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A Study of Proverbs 25
December 23, 2007
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. This chapter begins a new collection of Solomon's proverbs. It repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. Be humble. Stay out of quarrels. Be honest. Quietly work out problems with others. Use moderation.
Bernie Parsons
Proverbs Chapter 25
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ 12-23-2007
Proverbs 25:1: “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.”
As I have said before, the book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, mostly, if not all, by Solomon. They were gathered together into one general collection.
Proverbs 25:2: “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”
God conceals matters, but kings search for the facts of a matter.
Proverbs 25:3: “The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.”
Some things are hard to study: the heavens, the depths of the earth, and the heart of kings.
Proverbs 25:4: Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5: Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.”
When impurities are removed from silver, the refiner will make a wonderful vessel. When wickedness is removed from before the king, he will rule righteously.
Proverbs 25:6: “Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.”
Luke 14:7: “And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
8: When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9: And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10: But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11: For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Rather than touting your own importance, allow others to do that for you, lest you be shamed by being too presumptuous.
Proverbs 25:8: “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.“
James 1:19: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Things done in anger and in haste usually work to our own hurt. We do well to take our time, listen to the other person, and try to figure the best way to solve a dispute.
Proverbs 25:9: “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.”
If we have a problem with others, we need to resolve it with them. We only create more trouble for ourselves when we disclose the dispute to those not directly involved.
Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
What a beautiful thought! A word of comfort or encouragement at the right moment is worth more than beautiful, expensive treasures.
Proverbs 25:12: “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”
A wise advisor is as valuable as a piece of gold jewelry to one who will accept advice.
Proverbs 25:13: ”As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.”
Like the coldness of snow in the heat of harvest refreshes, so does the trusted messenger who brings good news to his masters.
Proverbs 25:14: “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”
A man who claims to have an ability that he does not possess is like a storm front without rain—he is empty.
Proverbs 25:15: “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.”
It is better to persuade those in power through gentle persuasion—more is accomplished.
Proverbs 25:16: “Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”
Philippians 4:5: “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Use moderation--too much of a good thing makes one sick.
Proverbs 25:17: “Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.”
Familiarity breeds contempt! Moderation in all things!
Proverbs 25:18: “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.”
A false witness destroys his neighbor as surely as a hammer, sword, or sharp arrow.
Proverbs 25:19: “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”
Misplaced confidence adds to one’s troubles. Know who it is that you can trust.
Proverbs 25:20: “As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.”
The heavy hearted need comfort and consolation. Cheery songs don’t take away the pain. In fact, they eat away at the heart of the heavy hearted.
Proverbs 25:21: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.”
Romans 12:19: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20: Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21: Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Vengeance belongs to God. When our enemy is down, we need to offer him empathy.
Proverbs 25:23: “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”
Let talebearers and backbiters know that you don’t appreciate what they are doing.
Proverbs 25:24: “It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.”
As we saw before, peace at home is vital. Better to have a small corner of a rooftop on which to sleep than a mansion that comes with quarrels and contentions.
Proverbs 25:25: “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”
Good news is as refreshing as cold water on a hot day.
Proverbs 25:26: “A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.”
The righteous should not yield to the wicked, nor give them admiration.
Proverbs 25:27: “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
Vanity is not becoming. Self-promotion is in poor taste.
Proverbs 25:28: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
An out-of-control person is like a vulnerable city. You are inviting trouble, and it is only a matter of time before someone takes advantage of your vulnerability.
