# 39 2023 Prov. 25:11-12. Righteousness! Read all of chapter twenty five first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story! Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Proverbs 25:11-12 “Like apples of gold in settings of silveris a ruling rightly given. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.”
Proverbs 25 Continues with more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by King Hezekiah of Judah. Still using couplets, mostly complementing each other, kings are included here. Today, however Christians are prophets, priests, and kings. This chapter emphasizes righteousness.
Vs.1-3 “It is the Gory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” to understand the laws of nature, to discover God’s rules, and God’s ways. Think of what man has discovered already and what we will yet discover. The more we discover the less we really know about God’s glory, God’s creation or God’s Word!
Vs.4-5 “Remove the dross from the silver… remove wicked officials…”. Remove our wicked thoughts and actions, we change our ways and our righteousness shines through!
Vs.6-7 “Do not exalt yourself…” Pride is deadly, humility is life!
Vs.8 “What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court…” Sometimes things are not what they seem, practice caution!
Vs.9-10 “If you take your neighbor to court…” do not talk about it to others!
Vs.11-12 “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.” True justice, brings peace! “Like an earring of gold… fine gold…” Is the advice of a “wise judge to a listening ear.” Today, a just ruling is rare, one who listens is even harder to find!
Vs.13-14 “Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time…” at a time of hard work is a trustworthy person in one’s life but one who boasts falsely is empty!
V.15 stands alone. More may be accomplished “through patience… and a gentle tongue…” Amen and amen!
Vs.16-17 “If you find honey, eat just enough… Seldom set foot in your neighbors house…” All things in moderation!
Vs18-20 giving “false testimony against a neighbor.” Is “like a club or a sword or a arrow sharp” To depend “on the unfaithful in a time of trouble” is “like a broken tooth or a lame foot.” Lack of compassion is an open wound. Do unto others as you would have them do to you!
Vs.21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food… give him water to drink, and the Lord will reward you.” The blessings of God!
V.23 “a sly tongue” brings unexpected discord. May we all learn to hold our tongue until an appropriate time!
V.24 “Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Or with a cantankerous husband!
Vs.25-26 “Good news is like cold water to a weary soul.” The fall of the righteous “is like a muddied spring or a polluted well”. Good news and the upstanding righteous are a blessing from God!
Vs.27-28 Eating too much honey is lack of self control, Looking in to matters that are too deep, matters only God knows, does not honor God!
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