Proverbs Study – Lesson 35 (Proverbs chapter 25:13-28)
V. 13 There is nothing like being refreshed with something cold on a hot day. Different expositors explain the details of this verse in different ways. Most agree that in the culture that it was written it was highly unlikely that it would snow during harvest time. When explaining the meaning of a proverb one would often use an analogy to get their point across using something that the hearer could identify with. It is unlikely that Solomon was referring to it snowing as the refreshment that he wanted to use as his analogy to make his point. Not having refrigeration in that day there were few things that he could be referring to. But, several expositors made the point that the cold that he was referring to may have been from stored up snow from the winter in what were called ‘snow houses’ that were dug out areas in the ground under the house in which winter snow and or actually ice was saved for cooling things in the summer. This region can get very hot during harvest and a cold drink or other cold application would be very refreshing during hot hard work. Similar storage of snow or actually in this case ice was routinely done in North American regions by harvesting ice from lakes cutting the ice in blocks and storing them in the ground for summer use. A dependable messenger was like a cold drink on a hot day.
Messengers in those days were essential for getting things done. First they would have to be dependable carrying the message at any cost to its intended destination, being sure that it reached the ears of the designated receiver and no one else. A message that fell into the wrong hands could be devastating. Messengers were the target of interception. There was no electronic communication in that day. Also, a faithful messenger would be one that delivered the exact message given; being sure that the words and content was brought forth. Messages in that day may have been written, but often were translated verbally also having the possibility of losing details or meaning in the process or translation. A faithful messenger would be good at remembering all of the details and at getting the message through at any cost, as if the one sending the message were delivering it. A dependable messenger like this, especially in Solomon’s day, would be as he says ‘refreshing’. Dependable people, like a ‘faithful messenger’, are still very valuable and refreshing today. Finding people that you can depend on that will transfer information accurately to the needed destination is essential to getting the job done and done well and right.
V. 14 People depend on us. People at times make claims of their abilities only to find out that when they are needed there is nothing there. We hire people for a job or set up a project which includes other people based on a person’s claim on their abilities only to find out when everyone is in place and ready to go that one of the key people has no clue of what to do, not having the skill they claimed to. In the Middle East rain is often scarce and it is a welcomed sight to see cloud formation looking like a downpour. How disappointing when hopes are dashed seeing the clouds produce nothing and fierce winds evaporate any potential moisture into nothing. The same is found when you depend on someone to do a good job resting in the belief that it is as good as done only to find out that you made a big mistake in depending on this person. Next time in beginning an important project it might be a good idea to get dependable references and ask more pointed or specific questions of your key people that are involved. If someone claims to have ability it is a good idea to ask for proof of their work before trusting them.
V. 15 Persistence often pays off. This verse shares some wise thoughts on conversation and the art of persuasiveness. The first part of this verse reminds me of the passage in Luke chapter 18:1-8 where the widow got what she came for because of being persistent. However, the first part of this verse gives that impression with a little different twist. It gives the impression of persistence, but in doing so not being annoying or irritating to the one you are making the request to. It is more like being persistent in a pleasant way. The second part of this verse brings out the ‘Power’ of words said right. They need not be loud or overbearing, but if crafted and applied right quiet words can be extremely powerful. Things said in sincerity, truth and with heart go a long way. Have you ever had someone say something soft or quiet and it hit you with force impacting you initiating a change in your life? Often putting force into a request or comment can end up having a negative effect. Soft words spoken right can be very powerful.
V. 16 More is not always better. As Americans we tend to be people of excess. We go to the store to get the one thing that we need and come back with three just because it was on sale or packaged that way. Often we only needed the one. Now we have two others to get rid of or find use for. We go to Dick’s (sporting goods) for a baseball or two and we end up buying a dozen paying more than we intended to spend. Because we have extras we become more careless with our baseballs. Having one or two we would practice responsibility and not lose them, now we have so many we can afford to lose some becoming irresponsible, ending up losing them all having now none when we really need one.
In v. 16 it says that some honey is good. It is refreshing. It is actually a treat. But, there is more than we need. What do we tend to do with the extra? All too often we being human would tend to have more, and then, a little more, eventually making us sick. It’s too much. It has now gotten in the way. Instead of being a help or a blessing it has become a burden. This proverb tends to remind us that our life is not made of the excess. It is good because of having enough. It is not saying that we should not have two, or at times three in planning for the future needs. But, in general, life in the 21 century is made up of being sold more than what we need, excess, becoming greedy, consumers instead of taking the things offered in front of us and using them to make life work. We often find ourselves sick of excess, always having more than we need, much of it cluttering our lives and our houses blocking our path to real living. We live in a society of too much honey (materialism) and need to be careful that we do not eat too much, having more than we really need. Read Phil. 4:4-6.
V. 17 Reminds us to not wear out our welcome. Ben Franklin was quoted as saying that after three days company and dead fish begins to be the same. This verse reminds us that being good neighbors is a good thing, but there is something to be said for respecting your neighbor’s privacy and space. Where one or two visits to our neighbors house in a short time is ok or good, more than this now begins to tax the relationship. We find it strange that now when we approach their house all of a sudden we never find them home or too busy to come to the door. We are reminded to not let it go this far and stay on the ‘happy to see you’ status with our neighbors. Whereas no contact with our neighbors is unacceptable, he reminds us that too many visits may have a similar effect.
V.18 A maul, a sword and an arrow are tools that can do some damage. Here in this verse he calls them instruments of war, meant to inflict wounds, deep wounds, wounds usually intended to produce death. So it is in bearing false witness against your neighbor. Your neighbor is usually someone that you are familiar with, you have a relationship with. With this one there has usually been a trust level established. If an issue were to arise it would be understood that you would most often go to your neighbor directly to discuss the matter or concern. However, it is a blow to learn that your neighbor has made an acquisition against you before coming to talk to you first. Even worse is an acquisition from a relationship that you trusted against you that is false and damaging. It comes as a sucker punch that was totally unexpected. Actually, it is as damaging as being inflicted with a sword or a club of war not even seeing it coming inflicting wounds that often never heal. If it came from your enemy at least you could have prepared for it. This may not seem common to most, but to someone in leadership or of prominence it happens frequently. To a leader it is surprising just how frequent they receive wounds like this from those they would consider friends.
V. 19 There are times in life when you need things that you can depend upon to make it through. You are counting on it. It must work at the exact time as expected or things will crumble or fall apart. At these times you want someone that you can depend upon, not someone that has the reputation of being unreliable. Working with unreliable tools, or people in this case, is painful and problematic. He compares it to a broken tooth, ouch, painful. You can’t depend on a broken tooth for foods that require bite and substance. He also uses the analogy of a sprained foot which is unable to cut the grade when speed and agility is needed. The admonition here is that if you use untrustworthy people do not be surprised with the outcome. It will be a painful process and one that in all likely hood will not succeed.
V. 20 We all like to be encouraging and uplifting when people are having a bad day, but there are times when the Tigger approach is not helpful. As a matter of fact being overly happy and ultra positive in some situations is downright painful to the wounded or injured. There are times when nothing can be said to turn a wounded heart into a heart of joy and that only the balm of empathy can sooth the injured spirit. In times like these words are often not helpful and just being there and being a friend does more than attempts of encouragement. There may come a time when encouragement may be helpful for this person, but for the truly heavy heart songs in an attempt to cheer the heart can be painful.
V. 21-2 If your enemy is hungry what do you do? We all know what it says here in v. 21, but in reality what have we learned to do? Win at all costs?? We can encounter our so called enemy in many different settings and situations. They could be over there so to speak. We may know where they are, but we are not at the moment doing mortal combat with them. However, they could be, presently facing us in battle. It is also possible that you have already overcome your enemy and they are in your custody waiting to see what you will do with them. If your enemy is hungry and thirsty they are right where you would want them. If he is hungry and in need of water it is only a matter of time before he is yours ready to give up and surrender to terms that were not theirs.
The Bible in Basic English puts an interesting twist on the translation of this verse. It says, ‘If your hater is in need of food, give him bread; and if he is in need of drink, give him water.’ This translation gives the impression that the enemy that you encounter is an enemy of their choice, not yours. This means that if you had your choice they would not be your enemy at all. Appling this perspective, any action taken against this so called enemy would be more for protection and the protection of others, or maybe even… for their benefit. He is not saying that we should be foolish or naïve as to the potential capabilities of an enemy and what harm they can do if given a chance or opportunity. But, he is making the point here that kindness is a powerful force and that all people are God’s creation and need to be treated with respect even if they do not respect themselves.
The Golden Rule is treating others as we would treat ourselves. Sometimes that is not an option because an enemy will not allow it. But, an enemy’s attitude and action should not affect our heart’s desire. There are times when you must do what you must do even though it is not what you would like to see happen. There are two examples from the Bible that come to mind when looking at these verses, examples that we should remember when dealing with our enemies. One is how David treated his enemy Saul when he, David, had to opportunity to claim victory over his enemy. David was in Saul’s camp and even in his tent and had the ability to proclaim victory over Saul having the easy opportunity to take his life. But, David chose instead to spare Saul’s life and make his intentions clear that he would much rather make peace with Saul. He let Saul live and made him an offer. The ball was now in Saul’s court. He too had a chance to choose peace. The second example takes this verse a step further when Christ who willingly chose to not retaliate against His enemies when persecuted. Both examples here chose not to exercise an option that was clearly theirs, choosing instead to heap coals of fire upon their enemy’s head by showing kindness instead of retaliation.
V. 23 When looking at the meaning of this verse it may be difficult to come up with a concise uniform interpretation. A number of translations translate this verse with a slightly different twist, having somewhat different interpretations. In reviewing several commentaries on this verse I also found the same, although most shared the view that this verse could be applied several different ways to life situations. The interpretation that seems to make the most sense is the view that like a stiff north wind that drives away the rain so does a stern unappreciative look drive away the rain of sharing gossip when someone attempts to share it with us. A stern look takes the rain right out of the cloud of gossip causing the bearer of the tail to stop their tail of rain and woe that in the end if not stopped would cause anger and contention. One commentator made the point that if we were to apply a stern look of disappointment when someone begins to share gossip that much of gossip would not happen. We all are tempted to want to hear a secret or something juicy. Our being willing to first hear it all too often encourages the gossiper to share and continue to share their poison.
V. 24 There is nothing more pleasant and pleasurable than harmony in having a good family environment following the Biblical example and instruction. However, the opposite is also true. When spouses are contentious with each other there is no house big enough to house them. How do you relate to or deal with a contentious spouse. I do not care how many rooms you have in a house a contentious spouse will seem to permeate every room. Another addition will not help. Your only hope for peace is to find a corner of a housetop where it is too much trouble to find or get too. This verse however is not meant to give you advice on how to survive a contentious marriage. It is more a warning to avoid such a situation and make good choices before this becomes your lot in life. In Prov. 27:15 it says that a contentious spouse is like a continual drip. The annoyance and frustration never stops. He encourages us to think ahead being sure not to make this mistake.
V. 25 It has been said that ‘no news is indeed good news’. So it is with news from far away. News received from far away is usually not good. When getting news from far away your first thought is that it must be bad news. However, when you find out that the news is indeed good your anxious anticipation quickly turns to ‘joy’ refreshing the soul. Good news from far away or someone that you have not heard from in years is truly like a cold drink on a hot day, refreshing to the soul, making your day.
V. 26 reminds us to stand our ground and not yield or end up giving homage to evil doers. It is one thing to be set back temporarily by evil or an evil system having to step aside and regroup. But, it is not appropriate to give in and reluctantly join their forces bowing down to them and their plans. The troubled fountain or corrupt spring referred to here has the meaning of a water source that has become tainted with mud or other undesirables polluting the water source. A righteous person promoting a righteous cause becomes polluted by joining forces with evil causing confusion, mudding the waters so to speak, making the entire precept undesirable and eventually worthless or damaging. We gain nothing by joining wrong plans or endeavors. No matter how much good you pour into an evil agenda the end result is still polluted and of little to no use.
V. 27 Honey is not bad, it is good. It is good… unless you overindulge. It is not a bad thing to be confident of your abilities, but if you go down the road of self confidence too far there is a line you cross over tipping the scale to pride becoming as they might say sick. It is not good to blow your own horn, but to offer help letting someone know that you can help them is like a little honey.
V. 28 This is where many of us go wrong and loose out in life. We are all born with and endowed with gifts and talents and abilities. So often we work hard and put much effort in attempting to apply our natural abilities for our benefit as well as the benefit of others. However, so often we find that very talented people are undisciplined or weak willed having other habits and practices that rob or dramatically reduce the benefits or outcome of their effort. Solomon would say that if we are not able to control our self, our temper, our passions, our attitudes and habits, we will like a city without walls having no protection from outside forces of life that do us and those we love harm. As much as we do not like to put the effort into having and keeping a disciplined life doing so keeps us and the ones we love safe from evil influences and forces in life meant to do us harm.
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