If Methuselah were living among us, granted he was a man of good sense who in his long lifetime improved his opportunities, he would be much sought after for his counsel and wisdom. A man a thousand years old should know a good deal, and blessed were the youth that could get the benefit of that long, dearly bought wisdom of experience, and thus stand upon that old man's shoulders. But God has been here longer than a thousand years, and knows more than even Adam would know were he still here. The man who listens to God's counsel and obeys it has the wisdom of the ages, the benefit of all time and eternity. Everywhere obedience avails itself of the knowledge and experience of others. Says Ernest Seton Thompson concerning the Bighorn sheep: "For a young animal, there is no better gift than obedience. It is obedience to the mother that gives him all the benefit of the mother's experience without the risk of getting it. Courage is good; speed and strength are good; but his best courage, speed and strength are far below those of his mother; and they are at his service to the uttermost, if only he will obey. Brains are all-powerful; but among very young Bighorn sheep, at least, an obedient fool is far better off than the wisest headstrong lamb that ever drew the breath of life." Just so it stands in regard to our obedience with God. The fathomless knowledge of the Almighty, so far beyond all the knowledge of man, his infinite wisdom [210] and power are ours when we obey him. His word makes wise the simple. His way which he commands us; his plan of conduct, work, worship; his warnings and his restraints are based on his limitless understanding; and obeying, we, though fools, act infinitely wisely. "I understand more than the aged, because I have kept thy precepts." (Ps. 119:100.)

[TAG 210-211]