The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-07-23
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNl6YSQIOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR JULY 1s
SOLOMON CHOOSES WISDOM.
(By E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
Sunday School Course, The Moody Bible
Institute Of Chicago.)

lb tne beginning OF WISDOM. Prov BIC
r. ".
Last week we had the story of a
young man whose childhood was I'M
restrained and ungoverned, who
proved to be a sad failure, unable to
govern the kingdom he so much de-
sired. Today, by contrast. we study
the life Of younger brother, who,
under better influences, chose the way
that leads to true success. Emphasize
therefore the fact that this Sunday is
Decision Day"
!. Solomon's Part wv. 3-9) ~
Preparation ". 81. Solomon was look
ing out of the open gateway of life.
Still the text suggests that there was
preparation for his hearing of Gods
wonderful promise, ASK what shall
give thee" (a) He loved the Lord"
". 81. 1t was a wonderful kingdom
David had bequeathed to his son,
enough to entice any young man, yet
1t was in the statutes Of David" and
in the worship of Jehovah that Solo,
mon had his chief delight. (b) He
went to Gideon" ". ~ because there
at the tabernacle (the temple was
not yet builD Jehovah particularly
manifested himself to the people q
Chron. 21:29; Elk. 29:42, 43 r. W.
(2) Presentation ". A.. He offered
burnt offerings" a thousand, when
legally one would have sufficed. The
tabernacle was type of Christ John
1:14 R. v. and John 1850 and each
Of the one thousand sacrifices also
pointed forward to the Christ. The
Christian has better ground where
on to approach God (Heb. 10:1-22)
than that of countless sacrifices Of
rams and bulls.
(3) Revelation ". 81. God appeared
to Solomon in dream, we have a
better revelation in Jesus and the in
spired Word, still it was a real ap-
pearance to him as subsequent events
prove. (Gen 2S:12, 10; Matt. 1920;
Acts 1879, 10). Scientists themselves
confess that they know comparatively
little about dreams. That God can
and does even in modern times give
us revelations of truth by such means
is witnessed by the book by the late
DR.. A. j. Gordon, How Christ Came
to Church." That dream transformed
a pastor
(4) Position wv. 6, y. In reply to
Gods wonderful permission to Solo
mon, the setting before him of his
infinite resources, Solomon first of
all acknowledged his debt to David,
his father. Gods kindness, his faith
fulness and bounty" (marg.) to
David had been according to the man.
ner of his walking in "uprightness of
heart; and to crown that kindness,
he, Solomon, is 'the son to sit on his
throne" This acknowledgment in.
volved a definite obligation or
service for which Solomon felt |
his unworthiness.
(5) Petition wv 8, 81. Seeing the
greatness Of the responsibility now
resting ". 81 upon him Solomons |
plea is for wisdom. Already he had |
shown that he had in him the root of
true wisdom prov. 1T and Golden
Text. Solomon seemed to realize his
first to God and then
to the people, for he said, who is
able to judge this Thy great people"
R. v. This is the true and right rela-
lion of duty, public or private, God
irst, the people afterward. Solomon
asked for a hearing heart" (see r.
V. marg). Such request was of
more value. than great riches prov.
|:13-1S) and was in line with his ia
her David's petition Il Chron. 22:12;
'9:19); another suggestion as to how
athers should pray for their sons.
II. Gods Part, w. 1915. ~ His
Pleasure wv. 10, IL. Solomon had
lot asked for self, for pleasure nor
or earthly power and hence Gods de-
light. God delights in an intelligent
'rayer prov 1879. 1t is a greater
hing to make speech that pleases
Tod than one to please man. Verse
leven tells Of some of the things Sol
mon might have asked for, and
which doubtless many of us would
ave asked under the same circum.
tances.
(2) His Performance ". 12). But
olomon made a more wise Choice,
ence Gods pleasure to do not only
II he had asked, according to his
uman words, but more also (Eph.
200. His name has become
reverb, synonymous with the great
st wisdom ". 2S, Oh. 4:29-34; SIP,
to-. Seeking what seemed to be the
linor thing God gave him the best
Matt. .6:33; Rom. 1892; Oh. 1O:23-29)
nd that which thou hast not asked"
go His Promise ". 14). AS though
heap up his goodness, as a sort of
reward Of merit, God offered Solo
ION "long life" on one condition only,
H., obedience. Such a promise is
urs and the world has yet to realize
lie wisdom Of Gods ordinances for
lie good of our physical we'll being
Deut. SIG; 25:15; Prov. 81; 14:15-
:. Tim 4.2l Ali NJ Hod,o Drou, |