It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for 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
8 do not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another's secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 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.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
28 A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25 ESV
Proverbs 25, sayings of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah recorded.
It is the glory of God to conceal things - There is more than meets the eye, and what the eye beholds brings wonder, awe, and much to be explained. We hold things true in doctrine, that God has revealed to us in Scripture, like one Being, yet 3 persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I live in time and space, but believe in eternity, but I cannot draw such a picture.
…11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. 12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.… 1 Corinthians 13: 11-13
But the glory of kings is to search things out - Solomon was a scholar, and when granted a request, he asked for wisdom. There was no doubt of God as Creator for this academic, and this would be an advantage to anyone who would do true science. If the world is known to be created by wisdom, then it should bear the earmarks of design, which science would profit from in the development of technology. And it does, because there is order, cause and effect. If only Darwin and others would have accepted what the Bible says on Race, which is that we all come from Adam and Eve. Their are no races really as in the sense of classical evolution. We are one, the human race. I am hypomelanistic, and my black brothers and sisters are hypermelanistic, all coming from the same parentage of Adam and Eve, all fallen in Adam, sinners, in need of Christ. Science has now come to terms with this, that genetics show what God already said, a common parent for all.
In all their searching, the scientist should still keep this humble remembrance: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. “What I see amazes me, but God has concealed even greater treasures of knowledge and wisdom in His creation (Romans 1:19-20). I must not arrogantly think that I can figure it all out.” As G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “That is the principle of all the triumphs of scientific investigations; and it is the deepest secret of all advance in spiritual strength.” - Enduring Word
In the beginning (Time), God (Force), Created (Action), the Heavens (Space), and the Earth (Matter).
Take away the wicked from the presence of the king - There is wisdom in taking counsel, but keeping bad counselors is the ruin of nations. People always want the ear of the king, but their motives can be very self serving, and it is unfortunate to watch those in power hold on to those who stroke their egos.
Do not hastily bring into court - Try to settle with your neighbor peacefully.
“After squandering your money away upon lawyers, both they and the judge will at last leave it to be settled by twelve of your fellow citizens! O the folly of going to law! O the blindness of men, and the rapacity of unprincipled lawyers!” (Clarke)
57 And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”… Luke 12: 57-59
A word fitly spoken - I like to take my kids into nature, the woods, water, looking under rocks, herping, fishing, exploring. The first thing I taught them is, "STOP", and I tested them on this, so they understood. If there was a moccasin or rattler they didn't see, a pit they may fall into, some danger ahead, then I wasn't shouting just to hear myself say, "STOP". It was a word in due time, appropriate to the situation. It was vital that they knew to do accordingly for their own well being. Sometimes fitly is not a loud rebuke, but a properly composed, respectful, discrete, warning.
With patience a ruler may be persuaded - If you come in demanding, screaming, dramatizing, though some of what you say may be right, no one should have to decide immediately. You will not gain acceptance by arrogance and impatience, only resistance, and you risk losing any good that could possibly come of your argument. We can be not only our, but also our causes worse enemy by our approach.
Lest you have your fill of it and vomit it - Take only what you need, leave some for the bees and others that may find it. Eating as if you will never get the chance again, gluttony, only leads to sickness.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house - Don't wear out your welcome. Don't abuse hospitality or charity.
Is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips - He will cause you more pain; he is not their to help carry your burden, just as the one who bears false witness does not have justice or peace in mind.
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart - Sometimes it is better to listen, which is difficult for me, for I always had the poor taste of thinking everything needed humor.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.… Romans 12: 14-16
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain - Oh the shame of it. We pronounce Christ in one moment but then become traitors for the sake of the mob. It is difficult to stand firm, easy to not deny in deed what we have sworn by oath, but for the glory of God we can confess, repent and grow. Our honor is found in Christ glory, that my feet have not slipped every time or all the way, is solely to His praise. May God make me slow to speak, quick to hear, and forever listening for His voice.
i. “What a blemish was it for Abraham to fall under the reproof of Abimelech! for Samson to be taken by the Philistines in a whorehouse! for Josiah to be minded of his duty by Pharaoh Necho! for Peter to be drawn by a silly wench to deny his master!” (Trapp)
A man without self control - He is self defeated.
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