Lost and Found Proverbs Proverbs 25:1-28
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; 7 For it is better that he say to you, “ Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. 8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? 9 Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; 10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. 16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you. 18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. 20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you. 23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. 24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. 27 It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory. 28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.
Proverbs 25:1NLT These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
This collection of 137 proverbs was spoken by Solomon and most likely copied into a collection during the reign of Judah’s king, Hezekiah. These proverbs were added to the collection of Proverbs. King Hezekiah tried to bring revival to Judah, he elevated the forgotten wisdom of David and Solomon. (This is spoken of in, I Kings 4: 30-32)
Proverbs 25:2NLT It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
Here, the role of God and the Kings role are compared. God, whose knowledge is above human knowledge, and whose ways are unsearchable, keeps some things to Himself because He needs no counsel. On the contrary, Kings should righty seek to know what they must know in order to rule righteously.
Psalm 92:5NLT O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts.
Isa. 46:10NLT Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
Hebrews 4:10NLT Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
No counsel: Romans 11:34NLT For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?
Proverbs 25:3NLT No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind.
Just as there 4 things that cannot be understood in Proverbs 30:18-19NLT God controls the hearts of kings. 18). There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don’t understand: 19 how an eagle glides through the sky,how a snake slithers on a rock,how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman.
Proverbs 25:4NLT Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
This process is compared to the purification of society. (Its general rules.)
Proverbs 25:5NLT Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
A nation is established as wisdom replaces and purifies wickedness.
Proverbs 25:6-7NLT Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something,
The key word here is, stay humble. Remember, James 4:7-10NLT So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Jesus addressed this also in, Luke 14: 8-10NLT “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.
Proverbs 25:8-10NLT don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? 9 When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. 10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
A man with a contentious spirit is quick to go to court. However, it’s always better to talk this out with that neighbor than to face public shame.
Proverbs 25:11-12NLT Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
Here, the imagery of beauty describes well chosen words, including words of rebuke.
Proverbs 25:13NLT Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
A faithful messenger of truth refreshes every situation.
Proverbs 25:14NLT A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
This is a image applied to unproductive men.
Listen to Jude 12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.
Proverbs 25:15NLT Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
Patience is a mighty weapon.
Proverbs 25:16-17NLT Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.
I place there two verses go together because, the writer is instructing the wise not to overdo anything, or become overbearing with a friend that can lead into disgust and rejection.
Proverbs 25:18NLT Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword,or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
Listen to Psalm 57:4NLT I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
Proverbs 25:19NLT Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
Remember when the Hebrews were relying on Egypt?
Proverbs 25:20NLT Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.
Psalm 137:3-4NLT For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem! 4 But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?
Proverbs 25:21-22NLT If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
As metals are melted by placing fiery coals on them, so in the heart of an enemy softened by such kindness.
II Kings 6:21-23NLT When the king of Israel saw them, he shouted to Elisha, “My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?”22 “Of course not!” Elisha replied. “Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again to their master.” 23 So the king made a great feast for them and then sent them home to their master. After that, the Aramean raiders stayed away from the land of Israel.
Proverbs 25:23NLT As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
In school you were taught, cause and effect. Rain clouds bring rain, and slander produces anger.
Proverbs 25:24NLT It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
In this case, it would be better to live alone!
Proverbs25:25NLT Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.
Everybody loves to hear good news.
Proverbs 25:26NLT If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
The righteous one who sins muddies the water for the wicked who see him.
Psalm 17:5NLT My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.
Proverbs 25: 27NLT It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
Enjoying the sweetness of your own success is sickening.
Proverbs 25:28NLT A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
Anything becomes exposed and vulnerable. The enemy can come in and lute (steal).
Prayer
