Bible Lessons

Proverbs 22
A man of unbounded wealth (2 Chronicles 1:12; 9:13-2812Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. (2 Chronicles 1:12)
13Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; 14Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. 15And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target. 16And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. 17Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. 18And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays: 19And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom. 20And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon. 21For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. 22And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. 24And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. 25And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 26And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. 27And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance. 28And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands. (2 Chronicles 9:13‑28)) tells his judgment about riches in verse 1; we do .well to take heed to it as the word of God, for the love of money is a root of every evil and godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:1010For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10) and 6).
In verse 3 we observe an apt picture of the ' Christian and of those who neglect salvation' (Hebrews 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)). The Christian has been prudent; foreseeing the evil to come, he has fled for refuge (Hebrews 6.18-20) to Christ whom God has provided for the guilty (see Numbers 35:99And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, (Numbers 35:9) and following, and Romans 5:8, 98But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8‑9)), there finding that there is no condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)). The “simple” refuse to be alarmed about the wrath to come (Matthew 3:7,7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7) John 3:36,36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36) Romans 1:18,18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18) Colossians 3:66For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (Colossians 3:6)), and pass on, and are punished.
If verse 3 gives the choice between the narrow path which leads to life eternal and the broad road so many are choosing, which leads to judgment, verses 4 and 5 make plain for the young Christian,—and the old one too,—how to live in a world which is full of snares for the unwary. He that keeps his soul holds himself far from them.
Verse 6 (see also verse 15) is the scriptural guide for parents, with Ephesians 6:44And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) and Colossians 3:2121Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:21). The present is a day of independence of authority and of neglect of home responsibilities, but the Christian who is wise will hold to God’s Word in regard to his children as well as to all else.
Though the practice of endorsing a friend’s note for payment of a debt is very common, it will be noticed that the Book of Proverbs several times speaks against it. as in verse 26.
Messages of God’s Love 8/21/1932