Seventeenth Sunday After Trinity (B C P). Series

Psalm 33:6-12, Proverbs 25:6-14, Ephesians 4:1-6, Luke 14:1-11.

A). THE CREATOR GOD, OUR REDEEMER.

Psalm 33:6-12.

PSALM 33:6-7. “The word of the LORD” (cf. Psalm 33:4) is the same powerful, Creative word by which the cosmos was created (cf. Genesis 1:3). And Jesus is the Word (cf. John 1:1-3). “By the breath of His mouth” corresponds to the work of the Holy Spirit in Creation as there is only one Hebrew word for both “breath” and “Spirit.” The waters gathered together “as an heap” is also reminiscent of the Redemptive power of the LORD in the parting of the Red Sea (cf. Exodus 15:8).

PSALM 33:8-9. The whole earth is summoned to “fear the LORD” and “stand in awe of Him. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” All things of nothing!

PSALM 33:10-11. This same God confounds the counsel of the ungodly (cf. Psalm 2:2-3), and sets up His own unchanging counsel for all generations.

PSALM 33:12. “Blessed is the NATION whose God is the LORD; and the PEOPLE whom He hath CHOSEN for His own inheritance.” In ancient times, it was only Israel who had such a relationship with the LORD. Not that they chose Him, but that He chose them.

It is still true today that there is only one “people” who can thus be defined as those “whose God is the LORD… whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” That is the people referred to as ‘the Israel of God’ in Galatians 6:16 - the church of our Lord Jesus Christ - ‘chosen in Him from the foundation of the world’ (cf. Ephesians 1:4), and made up of both Jews and Gentiles (cf. Galatians 3:7-9). The word to the church is, ‘But ye are a CHOSEN generation, a royal priesthood, an holy NATION, a peculiar PEOPLE’ (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). It was His choice, not ours: but what a blessing it is! What an honour!

B). SOME OBSERVATIONS OF SOLOMON.

Proverbs 25:6-14.

1. “Come up hither” (Proverbs 25:6-7).

This proverb is doubtless what Jesus had in mind when He made His own parable about people choosing the finest seats for themselves at a feast (cf. Luke 14:7-11).

There are always ranks in society, any society. Solomon speaks of a king, and of “great men.” But he exhorts his pupils not to intrude themselves uninvited into such company (PROVERBS 25:6).

It is better to take a ‘low’ place in the great hall, and to be invited, “Come up hither;” rather than to be sent down lower in public shame and humiliation (PROVERBS 25:7).

The force of this argument is summed up in the reversal of roles indicated in Luke 14:11, which both abases the arrogant and elevates the humble. This is God’s work, and the order of priority in God’s kingdom.

Perhaps the greatest demonstration of this reversal comes from Jesus Himself (cf. Philippians 2:6-11).

In the incarnation Jesus gathered our manhood into the Godhead. He willingly partook of death on our behalf, ‘even the death of the cross’ – and God exalted Him to the place where He now receives honour from all.

And this supreme example of humility is one that we must aspire to reflect in our own lives (cf. Philippians 2:5)!

2. Do not be in hurry to take your neighbour to court (Proverbs 25:8-10).

“Go not hastily to strive” lest you end up regretting it “when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame” (PROVERBS 25:8). This will occur when he is proved right, and you are proved wrong (cf. Matthew 5:25).

“Debate thy cause with thy neighbour” – just you and him alone (cf. Matthew 18:15). And “discover not a secret to another” (PROVERBS 25:9). Do not bring any third party into the debate.

“Lest he that heareth thee put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away” (PROVERBS 25:10). If you involve a third party in your neighbour’s business, they in turn will also put you to shame, and the disgrace of it will remain upon you.

3. Right speech (Proverbs 25:11-14).

“A word fitly spoken” – or ‘in due season’ (cf. Proverbs 15:23; Isaiah 50:4) – “is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (PROVERBS 25:11). The “word fitly spoken” represents sound advice. The “pictures of silver” stand for the right setting: way, time and place for such advice.

“As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear” (PROVERBS 25:12). This indicates the value of sound advice, with gentleness on the part of the reprover; and a willingness to hear, understand, and obey on the part of the reproved.

“As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them who send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters” (PROVERBS 25:13). Nobody desires snow upon their harvest, but perhaps a snow-cooled drink in the heat of a harvest day. The opposite is found in Proverbs 10:26, where an unfaithful messenger is compared to ‘vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes’ of those who send him.