The Right Word at the Right Time
Proverbs 25:1-28
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- Have you ever watched the Emmy, Oscar or Tony awards program on TV? What interests you most?
- If you were to receive a prestigious award, would you: (a) Run to the front? (b) Casually saunter? (c) Delay your move? (d) Walk slowly with dignity? (e) Boycott the program? What would prompt this reaction?
#People = King Solomon, Kings and Rulers, Neighbors and Foes
#Time =
#Place = Ancient Israel (implied)
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen
8do not hastily bring into court,a
forb what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
11A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
15With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.c
28A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls.
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
8do not hastily bring into court,a
forb what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.c
28A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Proverbs Chapter 25 contains a collection of wisdom sayings attributed to King Solomon. These proverbs offer guidance on various aspects of life, including leadership, relationships, communication, and personal conduct.
The chapter can be divided into several main sections:- Wisdom and Authority (Verses 1-7):
- Establishes the authority of Solomon's proverbs
- Emphasizes the importance of truth and justice in leadership
- Humility and Leadership (Verses 8-10):
- Advises against rushing into a king's presence
- Recommends humility in seeking great positions
- Words and Actions (Verses 11-15):
- Highlights the value of appropriate speech ("apples of gold")
- Emphasizes patience and calmness in difficult situations
- Moderation and Sensitivity (Verses 16-20):
- Uses honey as a metaphor for moderation
- Encourages reliability and sensitivity, especially in challenging times
- Dealing with Enemies and Self-Control (Verses 21-28):
- Advises showing kindness rather than retaliation toward enemies
- Emphasizes the importance of self-control
Key Points to Consider
It provides guidance on leadership, governance, human relationships, ethical conduct, and dealing with foes.
Many of these proverbs can be applied to contemporary life, offering timeless wisdom on personal growth and relationship building.
Application to Modern Life
- In leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of seeking truth and justice.
- In personal relationships, promoting humility and appropriate communication.
- In conflict situations, encouraging patience and calmness over aggression.
- In daily life, we are reminded to enjoy pleasures in moderation and practice reliability and sensitivity.
- When dealing with adversaries, suggesting kindness over retaliation.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- Many of Solomon's proverbs are but "variations on a theme." What major themes do you see? What variations are significant in this chapter? How do they affect his message?
- In what ways are kings like, and unlike, God and the silversmith (vv. 2-5)? What would it be like for you to stand in the presence of each? What does Jesus say about this in his parable (see Lk 14:7-14)?
- How do leaders "remove wickedness from their presence" (vv. 4-5,26)? What does that achieve? Why does that seem so hard to do?
- Why is it crucial to settle out of court (v. 8)? To keep a confidence (vv. 9-10)?
- What variations do you see here on the power of the spoken word, for good and evil (vv. 9-15, 20, 23, 25)?
- When does quiet persistence win out? What other actions speak louder than words (see Ro 12:20)? What does it mean (v. 22) to "heap coals on his head"? What faith in God does this method of revenge pre- suppose?
- What variation on the "honey" theme do you see here (vv. 16, 27; see 24:13)? What rules of thumb does this suggest for any who wish not to overstay their welcome, or not indulge in too much of a good thing?
- What do the repeated themes in Proverbs do for you: (a) Drive home a point I may have missed? (b) Suggest new areas for application? (c) Bore me to tears? (d) Develop a habit from reinforced ideas?
- What things do you think God has concealed from you (v. 2)? What is your attitude toward this? Is finding the answer an obtainable goal, a worthy pursuit, a matter of trust, or like eating from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Ge 2:17)?
- If you practiced the principle of humility set forth in verses 6-7, what would happen at work? At home? At church? To what would you like to be elevated?
- From the integrity and humility theme, what hits you like a "club, a sword, or a sharp arrow"(v. 18)? Why?
- What area of your life would you compare to a "broken down wall" (v. 28)? What will you do to regain that missing measure of self-control? How might others in your small group help you shore up those weaker areas?
- What "good news from a distant land" (v. 25) would be refreshing to your soul right now? Move
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others via social media links at this bottom.
- What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
- Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
- What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be humble and always think of others first. In the Name of Jesus.
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