July 20–26 Commentary

This weekly feature is dedicated to Adventists who are looking for biblical insights into the topics discussed in the Sabbath School lesson quarterly. We post articles which address each lesson as presented in the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, including biblical commentary on them. We hope you find this material helpful and that you will come to know Jesus and His revelation of Himself in His word in profound biblical ways.

Week 4: “Mercy and Justice in Psalms and Proverbs”

 

In quoting C. S. Lewis, the lesson makes a good point.

“Observing that many Bible readers today consider judgment something to be feared…”

When that question is combined with with the question asked at the end of Monday’s lesson, it raises a very interesting point for Adventists:

“What reasons do we have to view the idea of judgment as positive, and not something to be feared?”

What reason indeed—besides the fact that EGW teaches exactly that!

When we are told that Jesus’ death was not enough to secure our salvation, there is fear.

When we tell people that their behavior must be getting better or they will lose their salvation, we create despair and fear—or hopelessness.

When we tell God’s people that they will not know for sure if they did enough to keep their salvation until Jesus actually comes back, there is fear and, typically, either despair or a guilt-ridden, behavior-driven lifestyle that is never secure. 

Instead, point them to Romans 8:1

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

When we read and believe this, there is such a surge of relief and hope that removes any fear of judgment! Jesus took all our sins and took the punishment for them onto Himself. ALL OF IT! And He never gives it back to us! Even if our behavior doesn’t measure up! 

It’s only our own lack of faith in Jesus, combined with our lack of understanding of God’s word, that lets the fear remain.

This in itself is a very good reason to trust the Bible only and leave behind any so-called prophet or Bible commentary that contradicts the Bible.

 

“Do Something, God!”

From the lesson:

“The starting point for David is honoring God for His mercy and justice (Ps. 101:1), which became the foundation for everything David sought to uphold by his leadership. He sought to learn and practice these same characteristics in his life and work. To do this, he must resist the temptations toward wrongdoing, corruption, and dishonesty, all of which are particular traps for those in positions of power and leadership.

This is a particularly sore point for those who have watched the Adventist church leadership over the last 40 years.

Most of this week’s lesson is a fairly good critique of what the Bible says about God’s care for us and the need for faith in Him. However, there are a lot of words but not much is said.

Then on Friday, we have the typical EGW quotes with her insistence on the Law:

Referring to the wisdom in the book of Proverbs: “These are principles with which are bound up the well-being of society, of both secular and religious associations. It is these principles that give security to property and life.

“For all that makes confidence and cooperation possible, the world is indebted to the law of God, as given in His word, and as still traced, in lines often obscure and well-nigh obliterated, in the hearts of men.”—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 137.

How sad that the Law, which can never make us right with God, is held up as that which the world needs for confidence and cooperation and justice. 

Because for those in Christ, what is in the heart is not the Law but the grace of God. If only the world knew that grace there would be so much more hope and justice and peace!

All in all, there is not much of value that is said this week, and the summation at the end is clearly geared towards the idea of social justice which is currently the popular thought of the day.  

In the summary at the end:

“Psalms and Proverbs are two books particularly tuned to the challenges of living faithfully amid life’s common experiences and trials. Both offer insights into God’s vision for society and His special concern for the poor and oppressed. The cry of the Psalms and the wisdom of Proverbs are that God does notice and will intervene to protect those too often ignored or exploited. And if that’s what God’s about, it’s what we should be about, as well.”

Here is where we fall completely into the deception called ‘social justice’. The author tells us that because God notices injustice and cares for those who are exploited, we are to join in with Him in correcting those wrongs.

That’s not what the disciples of the early church did! They remembered the poor, as Paul said in Galatians 2:9–10, but their primary focus was preaching the gospel. They didn’t try to even things out so that everyone had an equal chance at a good life.

Their concern was spiritual, not this physical life. In fact, both Peter and Paul said quite a bit about how the believer’s physical life on earth could get a lot worse when they came to Christ, but they never said anything about how to make this physical life better or more equal.

There is nothing wrong with an effort to help those in need or defending those who are oppressed. But to say, or imply, that we are to dedicate our lives to that end simply because God also cares for those in need is to put all the emphasis on this physical life while ignoring the eternal, spiritual life that is so desperately needed.

The world needs hope and spiritual rebirth and salvation so much more than it needs everyone to be made equal in this physical world. This world is temporary and will end soon while eternity is just that — eternal and never-ending. People need the gospel so they can make the right choice of where they will spend that eternity. †