June 25, 2012 Proverbs 25
Memory Verse: 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”
Skipping ahead in time we see what God has done through Jesus. 200 years after Solomon died; Hezekiah did two significant things we need to know about:
1) He had the brazen serpent of Moses destroyed ending any Moses worship, and
2) He oversaw the publication of Solomon’s spoken proverbs
This helped lay the groundwork or foundation for Jesus’ coming 600 years later. The title of Proverbs 25 could be “The Right Word at the Right Time” and since Jesus is called the Word, believers can gain insights here.
1) God keeps His plans hidden until His time, men are guided to find the truths
2) A leader’s understanding must be broad and complete
3) Removing impurities from anything prepares it for its best use
4) Don’t promote yourself; let others recognize and call on you
5) Jumping to conclusions can easily mislead one
6) Be careful what is said in the hear of argument
7) Encouragement and correction both lift one up
8) Reliable friends are a delight
9) Patient diligence destroys other’s defenses
10) Don’t be totally absorbed in anyone or anything other than Him
11) Don’t wear out your welcome on friends/family
12) Don’t tell lies on neighbors
13) Don’t trust a two faced person
14) Show compassion to the troubled; don’t deemphasize their paid
15) Feed your enemy; give drink to the thirsty ---generosity wins many over
16) Don’t Gossip; it hurts everyone including yourself
17) Choices about living conditions must be made
18) Cheer up the down and out with visits and letters or calls
19) Weakness breaks down decision making
20) Don’t seek rewards over needs
21) Self-Control dictates feelings/actions in adverse times
Look carefully at Proverbs 25. 600 years before Jesus came to save us from Satan’s hold; Solomon advised us the changes Jesus would make. The self-control dictated in the verses is new, fair and compassionate treatment are revolutionary ideas, choices was unheard of then, and men are finally understanding one real meaning of Christmas. Without Christmas, we would not have forgiveness nor the substitutional death of Christ. We needed the hidden secret discovered for our salvation.
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