Proverbs

Behind the Mask

Lesson #10 for March 7, 2015

Scriptures: [Proverbs 25:2-3; 26:11-12,13-16; 27:5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21][i].

1.    This lesson will focus on the challenges of speaking the truth and discerning the truth from what we hear. In the Garden of Eden, the beautiful flying serpent spoke words that seemed so exciting but were full of poison. Satan is a master at deception. He can appear and does appear as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14ii) But, as dangerous as he is, our own selfdeception may be even more dangerous because we are so inclined to believe it!

2.    So, what are the most common ways in which we, maybe even unwittingly, deceive ourselves and others? How often do we try to deceive by using flattering words, appealing speech, even wonderful sentiments when, in fact, our intentions are not good? Certainly, Jesus spoke the truth when He said: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16, KJV)

3.    It is interesting to note that this lesson does not mention Proverbs 25:1iii. It was mentioned in the lesson for the first week. What happened to these Proverbs during the 300 years between Solomon and Hezekiah? Can we be sure that they came from Solomon? What about the thousands of other proverbs and songs that he produced or collected which we apparently do not have? (1 Kings 4:32iv) What happened to those other songs and proverbs?

4.    One of the things we learn from a good education is how much we do not know. The more educated we are, the better we understand how little we know. When facing a universe which is so incredibly complex and which we cannot begin to fully understand, how could we possibly understand God? Having made such a statement, one must remember that the most important thing each of us can do in life is to do everything possible to get to know Him and understand Him better. Do we really believe that?

5.    Read [Proverbs 25:2-3; Jeremiah 8:8; and Isaiah 45:14-15][v]. Why do you think the Old Testament often describes God as mysterious? Is God trying to hide something? Read Deuteronomy 17:14-20vi. How different do you think the history of the Jewish people would have been if Israel’s and Judah’s kings had followed the advice recorded in Deuteronomy 17?

6.    How many of the things that happen to us every day are completely out of our control? What should we think about such things? Is that a good reason to keep on praying?

7.    Many people in our modern day have begun to dismiss the idea of any absolute truth. They want us to believe that every truth is relative. They say that truth depends on who you are, where you are, your cultural background, etc. But, is it not true that certain things are right and certain things are wrong? Are the Ten Commandments negotiable?

8.    The Seventh-day Adventist Church had an early publication entitled, “The Present Truth.” What is implied by “The Present Truth”? Is truth negotiable?

9.    Read Proverbs 26:11-12vii. Compare Judges 21:25; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21; 2:6-7; and 2 Corinthians 1:12viii. Surely, these verses are an adequate warning against boasting of our own wisdom. Even when we do what we think is right, we are in trouble. What is the only thing about which we can honestly boast? See Jeremiah 9:23-24ix. Can Adventists do that?

10.    How much of modern “culture” is really foolishness? Have you ever listened to a politician, car salesman, or some such person who was so convincing in the way s/he spoke that you were inclined to believe something that you were sure was not true?

11.    So, are there absolute truths that we can understand and on which we can base our core values? We have learned that the field of ethics in our modern world is very complicated. Sometimes, it is necessary to decide which values are more important than others, and in that context, which values affect the larger number of people.

12.    Read Proverbs 26:15. Could someone really be so lazy that he does not want to pick up food from the dish and put it in his mouth? Why are some people so lazy? Some students seem to spend more time and energy figuring out ways to cheat on an examination than they spend studying for it. How much time do lazy people spend finding excuses for their laziness? Read Proverbs 26:13-16[x]. Solomon seemed to think that lazy people never get anything done that is worth doing!

13.    No doubt, you have heard the English expression: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Lazy people tend to be afraid to venture anything. Solomon compared lazy people to a door swinging on its hinges. The door may move, but it never goes anywhere!

14.    How many people are lazy because they do not want to put in the time and effort to evaluate new ideas and to try new things? Are we open to new ideas? Do we study new ideas carefully as did the noble Bereans? (Acts 17:11)xi

In the judgment men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 55.2.

15.    So, what should be our role in giving others the “opportunity” to learn what is truth? Where does our responsibility begin and end? Is it worth the trouble to send missionaries around the world? If God is going to take into account where someone was born and his surroundings, is it worth trying to carry the gospel to them and suggesting new ideas?

16.    Read Proverbs 27:5-6xii. When is it appropriate to rebuke a friend? Is it a sign of love to warn someone of dangers ahead? Is love ever unpleasant? Judgmental? Even critical? Have you ever lost a friend because you were trying to give constructive criticism?

17.    Read Proverbs 27:17xiii. What is implied by this proverb? How do we learn truth from each other? Real friends should be able to openly discuss issues and to learn from each other. An honest discussion leading to discovery of new truths is a wonderful blessing. Why is it that some people are not comfortable with engaging in honest discussions? What is the kindest way to tell a friend that danger is coming? What is the best way to tell our unbelieving friends that Jesus is coming soon? Do we first need to understand them well?

18.    Read Proverbs 26:17-23xiv. In your experience, do you find it true that troublemakers and gossips keep the arguments alive? We must always remember that the person who feels comfortable slandering your enemy in your presence will probably be just as ready to slander you in the presence of another!

19.    When we hear a very nice, even flowery, speech, should red flags go up in our minds? Don’t you think that Satan is very effective with his nice speeches? Think of what happened to Eve! How often do we say something which is really meant to deceive because we feel and understand just the opposite? When we are sick, do we say, “I’m fine”?

Everything that Christians do should be as transparent as the sunlight.

Truth is of God; deception, in every one of its myriad forms, is of Satan; and whoever in any way departs from the straight line of truth is betraying himself into the power of the wicked one. Yet it is not a light or an easy thing to speak the exact truth. We cannot speak the truth unless we know the truth; and how often preconceived opinions, mental bias, imperfect knowledge, errors of judgment, prevent a right understanding of matters with which we have to do!

We cannot speak the truth unless our minds are continually guided by Him who is truth.—Ellen G. White, Mount of Blessing 68.3; SD 64.5; RC 71.5. [Bold type is added.]

20.    As scary as it may be to do so, we need to be fully aware and admit that God knows and sees everything. Every detail of our lives will come up for review in the final judgment.

21.    When discussing the history of Jacob and comparing that with the time of Jacob’s trouble in the future, Ellen White penned these words:

The long, black catalogue of our delinquencies is before the eye of the Infinite. The register is complete; none of our offenses are forgotten. But He who listened to the cries of His servants of old, will hear the prayer of faith and pardon our transgressions. He has promised, and He will fulfill His word. (Patriarchs and Prophets 202.4) [Bold type is added.]

22.    So, what is our role in all of this? Are there some things that we have to do? Are there other things for which we must depend upon God? Our brains are the only instruments God has given us for determining what is truth. We must diligently and intelligently use them.

The agency of the Spirit of God does not remove from us the necessity of exercising our faculties and talents, but teaches us how to use every power to the glory of God. The human faculties, when under the special direction of the grace of God, are capable of being used to the best purpose on earth. Ignorance does not increase the humility or spirituality of any professed follower of Christ. The truths of the divine word can be best appreciated by an intellectual Christian. Christ can be best glorified by those who serve Him intelligently. The great object of education is to enable us to use the power which God has given us in such a manner as to represent the religion of the Bible and promote the glory of God.

We are indebted to Him who gave us existence, for the talents that have been entrusted to us, and it is a duty we owe our Creator to cultivate and improve these talents.—Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pp. 361,362. [Bold type is added.]

23.    In light of all this, is it possible for us to distinguish between that which is transitory and temporary in contrast to that which is eternal, universal, and immutable? Do we believe in eternal truths? Can you name a few? Do we sometimes get mixed up between transitory truths and eternal truths?

24.    Would you agree that “smart people keep their friends close and their enemies closer”? What would that mean? Read Matthew 10:16xv. As we approach the end of this world’s history, are we going to be like sheep among wolves?

25.    Are we faithful in praying for divine wisdom to guide us through the problems in our lives? Our world is very complex and confusing. People cannot always be trusted. Can God be trusted? Can the Bible be trusted? Can it be misapplied? Hasn’t Satan even misquoted the Bible to his advantage?

26.    In difficult times, does God seem further from you? Or, closer? How should we respond when God seems distant? Why do you think Paul and Silas were singing while chained in that Philippian prison? (Acts 16:25xvi) When we are confused and feeling lost, Ellen White has suggested that we need to look back to the last place where we saw the light.

When temptations assail you, when care, perplexity, and darkness seem to surround your soul, look to the place where you last saw the light.—Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing 250.1.

27.    Review briefly the stories of some Bible heroes who had tremendous ups and downs in their young lives. Think of Joseph (Genesis 37,39-50), Daniel and his three friends (Daniel 1-6), and Jesus (The Gospels). Would we have the courage to do as they did?

28.    Earlier, we asked the question about God being mysterious. Does God actually conceal things that He knows? Isn’t God’s government transparent? Read Proverbs 25:1-3xvii again. What is it that God conceals? See [Jeremiah 31:31 -34 and Hebrews 10:16-18]xviii. Aren’t you glad that God does not reveal everything He knows about our past sins? Why did God conceal from the apostles how long it would be until His second coming? Read Proverbs 6:16-19xix. What are the things that God hates? Notice that lying is mentioned twice in this short list.

29.    Let us never forget that the core question in the great controversy is: Who is telling us the truth? Do we really believe God’s truths? Or, are we deceived by the Devil’s lies? How many Christians are teaching the Devil’s lies and claiming that they are the gospel truth?

O the mystery of godliness-God manifest in the flesh! This mystery increases as we try to comprehend it. It is incomprehensible, and yet human beings will allow worldly, earthly things to intercept the faint view it is possible for mortals to have of Jesus and His matchless love. . . . How can we be enthusiastic over earthly, common things and not be stirred with this picture-the cross of Calvary, the love that is revealed in the death of God’s dear Son . . . ?

I shall, if saved in the kingdom of God, be constantly discerning new depths in the plan of salvation. All the redeemed saints will see and appreciate as never before the love of the Father and the Son, and songs of praise will burst forth from immortal tongues. He loved us, He gave His life for us. With glorified bodies, with enlarged capacities, with hearts made pure, with lips undefiled, we shall sing the riches of redeeming love.—Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 318.3-4; That I May Know Him 371.2-3.

30.    How much can we learn about God from studying the life of Christ? Why has our modern world gone to such lengths to reject the teachings of the Bible?

31.    What can we learn from the spiritual ups and downs, the struggles, the sufferings, and the pain of Bible heroes such as Ruth and Naomi (Ruth), Hannah and Elkanah (1 Samuel 1), David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18-23), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13-15), etc.?

No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 100.1. [Bold type is added.]

32.    Is it possible for you to imagine yourself as being the center of God’s attention? How does that make you feel?

© 2015, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.    Info@theox.org

i-Proverbs 25:2 We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain. 3 You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.

Proverbs 26:11 A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit. 12 The most stupid fool is better off than those who think they are wise when they are not. 13 Why don't lazy people ever get out of the house? What are they afraid of? Lions? 14 Lazy people turn over in bed. They get no farther than a door swinging on its hinges. 15 Some people are too lazy to put food in their own mouths. 16 A lazy person will think he is smarter than seven men who can give good reasons for their opinions.

Proverbs 27:5 Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don't care for him at all. 6 Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder - watch out!

1 Corinthians 1:20 So then, where does that leave the wise? or the scholars? or the skillful debaters of this world? God has shown that this world's wisdom is foolishness! 21 For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called "foolish" message we preach, God decided to save those who believe.

ii-2 Corinthians 11:14 Well, no wonder! Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light!

iii-Proverbs 25:1 Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.

iv-1 Kings 4:32 He composed three thousand proverbs and more than a thousand songs.

v-Proverbs 25:2 We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain. 3 You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.

Jeremiah 8:8 How can you say that you are wise and that you know my laws? Look, the laws have been changed by dishonest scribes.

Isaiah 45:14 The Lord says to Israel, "The wealth of Egypt and Ethiopia will be yours, and the tall men of Seba will be your slaves; they will follow you in chains. They will bow down to you and confess, "God is with you - he alone is God. 15 The God of Israel, who saves his people, is a God who conceals himself.

vi-Deuteronomy 17:14 “After you have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is going to give you and have settled there, then you will decide you need a king like all the nations around you. 15 Be sure that the man you choose to be king is the one whom the LORD has chosen. He must be one of your own people; do not make a foreigner your king. 16 The king is not to have a large number of horses for his army, and he is not to send people to Egypt to buy horses,[a] because the LORD has said that his people are never to return there. 17 The king is not to have many wives, because this would make him turn away from the LORD; and he is not to make himself rich with silver and gold. 18 When he becomes king, he is to have a copy of the book of God's laws and teachings made from the original copy kept by the levitical priests. 19 He is to keep this book near him and read from it all his life, so that he will learn to honor the LORD and to obey faithfully everything that is commanded in it. 20 This will keep him from thinking that he is better than other Israelites and from disobeying the LORD's commands in any way. Then he will reign for many years, and his descendants will rule Israel for many generations.

vii-Proverbs 26:11 A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit. 12 The most stupid fool is better off than those who think they are wise when they are not.

viii-Judges 21:25 There was no king in Israel at that time. Everyone did whatever they pleased.

1 Corinthians 1:20 So then, where does that leave the wise? or the scholars? or the skillful debaters of this world? God has shown that this world's wisdom is foolishness! 21 For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called “foolish” message we preach, God decided to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 2:6 Yet I do proclaim a message of wisdom to those who are spiritually mature. But it is not the wisdom that belongs to this world or to the powers that rule this world—powers that are losing their power. 7 The wisdom I proclaim is God's secret wisdom, which is hidden from human beings, but which he had already chosen for our glory even before the world was made.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

ix-Jeremiah 9:23 The LORD says, “The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. 24 If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me, because my love is constant, and I do what is just and right. These are the things that please me. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

x-Proverbs 26:13 Why don't lazy people ever get out of the house? What are they afraid of Lions? 14 Lazy people turn over in bed. They get no farther than a door swinging on its hinges. 15 Some people are too lazy to put food in their own mouths. 16 A lazy person will think he is smarter than seven men who can give good reasons for their opinions.

xi-Acts 17:11 The people there were more open-minded than the people in Thessalonica. They listened to the message with great eagerness, and every day they studied the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was really true.

xii-Proverbs 27:5 Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don't care for him at all. 6 Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out!

xiii-Proverbs 27:17 People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.

xiv-Proverbs 26:17 Getting involved in an argument that is none of your business is like going down the street and grabbing a dog by the ears. 18-19 Someone who tricks someone else and then claims that he was only joking is like a crazy person playing with a deadly weapon. 20 Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, quarreling stops. 21 Charcoal keeps the embers glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive. 22 Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it! 23 Insincere[a] talk that hides what you are really thinking is like a fine glaze[b] on a cheap clay pot.

xv-Matthew 10:16 “Listen! I am sending you out just like sheep to a pack of wolves. You must be as cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves.

xvi-Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

xvii-Proverbs 25:25 Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain. 3 You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.

xviii-Jeremiah 31:31 The LORD says, “The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they did not keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 None of them will have to teach a neighbor to know the LORD, because all will know me, from the least to the greatest. I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

Hebrews 10:16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them in the days to come, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds.” 17 And then he says, “I will not remember their sins and evil deeds any longer.” 18 So when these have been forgiven, an offering to take away sins is no longer needed.

xix-Proverbs 6:16-19 There are seven things that the LORD hates and cannot tolerate:

- A proud look,

- a lying tongue,

- hands that kill innocent people,

- a mind that thinks up wicked plans,

- feet that hurry off to do evil,

- a witness who tells one lie after another,

- and someone who stirs up trouble among friends.

Table of Contents

i

ii

iii

iv

v

vi

vii

viii

ix

x

xi

xii

xiii

xiv

xv

xvi

xvii

xviii

xix

i-

ii-

iii-

iv-

v-

vi-

vii-

viii-

ix-

x-

xi-

xii-

xiii-

xiv-

xv-

xvi-

xvii-

xviii-

xix-