GOD'S LAW IS BINDING UPON ALL CREATION.Because Proverbs is such a practical book, it tends to deal with absolutes and ultimates. In effect, it says to us, "This is what will happen if you do that." We see this in its references to God's law. The guidelines for human life, as well as the principles governing matter and energy, are in accordance with this law.

Of course, there are always some who choose to disregard God's law. Solomon calls such people "fools," because in their quest for freedom, they become victims and captives. We cannot break God's law without suffering the consequences. Because it stands forever, the results of choosing to disregard it are inevitable.

As you study this week's lesson, remember that our salvation rests upon our willingness to enter into a faith relationship with God that results in conformity to His law.

THE WEEK AT A GLANCE:

I. The Divine Standard, Part 1 (Prov. 3:1-8).
II. The Divine Standard, Part 2 (Rom. 7:12, 14).
III. The Folly of Lawlessness (Prov. 15:21).
IV. The Reaping Time, Part 1 (Prov. 22:8).
V. The Reaping Time, Part 2 (Prov. 11:3; 15:25).

Why is it important to live by God's law? How can we obey His law?

Texts	Why Is It Important To Live By God's Law?	How Can We Live By God's Law?
Prov. 3:1-8  Prov. 4:1-4  Prov. 6:20-23  Prov. 7:1-5  Prov. 13:13-15

In the book of Proverbs, we listen to a wise father teaching his child about God's law. Proverbs includes mothers as teachers of God's law, as it does all adults in Israel. Such teaching impresses upon young minds the great truths of God's Word, never to be erased.

What attributes of God's law does Paul mention in Romans 7:12, 14?

All of God's laws work in harmony with each other and reveal His character of love and the order in His kingdom. The laws of nature are God's laws as surely as is the Decalogue. No conflict exists between true religion and true science, for God is the Author of both.

How does Psalm 19:1-3, 7 illustrate the working of God's law?

"We would do well to read often the nineteenth psalm that we may understand how the Lord binds up His law with His created works."—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1143.

Just as a thistle lies dormant in its seed, so death is inherently bound up in sin. The declaration, "The soul who sins is the one who will die" (Ezek. 18:4, NIV) is not a threat of punishment but a warning of natural consequences. While God desires obedience born of love rather than of fear, at the same time He wants us to be able to make intelligent choices. He tells us what will be the ultimate consequence of obedience and disobedience and leaves us free to decide between the two.

How do Isaiah 5:1, 2 and Matthew 21:33 symbolize God's law?

The vineyard represents God's chosen people, Israel. "To this people were committed the oracles of God. They were hedged about by the precepts of His law, the everlasting principles of truth, justice, and purity. Obedience to these principles was to be their protection, for it would save them from destroying themselves by sinful practices."—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 287, 288.

"That law of ten precepts of the greatest love that can be presented to man is the voice of God from heaven speaking to the soul in promise, 'This do, and you will not come under the dominion and control of Satan.' There is not a negative in that law, although it may appear thus. It is DO, and Live."—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1105.

The book of Proverbs refers to fools, folly, and foolishness in 84 verses. This is 9 percent of the book. The authors of Proverbs must have been impressed with the seriousness of being a fool!

How does the fool relate to wisdom and understanding? Prov. 17:16, 24; 23:9; 24:7.

"In the gate they do not open their mouths" (Prov. 24:7, NRSV). "The wise men and judges sat in counsel in the city gates, where business was made legal and public matters were discussed. The fool would have nothing to contribute.

'Silence is the virtue of fools.' It is also a virtue of the wise (see 17:27). So a silent fool and a wise man can very seldom be told apart. As long as a fool keeps quiet and nods wisely now and again, he can enjoy the esteem held out to a wise man of sound judgment and few words (17:28). If the fool, however, picked up this pearl of wisdom in a rare moment of attention in the classroom, we should not be too hopeful that he will keep his mouth shut. He could not possibly conceive that it applied to him. In any case, he has a happy knack of picking up words of wisdom and letting them drop at all the wrong times and places. He thinks he is being very clever when he can come out with a pithy saying, but it invariably falls flat on its face (26:7) and makes not the slightest impact (26:9). So even if the fool says something wise, his sense of timing will usually give him away."—Kenneth T. Aitken, Proverbs (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986), pp. 98, 99.

Proverbs mentions several things that are inappropriate for a fool. List the ones found in Proverbs 19:10; 26:1, 7-9.

What sharp contrasts between the righteous and the wicked does Proverbs draw?

Prov. 10:24, 25 _________________________

Prov. 10:27-30 __________________________

Prov. 11:6 _____________________________

God is the ultimate Source of truth, righteousness, and everlasting life. To commit oneself to His principles, to choose righteousness as a way of life, to follow His directions for success, and live with Him in a fellowship of trust and admiration is to connect one's soul with the Infinite One and share in His life. On the other hand, to choose a lifestyle opposed to the principles of life, to despise righteousness and live for self, is to cut off one's soul from its Source, a choice which ultimately can end only in destruction.

By what are all people judged, and according to what are they rewarded? Why? Prov. 12:14; 24:12; James 2:12, 13; Rev. 22:12.

We are saved by grace, not by works of the law. (See Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-10.) The experience of salvation by grace, however, results in obedience to God's law. (See Rom. 8:1-4.) Works of faith demonstrate that Christ's grace is operating in the life to bring us into accord with the righteous principles of His law. We are judged by the law, the great standard of righteousness because Christ's grace has been made available as the power to obey it. Our works are judged because grace makes possible works that are acceptable to God.

Who destroys the wicked? Prov 11:3; 15:25.

In the book of Proverbs, we find evidence for two distinct views of the judgment. One places the responsibility for destruction on God; the other places the responsibility on sinners themselves. Could it be that Solomon and the other writers of Proverbs are presenting two sides of the same coin?

"When a man has given his heart to his Saviour, when his only aim in life is to please God, then he need have no fear that he will be led astray (John 7:17; Isa. 30:21). On the other hand, the persistent disobedience of the sinner . . . leads him into eternal destruction in the great consummation."—The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 983.

Mercy and justice work together in the operation of law. Therefore, mercy, no less than justice, designates the end of those who reject that law. God is responsible in that He designed the laws in the first place—a description of how the universe works. But He also built into the system freedom of choice, which gives individuals ultimate responsibility for their destiny. In the final end of the wicked, God gives them over to the consequences of their foolish choices: eternal annihilation.

What plea does the Lord make with those whose foolish choices are leading to destruction? Ezek. 33:11.

Sin becomes unpardonable only because the sinner chooses to reject pardon. With every knock on the heart's door, unheeded, the inclination to open the door becomes weaker. The impressions of the Holy Spirit, disregarded, will not be as easily distinguished the next time. The heart becomes less and less impressionable.

Finally, God must say "They are joined to their idols; let them go." His heart of love, however cries, "Oh, how can I give them up! How can I let them go!" (See Hos. 4:17; 11:8.)

Read the following examples regarding the importance of making good choices. How do these examples help you to understand what motivates our choices? Lot: Genesis. 13:1-12; 29; Mary and Martha: Luke 10:38-42; Moses: Hebrews. 11:24-28.

Regarding some of the first choices ever made, read Patriarchs and Prophets, "The Creation," pp. 44-51.

"The history of nations that one after another have occupied their allotted time and place, unconsciously witnessing to the truth of which they themselves knew not the meaning, speaks to us. To every nation and to every individual of today God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men and nations are being measured by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes."—Education, p. 170.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. This week we studied that God's law is like a hedge or wall. Is this to say that God's law is a wall of resistance, a wall of isolation from sin, a wall of isolation from the world, or a wall of protection? Explain your answer. In what other positive terms would you describe God's law, and why?

2. Why is Solomon correct in the contrasts he makes between wisdom and folly?

3. Is it important for Christians to offer nonviolent opposition to those within and without the church who limit religious liberty or to those who neglect or abuse the downtrodden of society? Explain your answer. How do we relate such needs to "not resisting evil"?

SUMMARIZE  this week's lesson by completing the following sentences:

1. The choices we make______________________.
2. It is important to keep God's law because______________________.
3. The folly of lawlessness consists of _______________________.
4. In the end, ultimate responsibility for a person's destiny rests with _____________________.