Further Study: When indulging their appetite for wine and while under its exciting stimulus, their reason was clouded, and they could not discern the difference between the sacred and the common. Contrary to God’s express direction, they [Nadab and Abihu] dishonored Him by offering common instead of sacred fire. God visited them with His wrath; … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 31:26–31. What other important characteristics are seen in this woman? Why are these important for all of us, regardless of who we are? As we have seen all through this quarter, an emphasis is placed on words, on what we say. The woman is known for her wisdom and for her kindness. They … Continue reading –>
Introduction. Stay away from trouble by leaving strong drink alone. Drunkenness is a state of being that simply doesn’t fit with a Christ-centered lifestyle. Ironic, but I’m starting to write my 15th book. Its title, The Alcohol Trap. Another irony is that in some parts of the US and elsewhere, the consumption of alcoholic beverages by … Continue reading –>
The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is not lazy; she works hard and is very active. The poem insists on this quality (Prov. 31:27) , which characterizes the wise versus the fool (Prov. 6:6; Prov. 24:33-34) . The field of her activities is comprehensive and concrete. To be spiritual does not mean that we should … Continue reading –>
While Seventh-day Adventists have a health and temperance message to give to the world, God has been using His people in every church and age to spread this message. A while back, I visited the Congregational church in Litchfield, Connecticut, which was formed back in the 1700’s. When I got home, I googled the history … Continue reading –>
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies (Prov. 31:10) . Who is the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:10? A number of indications suggest that the author has more in mind than a godly woman or the ideal wife. Following the lead of many passages of the book (Prov. 1:20–33, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The lifestyle choices we make are not trivial issues, but have major effects. It is best to follow God’s lifestyle directives. [Lesson plan for Women and Wine March 23, 2015] 1. Have a volunteer read Proverbs 31:3-5,8,9. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this … Continue reading –>
It is always good to ask at the end of a study session, “What have we learned?” In the case of this quarter’s lessons, which is essentially about wisdom, perhaps we could phrase the question, “Are we wiser now or just more knowledgeable?” We did discuss the difference between knowledge and wisdom at the beginning … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 31:6-7. How are we to understand these texts? A quick reading of these verses gives the impression that Lemuel’s mother allows the consumption of wine or any other alcohol for the person who is about to die (Prov. 31:6) or for the person who suffers from depression (Prov. 31:7). This reading, however, would … Continue reading –>
In many cultures, drinking alcohol is associated with life. People raise a glass and wish one another a long life, though the irony is that each glass works toward destroying life. Nicely designed bottles, poetic and funny drinking songs, clever commercials, and even some scientific findings all comfort drinkers in their idea that alcohol is good … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Proverbs 31, Job 29:15, Proverbs 8, 1 Cor. 1:21, Rev. 14:13. Memory Text: Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink (Proverbs 31:3-4, NKJV). … Continue reading –>
Studying this week’s Sabbath School lesson, on the humility of the wise, reminded me of a conversation I had, during fellowship dinner in a church I spoke in. A mother told me she was always pushing her daughter to do her best, and win awards and honor roll certificates. She would brag about how wonderful … Continue reading –>
