PROVERBS 25

PROVERBS 25:1 EVERYONE HAS A PURPOSE These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. United Kingdom: 1050 – 930 B.C. Solomon: 970 – 930 B.C.; 3,000 proverbs Israel: 930 – 722 B.C.; Assyria Judah: 930 – 586 B.C.; Babylon Hezekiah: 715 – 686 B.C.

PROVERBS 25:2 GOD KNOWS ALL – WE DISCOVER SOME It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 God’s knowledge is complete, absolute, & true All human knowledge is discovered, partial, and depends on God’s revelation.

Creator – creation Distinction For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1:16-17 One Triune Creator Personal Sovereign God Independent Infinite Authority REVELATION Creation Dependent Finite Submissive

PROVERBS 25:3 INVISIBLE YET VISIBLE As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. We see only the external actions. God sees the heart behind the actions. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

PROVERBS 25:4-5 HOW TO PURIFY Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. Something must be removed to purify. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24 Do you want to be purified?

PROVERBS 25:6-7 SELF-PROMOTION! BEWARE! Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

PROVERBS 25:8-10, 18 KEEP CONFLICT PRIVATE & HONEST What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15 How do you handle conflict?

PROVERBS 25:11-12 WORDS: BEAUTY & VALUE A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Proper words properly given and properly received are of lasting value to all! How do you talk to others? How easy is it to talk to you?

PROVERBS 25:13 FAITHFUL SERVANT Like 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. Christians submit faithfully to Christ, their master. Independent rebel or faithful submissive servant? His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21

PROVERBS 25:14, 19 EMPTY PROMISES Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. “I do.” A promise keeper or a treacherous man with empty promises “in the time of trouble”? Trustworthy or painful and useless?

PROVERBS 25:24 A PROMISE KEEPER? It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33 Problems are never 100-0 Marriage: cultural lies vs. Biblical Truth Only 2 Biblical reasons to quit; unhappy is not one

PROVERBS 25:16-17 TOO MUCH! If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you. Moderation is always proper. Do you know when enough is enough? Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 1 Timothy 6:6

PROVERBS 25:20 HOW NOT TO RESPOND! Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor. 1:3-4

PROVERBS 25:21-22 HOW TO RESPOND! If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45

PROVERBS 25:26,28 PREPARE FOR WAR! Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12