April 28
Reading: Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, 7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen 8 do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, 10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.
28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Proverbs 25-29 contain a collection of proverbs of Solomon put together during the reign of Hezekiah, 250 years later. Now we are back to the construction that we became used to in chapters 10-22, each verse containing a two-stanza word of wisdom. Just a few of these proverbs run for two or three verses.
vss. 2-7 This section begins with a whole lot to say about kings, how they conduct themselves and how others ought to act around them. Notice that rulers are expected to be wise and discerning. A good leader who seeks the Lord is a huge blessing for his people.
vss. 8-10 These verses apply the commandment to not be a false witness against your neighbor. Maybe, you should not be a witness against your neighbor at all. It is the backdrop for Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:23-25.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
vss. 11-13 Words are important, “a word fitly spoken,” “a wise rebuke.” The “cold of snow in the time of harvest” sounds horrible. Realize that snow in Palestine did not come in feet, but rather in a light dusting. It helped the harvest to be ready.
vs. 14 Have you ever met a person who boasts in gifts he does not have? It is irritating, to say the least. The metaphor here explains the disappointment precisely.
vss. 16, 27 Did you know that the proverbs warn us against too many sweets?
vs. 17 This makes me laugh. Don’t overstay your welcome.
vs. 19 There are a number of treacherous men in the Bible. Balaam, Haman, Judas, just to name a few. What do they all have in common? They are out for themselves. Beware of the person whose ultimate allegiance is himself. In time he will turn on you.
vs. 20 There is a time to be silent.
vss. 21-22 Romans 12:17-21 turns this verse into an important lesson.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.