Proverbs 25
in this chapter we encounter more practical, life-changing truth.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
Wisdom is knowledge applied, but everything has a moral component. We err by compartmentalizing the mundane from the ethical and spiritual.
V1 By way of an introduction to this chapter, this is very interesting how Solomon wrote these proverbs, and they sat around for some 250 years until Hezekiah and his scribes come along and compile these proverbs to be included in the canon of scripture.
So these writings were preserved and then compiled and copied by Hezekiah 250 year after Solomon wrote them. We might be dismissive of something we say or write, and then come to find out what we've said or written lives on long after we're gone. What do you want your legacy to be?
Also, though, this shows how God not only inspired Solomon to write down His Word, but God superintended history and watched over (even guarded over) His word to ensure we got what He intended for us.
Last idea surrounding God's Word, and how the scripture embodies what God intended for us. The reformers came up with the Latin phrase Sola Scriptura, which means "only scripture". By the middle ages (13, 14, 15 hundreds) Roman Catholic church had kind of been polluted by these doctrines and beliefs they had aquired; things they called 'dogmas' or incontrovertible truths that had come into the church from outside scripture (traditions, and other writings). But in the 1500s, the reformers laid down this principle that the church should only follow the teachings that are found in scripture.
So, if someone comes along and says, "I have this new truth", some new way to worship God, if it isn't in the canon of scripture, ignore it. There's a say, "if it's new, it's not true, and if it's true, it's not new."
We can be grateful, that Hezekiah's men compiled and copied these writings 250 years after Solomon had written them.
V2 We need to be ready and willing to search the whole Bible to try to find answers and understand any particularly perplexing or difficult things in scripture. As well, we need to resign ourselves that in the scriptures there may some things we never fully understand. It is to God's glory, because God is infinite and we're not. It only follows that we'll have all of eternity to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God.
Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.
Isaiah 55:13 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Luke 9:44-45 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, 44“Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.. As well, it is God who reveals things to us.
This is called a "revelational epistemology".
Some, have arrogantly said, "when I get to heaven, I'm going to have a question or two for God". Well, yes, you will have the chance to ask God questions, in heaven, but that doesn't mean God is beholden to answer you. Sometimes God says, "that's for me to know and you to find out."
I also want to address the reference to "Kings" in this verse. Maybe we don't think of ourselves as royalty, but God calls us that.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
Revelation 5:6-10 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
In some way, we are to rule and reign in God's kingdom. As such, we ought to search the scriptures to find those precious jewels and golden nuggets of truth.
V3 There will be those in authority who do, or say or decide things we don't understand or maybe agree with. We might question those decisions, but we aren't privy to all the details of why they made that decision. Remember, God sets people in authority.
Daniel 4:17 “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And bestows it on whom He wishes
And sets over it the lowliest of men.”
We are to contend for God's righteousness and expose evil. We don't give in to evil, but we understand God is in control.
V4-5 Dross is another word for impurities. We want impurities to be removed from our lives. For God to use us, He undertakes to remove impurity from us.
v6-7 firstly, Romans 12:3 says, "For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith."
The lesson for us is one of humility. Don't show off, but it is so natural, at least for guys. We start young, showing off to the girls how we can ride our bike with no hands. That's a recipe for disaster.
We need to humble ourselves or God will humiliate us. Don't be stiff-necked, unbending or staunch. Be pliable, flexible.
Ultimately, this is the principle of putting the spirit over the flesh, like Jesus did when He fasted and was then tempted in the wilderness.
V9-10 Be quick to resolve your strife or arguments or trouble between you and your neighbor, before having to go to court.
Don't listen to gossip.
Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
Matthew 5:23-26 2“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25“Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26“Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
You lose face and ruin your reputation when you are found out to be wrong because of assuming the guilt of someone else.
V11-12 The right word at the right time with the right heart is beautiful, magnificent, pleasing. Our tongue has in it the power of life and of death. This is all about the way you rebuke, scold, chastise or admonish someone. The other side of the coin is how do you receive constructive criticism. Even if it isn't so constructive, is there something true about the criticism. Is there something good and valuable and true for you to receive and learn from?
v13 key word here is faithful. As NT Christians, we're to be faithful to care the message of Christ (the Gospel) to a lost and dying world.
Isaiah 52:7 How lovely on the mountains, Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace, And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When the LORD restores Zion. 9 Break forth, shout joyfully together, You waste places of Jerusalem; For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, That all the ends of the earth may see The salvation of our God. 11 Depart, depart, go out from there, Touch nothing unclean; Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, You who carry the vessels of the LORD. 12 But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
13 Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.
14 Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men.
15 Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.
V14 A boastful, boisterous person who trumpets their giving is very distasteful and displeasing to the LORD.
Jude 1:12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.
Jesus said “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, in Matthew 6:3
Also, this teaches us that we should be people of integrity and follow through, and do what we said we'd do.
V15 We should be patient in persuading someone... Especially in the message of the Gospel. I can be accused of having a lack of patience in many circumstances. For example, when you work alongside someone in the work of the Kingdom, and you have a difference with that person, it would behove you to spend time and effort to resolve that difference, whether it be personal or doctrinal.
V16 Too much of a good thing is still too much.
V17 Modern day example would be, do you "over-post" on social media? I have a made up story to try and illustrate this proverb, about someone who conveniently comes over just before dinner time, a little too often....
V18 an arrow would be from a distance
a sword would cut you deep
a club would bludgeon you
Have you been lied about?
* forgive
Have you been falsely accused?
* show restraint - you might even consider not sticking up for yourself
Overcome evil with good. It won't take away the pain, but it will relieve you of becoming bitter.
V19 Misplaced confidence is as fun as a root canal and as joyful as a broken toe.
V20 don't be surprised if you get a violent reaction if you're insensitive to someone who's down or distressed.
Be careful to read the situation, and try to have an appropriate response to someone's emotional state.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
V21-22 is this proverb telling us to "kill 'em with kindness" in other words, are we saying Lord with give 'em what they deserve, with a smile on our face? I don't think so. Giving someone a pan of fire coals, would be a benefit to them. They could go start their own fire with those coals. Jesus said bless those that curse you and pray for those that spitefully use you. If you invest in praying for someone who's done you wrong, I guarantee it'll change your heart, and you'll begin to desire that the burning desire for the LORD would ignite in their heart.
V23 don't be surprised when you're faced with an angry countenance when you talk behind their back.
If someone backbites in our presense, the right response should be that their gossiping would be met with our anger. How dare you say that about them.
V24 The home should be a place of peace and calm and harmony. Ask the LORD for help, or ask a brother or sister to pray for you if you find yourself contributing to a chaotic home life.
V25 I'm just going to reference Revelation 3:14-22
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
15‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
V26 If you say you're a Christian, remember you represent Christ to the world. If you cut corners, and rebel against the rules, you ruin your witness.
V27 Self promotion to glorify yourself and self-seek will make you sick like eating too many sweets.
Psalm 75:1-10
1We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks,
For Your name is near;
Men declare Your wondrous works.
2“When I select an appointed time,
It is I who judge with equity.
3“The earth and all who dwell in it melt;
It is I who have firmly set its pillars.
Selah.
4“I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn;
5Do not lift up your horn on high,
Do not speak with insolent pride.’”
6For not from the east, nor from the west,
Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
7But God is the Judge;
He puts down one and exalts another.
8For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, and the wine foams;
It is well mixed, and He pours out of this;
Surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs.
9But as for me, I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off,
But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.
John 12:42-43 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
V28 without anger management, you're like this broken down, vunerable city.
Galatians 5:16 (NASB95) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
