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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
International Lesson Commentary AUGUST 6, 1944 ' POWER THROUGH SELF-DISCIPLINE (Temperance Lesson) P roverbs 1:7-10; J eremiah 35:5-10; 1 C orinthians 9:24-27; 1 T hessalonians 5:22
Outline and Exposition ■ B. B. S utcliffe Points and Problems H omer A. K ent Golden Text Illustration A lan S. P earce Blackboard Lesson G retchén S ibley Object Lesson - E lmer L. W ilder Children’s Division M ildred M. C ook
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Lesson material is based on outlines of International Sunday S c h o o l Lessons, copyrighted by International Council of Reli gious Education ; used by per mission. they were free from their obligations. Neither their place r.or circumstances could alter the promise they had given. This example of loyalty and obe dience gave Jeremiah, the occasion to rebuke Israel for her disobedience to God. III. P ower T hrough T emperance t (1 C or . 9:24-27) The Christian life is compared to a race, or to a contest in which a prize is in view. It should be borne in mind that to qualify for the race, one must have received, as a gift —wholly apart from any human merit—the salvation which Christ’s atoning work provides. But, to the born-again child of God, rewards are promised for service; it is possible to win them, and they can be won by any person who is willing to pay the price of winning. In the world of sport, the athlete’s training is long and strenuous, demanding strict self-control. In like manner, the Christian -must learn self-discipline in his Christian life. Knowing that the appetites of the body, if given rein, would interfere with success in the spiritual race, the Apostle declared, “I keep under my body” (v. 27), or spar with it, “bruise!’ it, or buffet it- (v. 27, R.V.), in order to keep the body under control. The picture is that of a boxing match , (v. 26, R.V., marg.). . , Further self-discipline must be exercised lest one become a “ cast away” (v. 27), or “rejected” (R. V-.). When Paul used this strong term, he did not mean that there was danger of nls> losing his salvation. Since
The receiving of the instruction of the father and the teaching of •the mother (cf. .R.V., marg.) will produce ornaments for one’s character. They are the ornaments of the inner man, and are revealed) in the Wisdom by which the life is lived. Moreover, the wisdom that flows from the fear of the Lord produces courage and strength to refuse con sent to the enticements of sinners. This stalwartness of purpose is a fundamental need today, especially among the youth of the land. Lacking the fear of the Lord—that is, reveren tial trust in Him—they become easy victims of Satan, who is busy working through his agents and enticing into sin. II. P ower T hrough O bedience (J er . 35:5-10) To recall Israel from disobedience to God, who was Israel’s heavenly Father, Jeremiah- was told to tempt the Rechabites to disobey Rechab, who was their father. God desired that their exhibition of obedience should be an object lesson to Israel. Jeremiah t lerefore set wine before the Rechabites and urged them to drink. But they would not touch it, because of their promise to obey their father’s command. They did not think, because they were away from home,
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but foots despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear 'the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. . Jeremiah 35:5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups; and I said unto them, Drink ye wine: 6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ve shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever: 7 Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed; nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but alt your days ye shall dwell in tents; "that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers. 8 Thus have, we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; 9 Nor to build houses for us to dwell in; neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: 10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one re- celveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do It to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fioht I. not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep .under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain' from all appearance of evil. GOLDEN T E X T : "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things” (1 Cor. 9:25). D E V O TIO N A L R EAD ING : Eph. 6:10-20. Outline and Exposition I. P ower T hrough K nowledge (P rov . 1:7-10) T HE FEAR of the Lord is the the reverence or awt that induces lis tening to His instruction and following His teaching!
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chief part of knowledge” (v. 7, R.V., marg.). This "fear” does not mean cringing dread or terror, but
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