Let Us Illustrate Solomon's Words of Wisdom (Proverbs 13:12)
1. Shortly after Solomon became king of Israel, God said to him, "Ask what I shall give thee" (2 Chronicles 1:7). 2. Solomon responded by asking God for "wisdom and knowledge" so he would be able to judge his people (2 Chronicles 1:10). 3. According to 2 Chronicles 1:11-12, God granted Solomon's request. 4. Fortunately, Solomon wrote down much of the wisdom that God gave to him in the Proverbs. 5. In Proverbs 13:12 Solomon touched on 2 important points. a. First, anguish is experienced while we wait for our hope to become a reality. b. Second, great joy is experienced when hope finally becomes a reality. 6. In our lesson we are studying several Old Testament Scriptures that illustrate these words of wisdom.
I. WE FIRST NEED TO SHOW HOW THE ISRAELITES FOUND THEMSELVES IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION (2 Chronicles 36:14-21)
A. We learn from vs.14-16 that the Israelites sinned and rejected the prophets that God sent to them. B. The writer continued in vs.17-19 by showing how God used the Babylonians to punish His people. C. According to vs.20-21, survivors were taken to Babylon where they would be in captivity 70 years as Jeremiah had prophesied (Jeremiah 25:8-11). D. Because of their sins the Israelites found themselves in a difficult situation; however, they had the hope of returning to Israel after 70 years.
II. WE NEED TO SHOW HOW THE HEARTS OF THE ISRAELITES WERE SICK WHILE THEY WAITED FOR THEIR HOPE TO BECOME A REALITY (Psalm 137)
A. Memories of their home caused the Israelites to weep (vs.1). B. Furthermore, they were not able to sing (vs.2, 4). C. To make matters worse, the Babylonians mocked them (vs.3). D. Even though they remembered Jerusalem and had the hope of returning to their home, their hearts were sick while they waited for the 70 years to pass. E. Finally, the 70-year period of waiting came to an end.
III. WE NEED TO SHOW HOW THE JOY THAT THE ISRAELITES EXPERIENCED WHEN THEY RETURNED TO ZION CAN BE COMPARED TO A TREE OF LIFE (Psalm 126)
A. God caused the 70-year captivity to come to an end. B. The Israelites: 1. were like those who dream 2. laughed 3. were able to sing 4. expressed confidence that God would continue to bless them. C. This Psalm is designated as "A Song of Degrees."
1. We have illustrated the words of wisdom Solomon wrote in Proverbs 13:12. 2. Looking forward to the joy that will be experienced when hope becomes a reality will help us while we wait (Romans 8:18-25). 3. Let us conclude with the words of Solomon's father in Psalm 40:1-5.