Mountain View - Rules to Live By, By Pam Payne
Writer Author Church On The Mountain
Christian Column
:
Christian Living
- Fiction No
The Solomonic kingdom of the tenth century B.C. is referred to as a golden age of peace, prosperity, and international prestige for Israel. It is also said that the wisdom of King Solomon surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
To live in a time of prosperity and peace under the rule of such a successful and wise king must have been a wonderful thing for the people of God. Those years for them must have been a relief and a blessing. Not exactly the state of the world we live in, is it? But there must be something we can learn from this wise king in his time of peace and prosperity. What it is that he says to us?
Quite a lot actually. As one of the authors of the book of Proverbs, King Solomon gives the people of God all kinds of useful information. In fact, the goal of Proverbs is to describe and instill wisdom which is founded in the fear of the Lord.
The teachings of Proverbs are considered to be, “Wisdom Literature.” The covenant given to Moses from God did not specify all of his rules; its purpose was to set out the constitution of theocracy, to give general moral guidance and to provide a system to which God’s people can know his forgiveness. The book of Proverbs takes us deeper and focuses on what restoration should look like in our day-to-day behavior and in personal character. The key term, “wisdom”, from the Hebrew word (khokmah) can have the nuance of “skill”, particularly the skill of choosing the right course of action for the desired result. In the covenantal framework of Proverbs, it denotes, “skill in the art of Godly living.” In fact, much of Proverbs focus on everyday life, community, and home. There are very clear teachings on marriage, raising children, discreet speech, diligence in harvest, and concern for the poor.
One of the goals of the book of Proverbs is to restore the image of God in man, and covers an array of other topics such as, diligence and laziness; friendship; marriage; child rearing; domestic peace, work; getting along and good manners. In each of these areas we are offered detailed advice to living a covenant life. Rules to live by, so to speak… To sum up those rules:
1. God’s will is intensely practical, applying to every aspect of his people’s lives. A proper relation to God involves, first, seeking to understand His truth, and then embracing and obeying what one understands.
2. A life lived by God’s will is a happy life. (Proverbs 3:21-26)
3. A life lived by God’s will is useful life. (Proverbs 3:27-28;12:18, 25)
4. A life lived by God’s will does not just happen; one must seek after it, study, pursue it, and discipline oneself.
5. Such a life is available for those who go after it. (Proverbs 9:1-6)
I want this Proverbs kind of life! And although the world, and my own sin nature, is constantly vying with God for my attention—I know that if I am purposeful and prayerful, and focused on Him, He will meet me in this place and give me the strength I need to persevere.
Editor's Comment:
About the Writer Author
State:
California
Country:
United States
Email:
Paulafriedrichsen@live.com
Website:
www.churchonthemountain.org
Profile:
Click here!
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