The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-05-04
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for May q, 1898
The value of Wisdom---Prov. 8,11.9A

The Value of Wisdom--Prov. 8s11-aA
GOLDEN TExr.-Trust in the Lord with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own under
standing. prov 8h
PARALLELs.-Study in connection with this
lesson chaps. and 91-6
READ the first nine chapters Of Proverbs, and
search through the Bible for the references to
wisdom, especially Eccl Til, IL, 1o 9:1b18
Jer. 1928, "a; Dan 1873; Matt 7:24 John 7:l7
John $50; James l5, s;ls, IL; Eph, 1:17.ie
INTRoDUCTIoN-These verses, like those Of
the last lesson, are from the Introductory or
FIRST section of the book. This chapter is one
OF the loftiest, most beautiful and powerful
In the whole book, and should much Of 1t be
learned by heart
LESSON COMMENTS.
1, On the Way to Wisdom.-vers. II, 12.
At first thought, these two verses seem
to be thundercloud amid the glorious
stars that shine on either hand, a dis
cord in the entrancing, heavenly music
of wisdom. The whole chapter is an
anthem, and this seeming discord is
necessary to it's perfection. II. "My
SOM" Expressing the loving feelings of
the Divine Teacher and his intense de-
sire for the good of his pupils. ''Des-
pise not the chastening:" Discipline,
schooling, instruction by punishment.
Neither be weary" i. e., do not loathe,
abhor, feel disgustnor vexation towards.
"Of His reproof:" The word has two
fold meaning of ~ punishment or
Christening, and (2) reproof. Those who
are determined to do wrong, 1oathe all
reproof that would turn them from it.
12. "For whom the Lord loveth He
reproveth:" Care, burdens, losses, sick
ness, troubles are no necessary proof
that we are worse than other men, as
we have seen in Job, but are the father
ly discipline of one who loves us with
all his heart, but loves us too well to
let us go on in wrong.
The Value of Wisdom.-Vers. 1875.
Is. Happy is the mani" The word
translated "happy" is very expressive
one. The original word is plural. We
might read it: ''Oh, the blessednesses!'
THAT fndeth (has found, and holds
possession of wisdom:" After long
and arduous search, as for hid treasures
"Getteth understanding" Wisdom from
another point of view.
IA. For the merchandise of it," The
profit arising from trading in it, or the
very act of trading in it, the dealing in
wisdom. 1.-THE gain thereof" The gain
existing in wisdom, the gain resulting
from wisdom.
Is. "She is more precious than
rnbies:" Or pearls, as some translate
the word, which probably includes all
precious stones. 1.-THE things thou
canst desire:" All pleasures, all delights,
all the treasures of wealth, all thatmen
give up their lives to obtain.
16. Length of days is in her right
hand:" ready to be bestowed upon us.
If anything is good, the longer we can
enjoy it the better it is. In her left
hand. As not so valuable as long life.
IT, Her ways are ways of pleas
antness:" j. e. ways on which one OBJ
,tains what is agreeable to the inner and
the outer man, which it does good to
enjoy.
1s. '.She is tree of life:" This ex-
preston obviously refers to 'the tree of
ife'' which was placed in the midst of
the Garden of Eden, and conferred inn
mortality on those who ate of its fruit
(Gen. 30; s:22). 'Lay bold upon =.
retaineth:' The very nature of wisdom
is such that it mnst be sought, and con-
stant care must be given to retain 1t.
10. ''The Lord (Jehovah) by wisdom
founded the earth:" The wisdom we are
hidden to seek is the wisdom which God
used in planning and creating the
heavens and the earth, and this wisdom
appears greater and greater to US as we
study the works of God.
20. '"rhe depths were broken up:"
This is spoken of the waters yelling
forth from the bowels of the earth in
rivers and streams, and overdowing it
for the purpose of its processes of culti-
vation and irritation of the land. "And
the skies drop down the dew" Includ-
ing also rain in gentle and fructifying
showers.
%. $50 shall they be life unto thy
soul" Life in the highest and widest
sense. Not mere existence, but the
fullness of LIES blessings, life worth
the living. "And grace (beauty, favor,
ornament) to thy neck" As a necklace
of jewels around thy neck, referring
to the adornment of the personal char
acter, and so by metonymy of the favor
and kindness which it procures.''
%. "Shalt thou walk in thy way Sc
curely:" for it is the right way, and
wisdom itself is the guide. 1t is folly
that leads into sinful and dangerous
paths. Almost every error of life
comes from selfshness, which leads us
to go contrary to wisdom. "Thy foot
shall not stumble:" Into sin. into error,
and hence into danger and death.
STRONG WORDS.
For time an atheist population may
uphold the tattered banner of corpse
like traditions which it has stolen from
the rifled grave of Christianity, but it
will never be long before it declares
itself the enemy of the church, the
enemy Of the family, the enemy of the
throne; never long before it tears down
the flag of decency and order, and up
Inoists in its place if not the red fac of