Slices
Prepare
Give thanks that the Father sends the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth (John 16:13–15).
Bible passage
More proverbs of Solomon
25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here,’
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8 do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbour puts you to shame?
9 If you take your neighbour to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough –
too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbour’s house –
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbour.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue – which provokes a horrified look.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honourable to search out matters that are too deep.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
Explore
Thanks to skilful PR, the British royal family has never seemed so available to their subjects as now. Their hearts certainly don’t seem ‘unsearchable’ to us (v 3)! The kings of Israel, especially Solomon (v 1), ruled with such absolute power as God’s authority on earth, that they seemed to exist on a higher plane. Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom (1 Kings 3:7–14) caused such delight in heaven that he received wealth and honour too, and Israel prospered. What qualities would servants of such an exceptional leader need for wisdom to become the backbone of his kingdom (vs 11–13,15; contrast vs 5,14,23,28)?
For Christians, King Jesus honours us by saying ‘Come up here’ (v 7), raising us up to share his royal throne. So we now have the royal prerogative to search out the glorious secrets of God (v 2). We hold the ‘keys of the kingdom’ that open the door to establishing heaven’s freedom, restoration and purpose to prosper our world and that lock Satan out (Matthew 16:19). But we don’t do it alone, we have the Spirit of truth, who is ‘power from on high’, to enforce the authority we’ve been granted.
Respond
Knowing you have God’s authority over all things (eg culture, community, business, government), how will you use it? When he visits coffee shops a friend of mine puts a sign on his table offering ‘Free prayer’. We don’t know what might come of doing ‘small things with great love’ (Mother Teresa).
Deeper Bible study
‘Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.’1
Verses 11–15 address the issue of proper speech. The metaphors of jewellery (vs 11,12) and weather (vs 13,14) are employed to depict loving words and careless speech. Wise people know how a word is spoken aptly at the right time, just as a jeweller sets a gold apple in a silver setting, which shows it off to the best effect (v 11). A word of reproof or correction is of no value unless it finds a receptive listener, to whom the rebuke is like a beautiful piece of jewellery (v 12).
The mixture of snow into spring water is offered as refreshment during the harvest. A reliable messenger is compared with the soothing cold drink on a scorching hot day – he refreshes the spirit of his master (v 13). The one who boasts of gifts, but never delivers, is like clouds and wind without rain. The sages warn against making an empty promise, which brings frustration and disappointment (v 14). These two verses contrast the difference between speaking faithfully and falsely. The patience and gentleness of a person is conducive to the power of persuasive speaking (v 15). Patience is literally ‘long of nose’ in Hebrew, which means ‘slow to anger’. The soft tongue that breaks a bone speaks gently and persuasively.
The passage above brings out how the persuasiveness of speech is determined by the attitude and personality of both the speaker and the listener – the loving discernment of timing (v 11), the humble reception of rebuke (v 12) and the personal reliability (vs 13,14) and self-control (v 15) of the speaker. Our attitudes will undoubtedly speak for the credibility of our words. May the Holy Spirit guard and examine our hearts. May he help and shape us to be men and women of our words.
‘My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.’2
1 Ps 63:3 2 James 1:19
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Obadiah; Psalms 142,143
Pray for Scripture Union
Jenni Whymark, development worker in the south east region, will be running Crafternoon with Surbiton Hill Methodist Church. This is an opportunity for primary children to make Christmas-related things and hear the Christmas message. Pray for a good number to come and that they will be responsive.
