Lesson
12
December 16 -
22
Drink From Your Own
Spring
Memory
Text:
(Prov
31:30 NIV) Charm is deceptive,
and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be
praised.
Sabbath
Afternoon
(Prov 21:19
NKJV) Better to dwell in the
wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
(Prov 31:10-31
NKJV) Who can find a virtuous
wife? For her worth is far above rubies. {11} The heart of her husband safely
trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. {12} She does him good and not
evil All the days of her life. {13} She seeks wool and flax, And willingly
works with her hands. {14} She is like the merchant ships, She brings her
food from afar. {15} She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food
for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. {16} She considers
a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. {17} She girds
herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. {18} She perceives that
her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. {19} She
stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. {20}
She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
{21} She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is
clothed with scarlet. {22} She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is
fine linen and purple. {23} Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits
among the elders of the land. {24} She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants. {25} Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come. {26} She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness. {27} She watches over the ways
of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. {28} Her children
rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: {29}
"Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." {30} Charm is deceitful
and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
{Prov 31:31} Give her of the fruit
of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the
gates.
Sunday
Marriage – A
Divine Masterpiece, Part 1
(Prov 19:14
NKJV) Houses and riches are
an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the
LORD.
(Gen 2:18-23
NKJV) And the LORD God said,
"It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable
to him." {19} Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field
and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would
call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.
{20} So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every
beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable
to him. {21} And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he
slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
{22} Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman,
and He brought her to the man. {23} And Adam said: "This is now bone of my
bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken
out of Man."
(Gen 2:23
NKJV) And Adam said: "This is
now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because
she was taken out of Man."
(Gen 2:24
NIV) For this reason a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become
one flesh.
(Gen 2:24
NKJV) Therefore a man shall
leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become
one flesh.
(Gen 1:28
NIV) God blessed them and said
to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living
creature that moves on the ground."
(Gen 1:28
NKJV) Then God blessed them,
and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue
it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and
over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Monday
Marriage – A
Divine Masterpiece, Part 2
(Eph 5:21-31
NKJV) submitting to one another
in the fear of God. {22} Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
{23} For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church;
and He is the Savior of the body. {24} Therefore, just as the church is subject
to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. {25}
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for her, {26} that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing
of water by the word, {27} that He might present her to Himself a glorious
church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should
be holy and without blemish. {28} So husbands ought to love their own wives
as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. {29} For no one
ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord
does the church. {30} For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of
His bones.
{Eph 5:31} "For this reason a man
shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two
shall become one flesh."
(2 Cor 6:14
NKJV) Do not be unequally yoked
together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
(Prov 12:7
NKJV) The wicked are overthrown
and are no more, But the house of the righteous will
stand.
(Gen 3:16
NKJV) To the woman He said:
"I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall
bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall
rule over you."
(Eph 5:25-33
NKJV) Husbands, love your
wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
{26} that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by
the word, {27} that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not
having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and
without blemish. {28} So husbands ought to love their own wives as their
own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. {29} For no one ever hated
his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the
church. {30} For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
{31} "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined
to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." {32} This is a great mystery,
but I speak concerning Christ and the church. {33} Nevertheless let each
one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife
see that she respects her husband.
The Ministry
of Healing, p. 361
Around every family there is a sacred circle that should be kept unbroken.
Within this circle no other person has a right to come. Let not the husband
or the wife permit another to share the confidences that belong solely to
themselves. {MH
361.1}
Let each give love rather than exact it. Cultivate that which is noblest
in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities in each other.
The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful stimulus and satisfaction.
Sympathy and respect encourage the striving after excellence, and love itself
increases as it stimulates to nobler
aims. {MH
361.2}
Neither the husband nor the wife should merge his or her individuality
in that of the other. Each has a personal relation to God. Of Him each is
to ask, "What is right?" "What is wrong?" "How may I best fulfill life's
purpose?" Let the wealth of your affection flow forth to Him who gave His
life for you. Make Christ first and last and best in everything. As your
love for Him becomes deeper and stronger, your love for each other will be
purified and strengthened. {MH
361.3}
The spirit that Christ manifests toward us is the spirit that husband
and wife are to manifest toward each other. "As Christ also hath loved us,"
"walk in love." "As the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ
also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." Ephesians 5:2, 24,
25. {MH 361.4}
Neither the husband nor the wife should attempt to exercise over the
other an arbitrary control. Do not try to compel each other to yield to your
wishes. You cannot do this and retain each other's love. Be kind, patient,
and forbearing, considerate, and courteous. By the grace of God you can succeed
in making each other happy, as in your marriage vow you promised to
do. (p. 362) {MH
361.5}
Tuesday
Strange
Perversion
(Prov 2:1
NKJV) My son, if you receive
my words, And treasure my commands within you,
(Prov 2:16-19
NKJV) To deliver you from the
immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, {17} Who
forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God.
{18} For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead; {19} None
who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of
life;
(Prov 5:1-13
NKJV) My son, pay attention
to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding, {2} That you may preserve
discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge. {3} For the lips of an immoral
woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; {4} But in the end
she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. {5} Her feet go down
to death, Her steps lay hold of hell. {6} Lest you ponder her path of life;
Her ways are unstable; You do not know them. {7} Therefore hear me now, my
children, And do not depart from the words of my mouth. {8} Remove your way
far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, {9} Lest you give
your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one; {10} Lest aliens be
filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
{11} And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed, {12}
And say: "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!
{13} I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those
who instructed me!
(Prov 6:23-33
NKJV) For the commandment is
a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
{24} To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
{25} Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with
her eyelids. {26} For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of
bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. {27} Can a man
take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? {28} Can one walk
on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? {29} So is he who goes in to his
neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent. {30} People do
not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
{31} Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give
up all the substance of his house. {32} Whoever commits adultery with a woman
lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul. {33} Wounds and
dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped
away.
(Prov 7:4-27
NKJV) Say to wisdom, "You are
my sister," And call understanding your nearest kin, {5} That they may keep
you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.
{6} For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, {7} And saw
among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of
understanding, {8} Passing along the street near her corner; And he took
the path to her house {9} In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and
dark night. {10} And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot,
and a crafty heart. {11} She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not
stay at home. {12} At times she was outside, at times in the open square,
Lurking at every corner. {13} So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent
face she said to him: {14} "I have peace offerings with me; Today I have
paid my vows. {15} So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face,
And I have found you. {16} I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings
of Egyptian linen. {17} I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
{18} Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves
with love. {19} For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;
{20} He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed
day." {21} With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering
lips she seduced him. {22} Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to
the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, {23} Till an
arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it
would cost his life. {24} Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention
to the words of my mouth: {25} Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;
(Prov 7:26-27} For she has cast down
many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. {27} Her house
is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.
(Prov 5:15
NIV) Drink water from your own
cistern, running water from your own well.
(Prov 5:18
NIV) May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
(Prov 5:15
NKJV) Drink water from your
own cistern, And running water from your own well.
(Prov 5:18
NKJV) Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
(Mat 5:27-30
NKJV) "You have heard that it
was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' {28} "But I say
to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed
adultery with her in his heart. {29} "If your right eye causes you to sin,
pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
{30} "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from
you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than
for your whole body to be cast into hell.
(Exo 20:14
NKJV) "You shall not commit
adultery.
Wednesday
A Quarrelsome
Spouse
(Prov 27:15
NKJV) A continual dripping on
a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;
(Prov 21:9
NKJV) Better to dwell in a corner
of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious
woman.
(Prov 21:19
NKJV) Better to dwell in the
wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
(Eph 4:29
NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed
out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may
impart grace to the hearers.
Language to Be an Outward Expression of Inward Grace.--The chief requisite
of language is that it be pure and kind and true--"the outward expression
of an inward grace." . . . The best school for this language study is the
home. {AH
435.1}
Kind words are as dew and gentle showers to the soul. The Scripture
says of Christ that grace was poured into His lips, that He might "know how
to speak a word in season to him that is weary." And the Lord bids us, "Let
your speech be alway with grace," "that it may minister grace unto the
hearers." {AH
435.2}
Voice Culture Should Be Given in the Home.-- Instruction in vocal
culture should be given in the home circle. Parents should teach their children
to speak so plainly that those who are listening can understand every word
that is said. They should teach them to read the Bible in clear, distinct
utterance, in a way that will honor God. And let not those who kneel round
the family altar put their faces in their hands and in their chair when they
address God. Let them lift up their heads and, with holy awe and boldness,
come to the throne of grace. {AH
435.3}
Be pure in speech. Cultivate a soft and persuasive, not a harsh and
dictatorial, tone of voice. Give the children lessons in voice culture.
The Adventist Home, p. 435
(continued)
Train their habits of speech, until
no coarse or rough words will come spontaneously from their lips when any
trial comes to them. {AH
435.4}
Voice culture is a subject that has much to do with the health of
students. The youth should be taught how to breathe properly and how to read
in such a way that no unnatural strain shall come on the throat and lungs,
but that the work shall be shared by the abdominal muscles. Speaking from
the throat, letting the sound come from the upper part of the vocal organs,
impairs the health of (p. 436) these organs and decreases their efficiency.
The abdominal muscles are to do the heaviest part of the labor, the throat
being used as a channel. Many have died who might have lived had they been
taught how to use the voice correctly. The right use of the abdominal muscles
in reading and speaking will prove a remedy for many voice and chest difficulties
and the means of prolonging life.
{AH 435.5}
Thursday
A Virtuous
Spouse
(Prov 31:10
NIV) A wife of noble character
who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
(Prov 31:10
NKJV) Who can find a virtuous
wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
(Prov 31:13
NKJV) She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
(Prov 31:17, 18
NKJV) She girds herself with
strength, And strengthens her arms. {18} She perceives that her merchandise
is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
(Prov 31:27
NKJV) She watches over the ways
of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
(Prov 31:14
NKJV) She is like the merchant
ships, She brings her food from afar.
(Prov 31:16
NKJV) She considers a field
and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
(Prov 31:20
NKJV) She extends her hand to
the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
(Prov 31:24
NKJV) She makes linen garments
and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
(Prov 31:26
NKJV) She opens her mouth with
wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
(Prov 31:22 NKJV)
She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
(Prov 31:25
NKJV) Strength and honor are
her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
(Prov 31:13
NKJV) She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
(Prov 31:28-30
NKJV) Her children rise up and
call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: {29} "Many daughters
have done well, But you excel them all." {30} Charm is deceitful and beauty
is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be
praised.
Friday
(Prov 31:26
NKJV) She opens her mouth with
wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Ellen G. White
Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1164
Now is the time of trial, of test, of proving. Those who like Saul,
will persist in having their own way, will suffer as he did, loss of honor,
and finally the loss of the soul (Letter 13,
1892). {3BC
1164.1}
Chapter 31
26. The Law of Kindness
on Your Lips.--The Lord will help every one of us where we need help the
most in the grand work of overcoming and conquering self. Let the law of
kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart. This will
produce wonderful results. You will be tender, sympathetic, courteous. You
need all these graces. The Holy Spirit must be received and brought into
your character; then it will be as holy fire, giving forth incense which
will rise up to God, not from lips that condemn, but as a healer of the souls
of men. Your countenance will express the image of the divine. No sharp,
critical, blunt, or severe words should be spoken. This is common fire, and
must be left out of all our councils and intercourse with our brethren. God
requires every soul in His service to kindle their censers from the coals
of sacred fire. The common, severe, harsh words that come from your lips
so readily must be withheld, and the Spirit of God speak through the human
agent. By beholding the character of Christ you will become changed into
His likeness. The grace of Christ alone can change your heart and then you
will reflect the image of the Lord Jesus. God calls upon us to be like
Him,--pure, holy, and undefiled. We are to bear the divine image (Letter
84, 1899). {3BC
1164.2}
(Col. 3:12, 13.) Live the Law of Kindness.--The Lord Jesus is our
only helper. Through His grace we shall learn to cultivate love, to educate
ourselves to speak kindly and tenderly. Through His grace our cold, harsh
manners will be transformed. The law of kindness will be upon our lips, and
those who are under the precious influences of the Holy Spirit, will not
feel that it is an evidence of weakness to weep with those who weep, to rejoice
with them that rejoice. We are to cultivate heavenly excellences of character.
We are to learn what it means to have good-will toward all men, a sincere
desire to be as sunshine and not as shadow in the lives of
others. {3BC
1164.3}
My brethren, let your hearts become broken and contrite. Let expressions
of sympathy and love, which will not blister the tongue, flow from your lips.
Let others feel that warmth which love can create in the heart, and educate
the professed disciples of Christ to correct the evils that have so long
existed,--selfishness, coldness, and hardheartedness. All these traits reveal
the fact that Christ is not abiding in the soul [Col. 3:12, 13 quoted] (RH
Jan. 2, 1894). {3BC
1164.4}
27 (Isa. 65:21-23). No Idle Believers.--The Bible does not acknowledge
a believer who is idle, however high his profession may be. There will be
employment in heaven. The redeemed state is not one of idle repose. There
remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God, but it is a rest found in
loving service (Letter 203, 1905).
{3BC 1164.5}
Ecclesiastes
Solomon's Mournful Autobiography.--The book of Ecclesiastes was written
by Solomon in his old age, after he had fully proved that all the pleasures
earth is able to give are empty and unsatisfying. He there shows how impossible
it is for the vanities of the world to meet the longings of the soul. His
conclusion is that it is wisdom to enjoy with gratitude the good gifts of
God, and to do right; for all our works will be brought into
judgment. {3BC
1164.6}
Solomon's autobiography is a mournful one. He gives us the history
of his search for happiness. He engaged in intellectual (p. 1165) pursuits;
he gratified his love for pleasure; he carried out his schemes of commercial
enterprise. He was surrounded by the fascinating splendor of court life.
All that the carnal heart could desire was at his command; yet he sums up
his experience in this sad record: [Eccl. 1:14-2:11 quoted] (HR June,
1878). {3BC
1164.7}