Chapter 25 begins with an acknowledgement as to who is the author of the following Proverbs and who retrieved them from Solomon’s writings. It says that they were retrieved by the servants of Hezekiah the king of Judah at about 700 BC. It is not known for sure who these servants were, but it is assumed that they were men of clout and renown and in all probability closely connected to and respected by the king, as the king would want to be sure to preserve the original meaning in the copy and translation, not letting just anybody do this work. It is thought that these men may have been perhaps his ministers of state, such as Eliakim, Sheban, and Joah; or it may have been some of the prophets of his time like Isaiah, Micah, and Hosea: Whoever these men were some versions call them his "friends" which give us a picture of the heart and posture of King Hezekiah as not all kings were friendly with their current day prophets. It may reveal his inherent desire that he the king had to ‘do that which is right’ as stated in II Kings 18. It is in all likely hood that retrieving these proverbs was done at the king’s personal request and knowing the background history of King Hezekiah this request in all likely hood came as a result of the king’s need for wisdom for ruling and leading Israel. As a wise king King Hezekiah went looking for true wisdom to lead and guide him and found what he was looking for in Solomon’s writings. This section could be said to be ‘fit for a king’ as some (the Targum and Syriac versions) have referred to this section as the ‘deep’ sayings of Solomon. This begins the third division of the book of Proverbs which includes chapters 25-29.
He begins in v. 2 by reminding us that wisdom is truly from God. There are thoughts and concepts as well as rhythm and rhyme and precepts that are saved for God and His elect, those who are wise enough to search it out. Proverbs 24:23 tells us that ‘these things (wisdom) belong to the wise’. Here he says that it is to the glory of those who are wise as kings to diligently search out this hidden wisdom. The question could come here asking why God conceals a matter. Does He get pleasure in watching us flounder due to lack of knowledge or wisdom? No. It says that it His glory being wise that causes Him to keep wise things hidden. Some things man is not ready for and would be unable to use and apply in a wise manner. It is better for all that it be concealed until it be sought out and studied becoming knowledgeable and more familiar with what they are dealing with hopefully prompting more responsible application. It is also good to remember that wisdom is often revealed for God’s purposes not just man’s benefit.
V. 2 says that it is a special breed of person that in often capable of digging in, capable of the thought and heart needed to think through the details and consequences of this hidden wisdom. It is to a king’s honor that he is able to think on a different level than most of us, being equipped for thinking on a larger scale, understanding more difficult concepts and consequences of this wisdom when applied. Kings see things that must be and therefore must have answers. Down inside they know that the answer is hidden and lies with God and are willing to wrestle God so to speak for answers.
V. 3 Most of us are quick to criticize a king or higher elected official for the actions and decisions that they make , but this verse says that in reality that as hard as we may try, we may not understand the wisdom of their actions. Many things done by a king are often appreciated in hindsight long after the action was taken. This in no way means to imply that we should never question our leaders’ decisions and actions. But it is wise to not judge them too quickly taking some time to understand their rational before passing judgment. There are times when some of their decisions we have to accept and follow in faith hoping that they are right because some things are much more complex than our ability to understand. Thank God for kings! They are special people placed by God for special tasks.
V. 4-5 No professional would think of forming their works of art out of unpurified metal. Unpurified metal is brittle, tarnished, weak and holds none of the qualities of a purified product. If unpurified metal is used to make something the resulting end product would be junk no matter how capable the craftsmen. If a professional silversmith was to have any chance of being successful at working their craft and doing a good job they would first choose silver having the dross or imperfections removed allowing their skill to be demonstrated in the material. It is the same for a king. It is near impossible for a good king to do anything constructive if there is nothing to work with. If most or a large part of the government is broken most of their early effort will be poured into removing the dross and purifying the process. In our day it is not just the government that may need to be reshaped, but things like factions, public opinion and media may also need to be encouraged to look at things differently supporting what is right. Sometimes the first job of a good king is to remove the wicked clearing the way for them to establish what is on their heart. It is like preparing fertile soil for the planting of good seed. Good seed sown in poor soil yields little to nothing.
V. 6-7 These verses relate to Lk. 14:8-11, Mt. 23:11-2 and Js. 4:5-6 which remind us not to exalt ourselves. It is only natural to believe that if we can get noticed by someone important that we might get our big break in life having some of their success rub off on us. But, these verses remind us not to make a fool of ourselves and be noticed for the wrong reason. We all mature and become good at our skills over time. We tend to often want recognition before we are deserved of it. These verses remind us that we will often receive recognition of our gifts and abilities when we deserve it and our talents and abilities really are worth mentioning and noticing. In other words it is not necessary to be noticed by a king to get our big break when we are doing right. In exalting our self we often put our self in a position that we are not ready for. It seems that everyone else knows it, we often come to it afterword having been blinded by pride. However, we frequently also do not realize our own abilities, but others do take notice and it is a confirmation when they invite us to join others with a prominent position or talent having similar abilities. He reminds us that it is better to be exalted by others than to exalt ourselves.
V. 8 tells us to think things through and not be too hasty beginning confrontation. Even if you are right there is a time and a place to make your stand and not being wise in this could end up being more than you can handle. Some have the personality of diving into confrontation quickly not thinking it through as to what are the possible outcomes of where it will end. He warns that you must be ready and realize that there is a chance that it may not come out in your favor. In fact, this verse seems to have the warning that there is even a possibility that the legal battle may turn against you making you wish that you had never begun the process. He is not saying to avoid confrontation at all costs. It is important to stand up for what is right. But, he warns us to not begin this process in a hurry or hastily, telling us to take a little time and think things through first. In doing so, we will be ready for possible twists and turns in the process, being ready to deal with them, hopefully coming out in the end with a fair and right outcome. V. 9 tells us that in considering the advice in v. 8 it might be better to give the situation a chance and first go to your neighbor before beginning a legal battle. You might be surprised. Your neighbor just might listen, or you may see a way out working things through.(Matt. 18:15) He also reminds us in v. 10 to be discreet not revealing private matters to others. In guarding other people’s reputation and private matters other people who know us will respect us for doing so. If we do not protect another person’s dignity we in turn will get a reputation that will be hard to repair. The New Living Translation puts it this way ‘Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation’.
V. 11 Some things go together by necessity and others are a perfect fit just made for this occasion. It appears that Solomon was making a comparison of words that fit precisely a situation being adorned on the situation like fine works of art. Some words or descriptions are adequate; others are pure poetry that fit so perfectly that they are as ‘apples of gold’ fit on the skilled workmanship and craftsmanship of a silversmith’s ornate silver platter. When you see it is truly something to behold. So are words spoken like this that not only answer the question or respond to reply/inquire, but go forth with grace melting all opposition winning the enemy or the offended. Pv. 15:23
V. 12 In our era we tend to not be fond of criticism. Everything has to be said the right way, at the right time, when we are in the right mood, and then being careful not to bruise the fruit by looking at them the wrong way. This verse says that you can give constructive straightforward criticism to someone that wants the truth and they will take it and apply it and wear it well. As a matter of fact, while most others would side step or cast off the advice given, this person will take it and put it on or apply it and actually look marvelous in it, as if they were wearing an ornament of gold.
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