Tuesday's Tidbit

Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Good morning, family and friends!

The month of August is passing fast, as is our Perusing the Proverbs session. Today is Day 25, Chapter 25 of our discussion of this informative book of the Bible. Here are my thoughts for each verse:

1- It appears that the men of Hezekiah, who was the king of Judah, copied down these proverbs of Solomon.

2- It is the glory of God to conceal a matter but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. 

3- This verse reminds me of Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. The King of kings is truly unsearchable.

4- I like this verse - "Take away the dross (or waste) from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer." The refining process for gold and silver is for the purpose of removing impurities (dross), so the finished product is purer. Trials do that for a person. They are not meant to hurt us but to help remove things from our lives and make us more like the Lord.

5- If the wicked are taken away, then the king's throne shall be established in righteousness.

6-7 - It's best to not exalt ourselves in front of great men because we might be embarrassed when we're asked to step down. It's better to let them ask us to "Come up hither." These verses coincide with Matthew 23:12 - "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

8 - Don't be in a hurry to start an argument for when it's all said and done, our neighbor might put us to shame.

9-10 -  Debate with your neighbor alone. Don't reveal secrets to someone else because the person who hears it might put you to shame, and you will acquire a bad reputation.

11 - One of my Dad's favorite verses, and a beautiful word picture - A word that is said just right at just the right time is like golden apples with a silver background.

12 - When a wise person reproves someone who will listen and obey, that very act is an ornament to the obedient person's character.

13- Quoting from the Commentary of A. R. Fausset: "Snow from the mountains was used to cool drinks; so refreshing is a faithful messenger."

14- To boast of a false gift is to be like clouds and wind without rain.

15- Gentle persuasion can turn the prince, and to speak softly can break a bone. 

16- If you have found honey, eat only what you need, or else it'll make you sick.

17- Don't stay at your neighbor's house too long, or you'll wear out your welcome.

18- A very "sharp" word picture is found in this verse. If we lie against our neighbor, we are like a maul, a sword, and a sharp arrow. Lies hurt!

19- Another "painful" word picture here - If we put our confidence in an unfaithful man during trouble, it's like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint. OUCH!!

20- If we sing songs to someone with a heavy heart, it is similar to taking away a person's coat during the cold weather, or the sound of sizzling as when vinegar is poured onto baking soda. 

21-22 - These verses concur with Romans 12:20-21: "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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." The Lord will reward us if we do good to those who wrong us.

23- The north wind brings rain; the backbiting tongue brings angry looks.

24- Solomon, who knew a lot about women, said it was better to dwell in the corner of a housetop rather than to be in a big house with a quarrelsome woman.

25- Cold water refreshes just like good news from a far country.

26- If a righteous man falls down before the wicked, it's like a troubled fountain or a corrupt spring.

27- See also verse 16 - it's not good to eat too much honey; much like it is not good for men to seek their own glory.

28- If a person cannot keep his spirit under control, it is like a city all broken down and having no walls. Temperance (or self-control) is one of the fruits of the Spirit. 

Thanks again for stopping by. May God bless you richly today. Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow......