mother. Even after He had surprised the wise rabbis in the Temple with His understanding of the Scriptures, when He was twelve years old, He went back home with His mother and father, and was "subject unto them" (Luke 2:51). He, the Son of God, was obedient to His earthly parents, and He has given an example ofhow all children should behave.

God has commanded that children must obey their parents "in the Lord" (Ephesians 6:1). If ungodly parents teach their children to steal and lie, Jesus is not pleased; and such commands should not be obeyed. We must obey God first.

The Virtues of a Good Mother

In this proverb we are told the virtues of an ideal woman. She will always be good to her husband, and never do anything that will make him ashamed. She is not lazy, but works willingly, enjoying what she can do for others. She is good to her children, loving them, and making good clothes for them, and giving them the food they need to make them healthy. She is able to manage her household so she has something left over for the poor. She does not worry about a cold winter ahead, because she has prepared the warm clothing for her family, so that they will not suffer. She does not neglect the work of the Lord in order to lay up wealth for a "rainy day," but she is diligent and thoughtful of her needs so she can be calm and. contented when the unusual happens.

Sleeping When the Wind Blows

A story is told of a farmer who wanted to hire a man to work on his farm. One applicant gave as his recommendation, "I can sleep when the wind blows." The farmer was interested in the answer, and hired him to see what he meant. Day after day the hired man worked faithfully and well; there was nothing unusual in his behaviour. But one night a great windstorm arose, and the farmer was awakened by the noise of barn doors slamming, and cows and chickens milling about. Straw from an out-door strawstack was flying through the air. And the hired man was sound asleep. All he said when the farmer awakened him was, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Then the farmer realised that it was his neighbour's live­stock that was making the commotion. His own barn doors were securely fastened and the cattle safe inside. His chickens were all on their roost. The strawstack was tied down tight. His hired man had prepared for the storm, and did not have to worry when it came.

So is the mother who is looking well to the ways of her household. Not only in the physical needs can she be prepared, but she is looking to the conduct of her children while they are small, so they will know how to be obedient and good when they grow older. She prepares them for the dangers and temptations they will have to face, so that they will recognise the sins and know how to resist them.

This virtuous woman looked carefully for a field, which she could buy. She then planted it with good fruit for food for the winter, and for profit in the market. With all this work, she did not become cross when she was tired. "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." She not only spoke kindly to her children, but it was her rule for them to be kind to one another.

The Bride of Christ

We can compare this virtuous woman with the Bride of Christ, the true child of God. Jesus is the Bridegroom, and He can trust His Bride, the true Church, not to dishonour Him here in the world. The Christian is living so that Jesus will not be ashamed of him.

The Bride of Christ is working diligently to spread the news of salvation. She first trains her children to please Jesus, living before them an example of a Christian life. Then she tells her neighbours and other people she meets about Jesus' love for them and His desire to save them from their sins.

The Bride of Christ is not satisfied with the things of this world, but is drawing her food "from afar." That means that the really important things in her life are things of Heaven, and the "joy of the LORD" is her strength. She prays to God for wisdom, and studies the Bible In order to know the will of God. Job said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). We must realize that the Bible is our Guide to Heaven and must have the top place in our lives,

The Lord has great pleasure in His Church, His Bride. We should each one try our best to live so that He will never be disappointed in us. We want the world to see by our conduct that we belong to Jesus.

Questions

1. Who wrote the Book of Proverbs?
2. Why was he wise?
3. To whom are most of his instructions given?
4. What is God's law for children?
5. Name some of the virtues of a good mother.
6. Who is the Bride of Christ?
7. Whom is she trying to please?