This lesson looks at various states of the heart of man, and how God prefers men after His own heart. Although we may be accustomed to thinking of the Old Testament as emphasizing the works of man, especially the works of the law, it is amazing how often the word “heart” (Heb. leb, or lebab) is mentioned here. Feeble works of men of good heart are preferable to great works of men of bad heart. A bad heart is akin to bad faith, which few of us fallible men can even tolerate. A great contrast between man’s heart and God’s heart is very evident in Gen.6:5-6, the prelude to the Flood. Another such contrast is evident in the condemnation of idolatry – “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom.1:28) and God giving them up to follow their own wicked impulses.
The principal lesson is in the first file listed below – the rest are auxiliary to it.