Day 193: Proverbs 25-28

(The previous post covered three chapters that gave several specific applications of the themes of the previous chapters. In fact, the examples almost read like a final list...as if this was the end of the Book of Proverbs.)

Proverbs 25
¹ These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

(This chapter contained proverbs from Solomon but copied down by the men of King Hezekiah. This sentence implied the previous proverbs were all from Solomon. There was some evidence that about 275 years after Solomon, Hezekiah had the books of the Old Testament edited by Isaiah. The following proverbs of Solomon may be a compilation from different writings of Solomon, perhaps even like a "best of.")

² It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; 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.

(God had all the information, kings/man did not. Man ought to search out a matter in order to understand it...however, understanding a king's heart may not be possible for his subjects.)

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

(A king's throne would be established in the long term only by righteousness.)

⁶ Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:
⁷ For better is it 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.

(Humble yourself and you will be exalted, exalt yourself and you will be humbled. See Luke 14.)

⁸ Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
⁹ Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, And disclose not the secret of another;
¹⁰ Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.

(This sounded like the advice you would get from the king's/judge's perspective: If you have a cause to debate with your neighbor, go to him first. See Matthew 18.)

¹¹ A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver.

(A word spoken for the right reason (why) and in the right way (how) was as treasure.)

¹² As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

(Wise correction was as treasure to those who had an obedient ear...those who were contrastive and wanted to be shown where they were wrong.)

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.
¹⁴ As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

(Clouds without rain were empty: vain. So were those who bragged about their gifts falsely.)

¹⁵ By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

(Knowing the right way to listen (forbearing) and speak (soft tongue) was important. These were powerful tools when communicating and doing this right would benefit the people you interacted with.)

¹⁶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

(Be content with what you have. The physical runs down over time.)

¹⁷ Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
¹⁸ A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

(Trusting in someone who was untrustworthy was going to lead you down the wrong path or no path. This mini-section seemed to speak from experience and was mildly pessimistic.)

²⁰ As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
²¹ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
²² For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.

(If you love your enemy, you will have Reward and your enemy will be overcome. See Romans 12:19-21.)

²³ The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
²⁴ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
²⁵ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
²⁶ As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey: So for men to search out their own glory is grievous.

(Why do you do the things you do? To get affirmed? To help others?)

²⁸ He whose spirit is without restraint Is like a city that is broken down and without walls.

(This chapter contained proverbs from the perspective of the king/judge, and they were mildly pessimistic.)




Proverbs 26
¹ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.

(A fool did not even recognize the value in honor. A fool was without understanding.)

² As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

(Fools were compared to animals that needed a physical correction to get their attention.)

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

(It was better to not answer a fool at all. Fools had no understanding and would not receive your answer whether you were giving them understanding or not. Verse 3 was the only correction a fool would respond to, through experience.)

⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

(This would be an example of trusting someone who was untrustworthy. A fool had no understanding and therefore no trust. Giving this person responsibility would only be a detriment to you.)

⁷ The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

(A parable in the mouth of a fool had no strength because it had no understanding...no why.)

⁸ As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
⁹ As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
¹⁰ As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
¹¹ As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

(This verse was referenced in 2 Peter 2:22. This was the opposite of repentance. Repentance was turning the opposite way. So far, this chapter focused on the frustration associated with dealing with fools.)

¹² Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
¹³ The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
¹⁴ As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
¹⁵ The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

(A sluggard was a specific type of fool: someone who rested without work (sloth). These examples showed that a sluggard also justified why he could be lazy. To the point that seven men with a reason could not cause the sluggard to humble himself.)

¹⁷ He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
¹⁸ As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
¹⁹ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

(Deceiving your neighbor was compared to using weapons (including death!) against someone and rationalizing it by saying, "I was only joking!" )

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

(Contention stopped when there was no gossip.)

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

(Contentious men were another specific type of fool: they argued for the sake of the argument and to prove themselves right, not to gain understanding.)

²² The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
²³ Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

(Fervent (burning) lips and an evil heart were like a clay pot covered in silver. They may look good on the outside but the inside was made of dust.)

²⁴ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

(Words were used to destroy by those who hate.)

²⁵ When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
²⁶ Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
²⁷ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

(...judgment against the deceitful.)

²⁸ A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

(This chapter focused on the frustration associated with dealing with fools, sluggards, and contentious/deceitful people. Solomon sounded like he was speaking from experience...)




Proverbs 27
¹ Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

(Focus on the moment and how you can be wise right now. You may not have another day to do what is right.)

² Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips.

(Let others affirm you, and affirm others first.)

³ A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool's vexation is heavier than they both.

(A fool's wrath/anger was heavier (more abundant) than stone.)

⁴ Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?
⁵ Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden.
⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

(Wounds from a friend would be correction for your benefit, a kiss from an enemy was short term distraction for a destructive purpose.)

⁷ The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

(A hungry soul was one that was pursing growth by finding out where they were wrong (contrastive). "Bitter things" were sweet to those who focused on growth.)

⁸ As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place.
⁹ Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man's friend that cometh of hearty counsel.

(Oil and perfume let off a scent and rejoiced the heart. Our sense of smell is tied directly to our emotions and memory.)

¹⁰ Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.
¹¹ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me.
¹² A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

(A man with understanding recognized evil and hid himself from it. Those without understanding suffered for it.)

¹³ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for a foreign woman.
¹⁴ He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It shall be counted a curse to him.

(This was excessive flattery: affirming someone without a reason. This was also known as "gainsaying." When you affirm someone, you should know why you are affirming them. You ought to affirm them as an effect of a specific cause and the person you are affirming ought to be made aware of the specific cause.)

¹⁵ A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike:
¹⁶ He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil.
¹⁷ Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

(Iron sharpened iron: conversation promoted intelligence, which the face exhibited. What types of conversations promote intelligence? Conversations that are contrastive and remove contradictions. These confrontational types of conversations, when done by speaking the "truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), bring an increase of understanding and wisdom.)

¹⁸ Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored.

(Serving your master would bring you honor in the long term, through Justice.)

¹⁹ As in water face answereth to face, So the heart of man to man.

(As a man saw his face in the reflection of water so did men see the hearts of other men by their actions.)

²⁰ Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied.

(The eyes of "man" sought physical things. The physical would never satisfy.)

²¹ The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is tried by his praise.
²² Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

(A fool would remain a fool until he considered he could be wrong.)

²³ Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds:

(Be intentional about knowing the state of the people under your care and see that you do well for them.)

²⁴ For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations?

(The care we give to those under our care ought to be profitable over the long term. Only supporting those we lead by giving them riches (physical things) will not help them long term.)

²⁵ The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
²⁶ The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field;
²⁷ And there will be goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And maintenance for thy maidens.

(This chapter seemed to focus on the interactions between people, both good and bad.)




Proverbs 28
¹ The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.

(The wicked were guilty and paranoid (they ran when no one was chasing them). The righteous were confident because they were willing to consider they could be wrong. If you are trying to find out where you are wrong, what do you have to be afraid of?)

² For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

(Men of understanding and knowledge brought long term benefits.)

³ A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
⁴ They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
⁵ Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.

(Evil men did not understand Justice. Those who sought God understood all things. Notice, Justice and Jehovah were the comparisons in this verse. This was because God was Just.)

⁶ Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

(It was better to do right and have nothing than have much and do wrong.)

⁷ Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
⁸ He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
⁹ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

(Those who did not even attempt to understand the Law (God’s guidance) were not heard by God. Their prayers were an abomination!)

¹⁰ Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.

(The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 14:13 that the only thing we (believers) ought to judge is if a stumblingblock is put in the path of a believer. Judge the stumblingblock, not the person.)

¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

(Men suffered when the wicked were in a position of power.)

¹³ He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

(Confession and repentance granted you mercy.)

¹⁴ Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
¹⁵ As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

(A wicked ruler was as an animal that was only focused on itself and its survival, no one else.)

¹⁶ The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
¹⁷ A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
¹⁸ Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

(Whoever walked (made progress) uprightly (Righteously through grace) would be saved.)

¹⁹ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

(Those who were profitable would receive profit. Those who depended on the profit of others would be poor.)

²⁰ A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

(Is God your cause of money or is money your cause?)

²¹ To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

(God was not a respecter of persons. This meant God gave and then gave everyone the opportunity to follow Him and make that choice. We also should give others the opportunity to be excellent.)

²² he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
²³ He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
²⁴ Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer.

(You were considered a friend of a destroyer (an evil one) if you said that robbing your father or mother was not a transgression.)

²⁵ He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.

(If your focus was on your faith in God, you would be given plenty in the long term.)

²⁶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
²⁷ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

(Solomon encouraged the reader to give to the poor. He that did give to the poor would not lack. Did Solomon take his own advice?)

²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

(This chapter seemed to contrast the righteous with the wicked.)

(This post covered the final proverbs of Solomon. They read like a summary: advice from a king/judge, frustration with fools, interactions between people, and contrasting the righteous with the wicked. The next chapter was Solomon's final chapter in the Book of Proverbs...)

Day 194