Sunday
Morning Bible Study
March
11, 2018
Introduction
Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel
preached? Does it address the person who is: Empty, lonely, guilty, or afraid
to die? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk
– Meat – Manna Preach for a decision Is the church loved? Regular: 2900 words Communion:
2500 words Video=75wpm
The book of Proverbs is all about wisdom.
Wisdom is not about knowing facts.
Wisdom is about knowing what to do with what you know.
Wisdom is knowing when to do it.
Wisdom is knowing how to do it.
We are now in a new section of the
book of Proverbs.
We’ve finished the “mini-lectures”
that Solomon gave to his son in the first nine chapters.
The rest of the book are what we
typically call the “proverbs”.
Proverbs are sayings, typically short, that give wisdom and insight into
everyday things.
They are intended to help you lead a better life.
They are not absolute promises, as in “if you do x,y,
then z will always happen and your life will be perfect”.
They are general principles – that if you do them your life will be
generally better than if you didn’t do them.
I want to encourage you to have a
pencil or pen ready as we work through each chapter.
Though we will read the entire
chapter, I won’t be taking time to unpack every single proverb.
God may want to use one of the
proverbs that we simply pass over to speak to you, so be ready to mark up your
Bible or write down a verse.
It’s going to be a little like
drinking from a fire hydrant.
The Proverbs are Hebrew poetry…
Hebrew poetry is about ideas, not
sounds.
Most of these proverbs are in two
lines.
Sometimes the second line is a
parallel of the first. It expresses the same idea with different words.
Sometimes the second line is an
opposite idea, still clarifying the first, but by way of contrast.
Be careful that you don’t look at
one phrase without looking at the other.
Proverbs 25
:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king
of Judah copied:
:1 the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied
We are now starting another new section that runs from Proverbs 25-29.
Whereas the previous section (Prov.
22:17-34) was made up of wise sayings that Solomon had collected, this section now goes back to proverbs that Solomon wrote, like those of Prov. 10-22.
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs (1Ki. 4:32) in his lifetime, but only 375 of
them were written down in Prov. 10-22.
(1 Kings 4:32 NKJV) He spoke
three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five.
The royal scribes of Hezekiah would
have a lot to draw from for chapters 25-29.
Hezekiah lived about 250 years after Solomon.
His scholars will pull about 100 of Solomon’s proverbs together.
Some of these will be new to us, some of them are repeats
of things from the earlier chapters.
:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of
kings is to search out a matter.
:1 It is the glory of God
to conceal
(Prov 25:2 ICB) God is honored for what he
keeps secret. Kings are honored for what they can discover.
God has not chosen to reveal all of
Himself or His plans.
Kings need to investigate matters
fully before making decisions.
:3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart
of kings is unsearchable.
(Proverbs 25:3 NLT)
No
one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that
goes on in the king’s mind!
:4 Take away the dross from silver, And it will go
to the silversmith for jewelry.
:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, And
his throne will be established in righteousness.
:4 Take away the dross from silver
The process of refining removes the impurity from the raw ore until it
becomes something beautiful.
If true refining were to go on in government so that when those who are
wicked are removed, then that government will be “established” or strengthened
in righteousness.
Lesson
Refining makes it better
Is anyone wearing a ring or piece
of jewelry that is made of gold or silver?
Did you know that the metal in your
jewelry didn’t come out of the ground looking like it does now?
The process of refining removes the
impurity from the raw ore until it becomes something beautiful.
Solomon applies that same principle
to government.
If true refining were to go on in
government so that those who are wicked are removed, then that government will
be “established” or strengthened in righteousness.
The same principle applies to our
lives as well.
God wants to refine us and remove
wickedness in our lives.
The problem is that refining
requires fire. It requires difficult times.
(1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT) —6 So be
truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many
trials for a little while. 7 These
trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests
and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it
will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is
revealed to the whole world.
:6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And
do not stand in the place of the great;
:7 For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the
prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
:6 Do not exalt yourself
Lesson
Take last place
In ancient days, it was a common thing for people to be invited over to
someone’s house for dinner.
If a number of guests were invited, there would
usually be some kind of pecking order to where people got seated.
The more important person you were, the closer you’d be to the host.
In Luke 14, Jesus had been invited to a dinner at the house of one of the
rulers of the Pharisees. Jesus used that dinner as an opportunity to teach.
It’s interesting to read through
the chapter and see how Jesus used this one dinner invite to teach and address
so many different issues.
One of the issues
Jesus dealt with at the dinner was that of pride.
(Luke 14:7–11 NLT)
—7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying
to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this
advice: 8 “When you
are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone
who is more distinguished than you has also been
invited? 9 The host
will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed,
and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 “Instead,
take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you,
he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will
be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will
be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
It’s much better to just assume that you should be in the lowest spot, than
to think you deserve a higher spot and then be rebuked for assuming too much.
:8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?
:9 Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not
disclose the secret to another;
:10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And
your reputation be ruined.
:8 Do not go hastily to court
Some translations connect the last
half of verse 7 with verse 8 –
(Proverbs 25:7b–8 NLT) —7 …Just
because you’ve seen something, 8 don’t be
in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor
deals you a shameful defeat?
Sometimes we make the mistake of misjudging things because we haven’t taken
the time to really understand what is going on.
We can take our misunderstandings too far, even taking someone to court
over it.
Things aren’t always what they seem.
:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In
settings of silver.
(Proverbs 25:11
NLT) Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a
wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
(Proverbs 25:12 NLT) To one who
listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
:12 Like an earring of gold
Ears are made for hearing. What makes an ear look really
good is not just a nice piece of jewelry, but when a person pays
attention to wise advice or healthy criticism.
:13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger
to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of
his masters.
(Proverbs 25:13 The
Message) Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering
heat—refreshing!
:13 a faithful messenger to
those who send him
faithful – ‘aman
– to support, confirm, be faithful
messenger – tsiyr
– envoy, messenger
A faithful messenger is someone who
has been given a message to deliver, and they actually
deliver the message.
Lesson
Reliable is refreshing
“Harvest” was done in the late
summer, when it was hot.
(Proverbs 25:13 NLT) Trustworthy
messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their
employer.
So how reliable are you to those
around you?
Sometimes we make a mistake of
saying we’ll do something when we have no intention of doing it. We just want
to get that person off our back.
We’d be better off risking them
being a little mad at us and saying “no”, than gaining
a reputation for not being reliable.
:14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without
rain.
(Proverbs 25:14 The Message) Like
billowing clouds that bring no rain is the
person who talks big but never produces.
Again, a lesson about being
reliable, keeping your word.
:15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And
a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
:15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded
forbearance – ‘aph
– nostril, nose, face; anger
long – ‘orek
– length; forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)
Lesson
Patience Persuades
“Long forbearance” is another way of saying “patient” or “slow to anger”.
The Hebrew here expresses the idea
of being “slow to anger”.
The Hebrew is
literally, “long nose”, but it’s the nose where anger is expressed.
It’s the same phrase that’s used to describe God:
(Exodus
34:6 NLT) The Lord passed in
front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing
love and faithfulness.
People can be influenced by your patience.
(Proverbs 25:15
NLT) Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
(Proverbs 25:15 HCSB) A ruler
can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Sometimes we respond to conflict by
getting angry at the other person, and that usually doesn’t end well.
(Proverbs 15:1 NKJV) A soft
answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
I think an example of this is found in the book of Esther.
Esther was the Jewish queen of the Persian Empire. When she found out about
wicked Haman’s evil plans to wipe out the Jews, Esther didn’t rush to her
husband to fix things. She prayerfully set up a series of dinners with her
husband and the emperor, and Haman.
She took her time before explaining the problem to her
husband.
Getting angry with people and using harsh words doesn’t resolve conflicts.
This is not an absolute promise, but a general principle – you will handle
conflict better with people if you show them patience.
:16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest
you be filled with it and vomit.
We’ll talk more about honey in vs. 27.
:17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest
he become weary of you and hate you.
(Proverbs 25:17
NLT) Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your
welcome.
(Proverbs 25:17 The Message) And when
you find a friend, don’t outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he’ll soon get fed up.
Some people are very kind and
gracious to invite us into their homes.
Yet if you stay at their house too
long, they might grow to resent it, though they may never tell you.
The same might apply to phone
conversations or conversations at church.
Don’t overstay your welcome.
:18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a
club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
(Proverbs 25:18
NLT) Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like
a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
(Proverbs 25:19
NLT) Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is
like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
Be the person that others can count on.
:20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who
sings songs to a heavy heart.
(Proverbs 25:20
NLT) Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like
taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.
Some of us are uncomfortable when another person is hurting or grieving.
We want to fix them.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a person with a heavy heart is to
just sit with them and listen to them.
(Romans 12:15 NLT) Be happy with
those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty,
give him water to drink;
:22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
:21 If your enemy is hungry
(Proverbs 25:21–22
NLT) —21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are
thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
Lesson
Kill ‘em with kindness
Sometimes we’re ready to kill our enemies, but it’s not with kindness.
Paul takes these verses and addresses the issue of revenge.
(Romans 12:19–21
NKJV) —19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to
wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says
the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your
enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so
doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Think about the person you might dare call your “enemy”.
Would you even be aware of what they are hungry or thirsty for?
Are you aware of what their real needs are?
:23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry
countenance.
(Proverbs 25:23 The Message) A north
wind brings stormy weather, and a
gossipy tongue stormy looks.
:24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Solomon has dealt with this topic before (19:13; 21:9; 21:19). In fact,
Proverbs 21:9 is exactly like this
verse.
(Proverbs 19:13 NKJV) A foolish
son is the ruin of his father, And the
contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
(Proverbs 21:9 NKJV) Better to
dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious
woman.
(Proverbs 21:19 NKJV) Better to
dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
:25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is
good news from a far country.
:25 good news from a far country
(Proverbs 25:25 The Message) Like a
cool drink of water when you’re worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.
Lesson
Good News
Illustration
I don’t like bad news. I like good news.
One
of the things about being a pastor is that 90% of the phone calls and
conversations I have with people is about “bad news”.
It
might be about some trouble the person is in.
It might be about an illness a
person is suffering with.
It might be concern about a friend
who is having trouble.
I really like it when someone
shares good news with me. It’s truly refreshing.
Did you know that the word “gospel” means “good news”?
As believers we ought to be sharing the “gospel” with those around us, but
frankly some of our ideas about what this means isn’t exactly like sharing
“good news”.
Some folks equate sharing the gospel only with reminding
people they are going to hell because of their sin.
But that’s not the “good news”.
The good news is that God wants to rescue us from hell.
The good news is that God wants us to be with Him in
heaven.
The good news is that God wants to help us now with how we
live our lives on earth.
And the good news that we have to share is
certainly from a “distant land”, it’s from heaven.
Jesus came from heaven and took on human flesh so He could identify with us, and ultimately die to
pay for our sins.
Did you know that if you give your life to Jesus, that you can be saved?
(John 3:16 NLT) “For this is
how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
That’s good news from a distant land.
:26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a
murky spring and a polluted well.
(Proverbs 25:26 NLT) If the
godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a
spring.
:27 It is not good to eat much honey; So to
seek one’s own glory is not glory.
:27 It is not good to eat much honey
Lesson
Too Much
Last week we read:
(Proverbs 24:13–14
NKJV) —13 My son, eat honey because it is good, And the
honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; 14 So shall the knowledge of
wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope
will not be cut off.
I said last week that we should learn to enjoy the good
healthy things in life. In enjoying the good things, we will learn to
appreciate just how good wisdom is.
Yet this week Solomon gives us a few things to balance the honey lessons.
In verse 16,
(Proverbs 25:16
NLT) Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
If all you do is fill your life with pleasures and “good
things”, you’ll get sick of it.
And if you don’t get sick, it might at least make you a
bit fat…
Video: Winnie the Pooh 1977 – Too
much honey
Now Solomon puts a little twist to the “honey” and compares it to “glory”
or receiving a bit too much “honor”.
(Proverbs 25:27
NLT) It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek
honors for yourself.
It’s a sweet thing to be appreciated and honored, but if we’re
not careful, we can learn to like it a bit too much.
It might even make us sick.
:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city
broken down, without walls.
:28 no rule over his own spirit
Lesson
Self-control
Today the concept of “walls” has become a political hot potato.
In ancient days, the “walls” of a city were what kept it protected from
attack.
A city without walls could be attacked an enemy any time they wanted to.
When we lack self-control, we are vulnerable to the enemy’s attack.
Self-control is an aspect of the “fruit” of the Spirit – it’s one of the
things that the Holy Spirit does in our life when we live yielded to Him (Gal.
5:22).
I need to be careful though that I don’t blame my lack of self-control on
the Holy Spirit. He may want to produce self-control in me, but I must respond
and cultivate it.
Just do it.
Paul wrote,
(1
Corinthians 9:24–27 NLT) —24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs,
but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes
are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade
away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline
my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear
that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
An element of self-control is self-discipline.
You just do it. Listen to this
advice from a world class counsellor.
Video: Bob Newhart – Stop It
Forgive me for oversimplifying what may be
complicated. But sometimes I wonder if
we don’t make some things more complicated than they should be.
I have a friend who may have had a stroke, and the doctor
told him he needed to quit smoking. And
after smoking for 54 years, he quit in a day.
Maybe you feel you don’t have enough self-control.
Then learn to start small.
Video: Make Your Bed
You may not conquer all your problems at once, but little by little grow in
self-control.