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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Proverbs Chapter 25

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Solomon, Agur, and Lemuel
Date Penned: (970-931 BC)
Overview: Wisdom to Teach People to Live Godly (c 1-31)
Theme: Wisdom for Leaders (c 25-31)
Message: More Proverbs by Solomon (v 1-28)

Proverbs 25 Commentary 

(25:1) Godly Prosperity - Hezekiah's story is told in 2 Kings 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29-32; and Isaiah 36-39. He was one of the few kings of Judah who honored the Lord. By contrast, his father, Ahaz, actually nailed the temple door shut. Hezekiah restored the temple, destroyed idol worship centers, and earned the respect of surrounding nations, many of whom brought gifts to God because of him. It is not surprising that Hezekiah had these proverbs copied and read, for "in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered" (2 Chronicles 31:21). 

(25:2-6) Godly Leadership - This passage focuses on the king. Proverbs 25:2 indicates the importance of a king's efforts to discover the truth. This verse is followed by a proverb on the value of a king keeping his own counsel and making up his own mind. Then we read that because a wise king seeks good advisers, he must be aware of the danger of those who are wicked in places of influence. Last, a warning is issued to those within the court that anyone who makes demands on the king's time treads on dangerous ground. Hezekiah began his collection of wisdom with words for himself. 

(25:6-7) Godly Direction - Jesus made this proverb into a parable (see Luke 14:7-11). We should not seek honor for ourselves. The better approach is to quietly and faithfully accomplish the work God has given us to do. As others notice the quality of our efforts, they will be drawn to us 

(25:13) Godly Employees - It is often difficult to find people you can really trust. A faithful employee ("messenger") is punctual, responsible, honest, and hardworking. Such people are invaluable because they help take some of the pressure off their employers. Find out what your employer needs from you to make his or her job easier, and then do it. 

(25:14) Godly Stewardship - Most churches, mission organizations, and Christian groups depend on people's financial gifts to keep their ministries going, and those who promise to give that fail to follow through. The Bible is very clear about the effect this has on those involved in the ministry. Their productivity depends on faithful support from donors. If you make a pledge to help or give. keep your promise

(25:18) Lying - Telling lies (giving "false witness") about someone is as vicious as an act of physical violence. Its effects can be as permanent as a victim of your remarks with a sword. This image may shock you into the silence of a stab wound. The next time you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself stabbing the subject of the gossip.

(25:21-22) Godly Retaliation - God's form of retaliation is most effective and yet difficult to put into practice. Paul quotes this proverb in Romans 12:19-2 acknowledging God as the balancer of all accounts and trusting him to be the judge. Matthew 5:44. Jesus encourages us to pray for those who spite us. By returning good for evil.

(25:26) Compromise -"Falling down before the wicked" means to set aside your standards of right and wrong. Compromising with the wicked pollutes your mind and heart. It may render you unfit to do good, even when you want to help. 

(25:27) Do Your Best - Dwelling on honors we expected and perhaps even deserved but never received can only be harmful. It can make us bitter and may make you miss the satisfaction of knowing you did your best (see Galatians 6:4:5). discouraged, or angry, and it will not bring the rewards we think should be ours but Praying for what you should have.

(25:28) Necessary Boundaries - Even though city walls restricted their inhabitants' movements, people were happy to have them. Without walls, the people would not have protection, but this restrains us, to be sure, but is necessary. An out-of-control life leaves us open to all sorts of enemy attacks. I would be vulnerable to attack by any passing group of marauders. Think of self-control as a wall for defense.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Vessels of Honor


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 25. In our text today, we start with Wisdom for Leaders as Solomon directed this proverb to the king, which are excellent words of Wisdom for leaders. What catches my eye is verse 4, which says if we separated the dross from the silver, we will have a finer vessel. In making application we see that we too need to have the impurities sifted from our lives to make ourselves vessels worthy of honor. How about you? Do you see the impurities in your life that need to be filtered? Let us learn from our text today to remember that we need to be sifted to remove the impurities in our lives to be vessels of honor fit for the Master's use.

 

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Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25

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

 2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

 3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

 4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

 5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

 6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

 7For better it is 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.

 8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

 9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

 10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

 12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

 13As 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.

 14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

 15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

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

 17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

 18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

 19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

 20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

 21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

 22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

 23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

 24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

 25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

 26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

 27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

 28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.