In chapter 4 the children are asked to hear the instructions of a father, the one who has a father’s interest in them, for, says he: “I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.”
The perfection of giving instruction is seen in the Lord Jesus in the opening of His ministry, in the synagogue at Nazareth where He had been brought up. They could wonder at His gracious words as He opened to them the scriptures that spoke of His mission among His people, but such ministry clashed with the will of men bent on having their own way. It aroused their anger and they would have cast Him down from the brow of the hill on which their city was built. Such was the working of their deceitful hearts, while professing to honor God. But His time of departure was not yet come, nor was this the manner of it, so He passed through the midst of them and went His way. (Luke 4:16-3016And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? 23And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. 28And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30But he passing through the midst of them went his way, (Luke 4:16‑30).)
Solomon had received instructions from his father David, as he in turn had from his father. Our reader will recall the wonderful story of David meeting Goliath. It was by simply following his father’s directions, which brought him to the camp of the army, where he heard the challenges from the great giant. It certainly was not by his own seeking that he was there at that time. There was no desire on his part for self-exaltation, but he was acting in the simple faith which should have been that of any godly Israelite at that time. David acted wisely both then and during the brief period of his exaltation on account of it, as he did later on when he endured the persecution of King Saul. All this was a part of his training which he had to pass through, while awaiting the Lord’s time to bring him to the throne of Israel.
In this chapter we have the father’s authority spoken of and the responsibility and obedience of those whom he calls his sons. It is all very evident that self-will is the great and constant hindrance to those who profess to honor the Lord. The great enemy would excite and stir up the exercise of our wills to have our own way, “Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.” Eph. 2:33Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3). It is an evil world through which we are passing, and heavenly wisdom is needed that we might be able to discern the pathway that is pleasing to the Lord. It is truly a wilderness journey, where there are no marked highways, save that which is provided in the Scriptures, and which are available to faith to discern. There will be suffering for Christ’s sake and also for righteousness, but if wisdom is exalted (in contrast to self) “She shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honor.... She shall give to thy head a garland of grace; a crown of glory.” J. N. D. Trans. However, we are apt to look for these things before it is the Lord’s due time (1 Pet. 5:66Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1 Peter 5:6)). So we must with patience wait for it.
“Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;... I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”
ML 08/27/1961