Sept. 25, 2011

Background Scripture: Proverbs 25:1-10

 Devotional Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-14

It may seem Proverbs is simply a collection of omnibus wise sayings. But there is a plan and purpose to this book that is not readily evident. The theme is instruction on how to rightly and ethically use the power of speech.

Chapters 1-9 help us distinguish reliable from unreliable speakers. Chapters 10-15 lead us to respond positively to the wise and negatively to unrighteous fools. Chapters 25-27 assist us to determine what is proper language in different times and places.

Chapters  28-29 emphasize the integrity of the speaker. Chapter 30 focuses on negative uses of speech, and 31 praises both justice and a valiant woman. Chapter 25 begins with a historical note: “These are the proverbs of Solomon that the officials of Hezekiah of Judah copied” (25:1).

Hezekiah was the 13th king of the Hebrew kingdom of Judah and appears to be one of the best of them. He was obviously an admirer of Solomon’s proverbs and sought to have his scribes perpetuate this rich legacy of wisdom. He understood that wisdom is more important than physical power.

Stupidity’s altar

It is 2,726 years since Hezekiah became king of Israel, and I doubt most rulers since then have appreciated wisdom over physical and material power. During World War II, when Allied leaders were assessing the power of the Pope, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin chided Winston Churchill: “How many divisions does the Pope have?”

And how many billions of people have been sacrificed at the altar of proud stupidity?

It is interesting to note that Jesus was familiar with and influenced by the Book of Proverbs. In Chapter 25 there are two proverbs he used. The first is 25:6,7: “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 out lower in the presence of the prince” (see Luke 14:7-11).

The second, 25:21,22: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you” (Matthew 5:44,45 and Romans 12:20).

These are two proverbs that are much quoted, but little practiced. Proverbs often have the ability to say something so important in a few words. For example: “What your eyes have seen do not bring hastily into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame” (25:8-10).

More relationships are marred, more disputes ignited and more words have to be recalled because of speaking hastily without thinking through what we are saying and what will be the effect of our words. We need to make sure our brains are engaged when we open our mouths.

A reprover?

“Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear” (25:12).

“Reprove” is not a term used much today, so I like the New Interpreter’s Study Bible version: “Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.”  To “reprove” or “rebuke” is to tell someone that they are wrong or in error – another reason the term is so infrequently heard today: We don’t like being told we are wrong.

Because all of us – no exclusions – are wrong from time to time (“in error,” if you like), a word of “reproof” or “rebuke” is better than the “egg on our faces” when we are wrong. Being open to correction is very strong evidence of wisdom.

Poet John Masefield says the best advice he ever had came to him when he was in his late teens and had quit his life as a seaman and was working in a carpet factory in Yonkers while trying to learn to write. “Having just read Keats and Shelley for the first time, I was on fire to be a poet, but, as everyone knows who has tried to compose a poem, the new task I had set myself was far more difficult than climbing masts or painting decks. I had almost despaired when I came across this homespun sentiment:”

Sitting still and wishing

Makes no person great.

The good Lord sends the fishing,

But you must dig the bait.

He concludes: “I dug bait for months – and finally caught a publisher who accepted my first poem.” Wisdom tells us that God provides for us when we dig our own bait.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.