Lessons from Proverbs - Lesson 124 - “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel” Proverbs 1:1 “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.” Proverbs 25:1 Chapter 25 is also Proverbs written by Solomon that the men of king Hezekiah, transcribed and made available. Solomon said, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 The word “fitly” means “suitable”, according to the 1611 King James Dictionary. The word “suitable” means “having the qualities that are right, needed, or appropriate for something”, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary. A word “having the qualities that are right”, according to the “Law of the LORD”, are like the precious fruit of “apples of gold” framed “in pictures of silver.” Right words spoken come from the “Law of the LORD” and are rich and life giving, pictured by the analogy of “apples of gold” and “pictures of silver”. Solomon used the precious physical commodities of gold and silver to put forth the truth of speaking rightly. Speaking rightly comes from “rightly dividing the word of truth.” Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “ As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 The word “oracles” means “ ‘a word, narrative, statement,’ denotes ‘a divine response or utterance, an oracle’, it is used of (a) the contents of the Mosaic Law, Acts 7:38; (b) all the written utterances of God through OT writers, Rom. 3:2; (c) the substance of Christian doctrine, Heb. 5:12; (d) the utterances of God through Christian teachers, 1 Pet. 4:11. Vine’s Complete Expository of Old and New Testament. Speaking the “substance of Christian doctrine” is “rightly dividing the word of truth. “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, gave us the right way to approach the “oracles of God”, Old Testament or New Testament, and that is by studying to show ourselves approved of God, so that we need not be ashamed as we rightly divide the word of truth. The word “divide”literally means “to cut straight, ... is found in 2 Tim. 2:15, kjv, ‘rightly dividing,’ rv ‘handling aright’ (the word of truth); the meaning passed from the idea of cutting or ‘dividing,’ to the more general sense of ‘rightly dealing with a thing.’ What is intended here is not dividing Scripture from Scripture, but teaching Scripture accurately.” Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Speaking rightly also comes from “thinking rightly”. Paul said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 All of the “right things” are the commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ. Coupling together, reading, studying, and thinking on the right things, will bring an abundance of blessings from God the Father through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Therefore let us study the “oracles” of God, think on them, and live them. “6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 Solomon also taught, in this lesson, the following; do not go forth hastily “to struggle in opposition” with your neighbor, not knowing what to do in the end of your “opposition“ with your neighbor and he puts you to shame; “disputing” your cause by “arguments” with your neighbor, do not give the secret of your “debate” to another: lest he that hears your secret puts you to shame and your “loss of reputation” does not go away; like gold is “reproved” through refining, having taken away the dross, i.e., the impurities, i.e., the faults, that makes it pure, so is a wise person who “charges a fault” “to an obedient ear”; the “cold of snow” and “a faithful messenger” have this in common, both are refreshing; and he who boasts a false gift to himself is like clouds and wind without rain, deceitful. Let us read our text, Proverbs 25:8-14, and then comment on it in more detail. Proverbs 25:8-14 “8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” In verse 8, Solomon said, “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.” The word “strive” means “2. To contend; to contest; to struggle in opposition to another; to be in contention or dispute”, according to the 1611 King James Dictionary. The word “hastily” comes from “haste” which means “1. Celerity of motion; speed; swiftness; dispatch; expedition; applied only to voluntary beings, as men and other animals; never to other bodies. We never say, a ball flies with haste.” 1611 King James Dictionary Therefore, one moves “hastily with “haste; with speed or quickness; speedily; nimbly.” 1611 King James Dictionary Solomon said, do not go forth with “speed”, or “swiftness”, to “contend”, to contest”, “to struggle in opposition”, with your neighbor, lest you do not know what to do in the end of the matter, when your neighbor puts you to shame. Arguments with neighbors can start over misunderstandings. It is better to research what you believe your neighbor has done to you and talk it over with him, instead of assuming he is at fault and rush “speedily” and headlong into fault finding to your shame. In verses 9-10, Solomon said, “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.” The word “debate” means, “That may be debated; disputable; subject to controversy or contention; as a debatable question.” 1611 King James Dictionary The word “infamy” means “1. Total loss of reputation; public disgrace. 2. Qualities which are detested and despised; qualities notoriously bad and scandalous; as the infamy of an action.” 1611 King James Dictionary The word “discover” means “. To lay open to the view; to disclose; to show; to make visible; to expose to view something before unseen or concealed.” 1611 King James Dictionary Solomon said it is better to “discuss” the dispute” of your cause with your neighbor; and not “disclose” to “open view” the nature of your cause to another: “Lest he that” hears it puts you to shame. Matters of disputes between neighbors should be kept between neighbors and solutions to the disputes worked out. To get someone else involved by hearsay can widen the problem and make matters worse. In verse 11, Solomon said, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Speaking the truth in love and abiding by the “Law of the LORD”, in Solomon’s day, and speaking the truth in love and abiding by the commandments of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in our day, is like “apples of gold, in pictures of silver.” Paul said, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 In verse 12, Solomon said, “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” The word “reprover” means one who “blames” someone else, or “To charge with a fault to the face; to chide; to reprehend”. 1611 King James Dictionary Solomon gave the analogy of “an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold” that would have been “reproved” by refining, getting rid of the “dross i.e., impurities, i.e., the “faults”, making the “earing of gold”, and the “ornament of gold” pure, is like a wise person who “reproves”, i.e., “charges a fault”, “to an obedient ear.” By way of application, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which” were scattered abroad, in James day, said to them, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20 In verses 13, Solomon said, “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” Solomon said the “cold of snow in the time of harvest” and “a faithful messenger” have this in common, both are refreshing. The “cold of the snow” is refreshing because it represents that the “harvest” of crops were in and that is always refreshing to have the crops in when the “cold of snow comes”. Likewise, so is having a faithful messenger that can be relied on to deliver the message accurately to those to whom the message was intended for, it refreshes “the soul of his masters.” In verse 14, Solomon said, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” The word “boasteth” means “1. To brag,or vaunt ones self; to make an ostentatious display, in speech, of ones own worth, property, or actions.” 1611 King James Dictionary Solomon said, whosoever “brags or vaunt’s” himself over a “false gift”, i.e., a gift he did not receive, but wants others to think he received a gift, “is like clouds and wind without rain”, deceitful. What have we learned from Solomon? 1. (8) “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.” Solomon said, do not go forth with “speed”, or “swiftness”, to “contend”, to contest”, “to struggle in opposition”, with your neighbor, lest you do not know what to do in the end of the matter, when your neighbor puts you to shame. Arguments with neighbors can start over misunderstandings. It is better to research what you believe your neighbor has done to you and talk it over with him, instead of assuming he is at fault and rush “speedily” and headlong into fault finding to your shame. 2. (9-10) “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.” Solomon said it is better to “discuss” the dispute” of your cause with your neighbor; and not “disclose” to “open view” the nature of your cause to another: “Lest he that” hears it puts you to shame. Matters of disputes between neighbors should be kept between neighbors and solutions to the disputes worked out. To get someone else involved by hearsay can widen the problem and make matters worse. 3. (11) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Speaking the truth in love and abiding by the “Law of the LORD”, in Solomon’s day, and speaking the truth in love and abiding by the commandments of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in our day, is like “apples of gold, in pictures of silver.” Paul said, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 4. (12) As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” Solomon gave the analogy of “an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold” that would have been “reproved” by refining, getting rid of the “dross i.e., impurities, i.e., the “faults”, making the “earing of gold”, and the “ornament of gold” pure, is like a wise person who “reproves”, i.e., “charges a fault”, “to an obedient ear.” By way of application, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which” were scattered abroad, in James day, said to them, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20 5. (13) “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” Solomon said the “cold of snow in the time of harvest” and “a faithful messenger” have this in common, both are refreshing. The “cold of the snow” is refreshing because it represents that the “harvest” of crops were in and that is always refreshing to have the crops in when the “cold of snow comes”. Likewise, so is having a faithful messenger that can be relied on to deliver the message accurately to those to whom the message was intended for, it refreshes “the soul of his masters.” 6. (14) In verse 14, Solomon said, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” The word “boasteth” means “1. To brag,or vaunt ones self; to make an ostentatious display, in speech, of ones own worth, property, or actions.” 1611 King James Dictionary Solomon said, whosoever “brags or vaunt’s” himself over a “false gift”, i.e., a gift he did not receive, but wants others to think he received a gift, “is like clouds and wind without rain”, deceitful. In conclusion, Solomon said, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” Proverbs 25:14 It is a very serious thing to brag about something to others, knowing that what is being said is not true, it is a falsehood. It is designed to make the braggart feel puffed up over his lie. The braggart is indeed as Solomon described him, he is like “clouds and wind without rain.” “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,” wrote to those who were “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called,” and told them that he started out to write to them concerning the “common salvation” that they shared in Jesus Christ. But instead, he wrote to them concerning evil, corrupt men who crept into the Church with false doctrines. Jude, like Solomon, used the analogy of “clouds that did not give water, Solomon used “clouds and wind without rain”, and Jude used, “clouds they are without water”. Both give the same illusion of rain, but are false indicators. Falsehood, lies, deceit, false doctrines, are all in the same “clouds and wind without rain”, and “clouds they are without water” scenario. Let us read what James told them that were “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called”, in Jude 1:3-4. Jude 1:3-4 “3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” These evil men Jude described as “clouds they are without water”, is found in Jude 1:10-13 “10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” These evil, corrupt men, who crept in, were compared to have “gone in the way of Cain,” who killed his brother Abel because the LORD accepted Abel’s sacrifice and He did not accept his sacrifice. Genesis 4:4-8 And these evil, corrupt men who crept in, were like Balaam, “who ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward”. Balaam was a prophet that “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab,” wanted him to curse Israel so he could defeat Israel in battle, Numbers 22:10, through 24:25. The LORD did not permit Balaam to curse Israel, but rather the LORD had Balaam curse Balak’s army and bless Israel. Balaam did not get the reward he wanted that he was promised by Balak king of Moab. Numbers 22:1-6 These evil, corrupt men that crept in, that Jude wrote about were like the “gainsaying of Core.” The word “gainsaying” means “contradiction”, according to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. The “contradiction” of “Core”, i.e. Korah”, was rebellion against the LORD, Moses and Aaron, Numbers 16:1-35 and for their rebellion, “there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” Numbers 16:35 James said, concerning these evil, corrupt men that crept in, “12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” Jude 1:12-13 Jude said further, concerning these evil, corrupt men that crept in, in Jude 1:14-19. “14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having mens persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” This Epistle of Jude that started out as a letter of the “common salvation” was turned into a letter of warning “those who were “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called,” that there were evil men that crept in unnoticed and were “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:4 Jude concluded on these positive points, in Jude 1:20-25. “20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude needs to be read over and over again, all twenty-five verses, because “certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” And this is going on today, make no mistake about it. That is why it is so critical, to, ”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 The way to not be taken in by evil, corrupt men who creep into the Church is to know The Bible, Old Testament and New Testament. A “workman” will recognize false teaching. Let us always be on our guard and and always be ready to give the reason for the hope that lies within us. Peter said, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:14-16 And now this benediction from “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother to James”: “24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 References: King James Version Bible Gateway - Thank you for public access to Bible verses. By Public Domain 1611 King James Dictionary - Thank you for the definitions of “hastily, “strive, “debate, “discover, “infamy, “fitly, “reprover, and “boasteth. Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Thank you for the definition of “suitable”. Vine’s Complete Expository of Old and New Testament Words - Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers - Copyright 1985 - Thank you for the definitions of the Biblical Greek words for “oracles”, “dividing”, and “gainsaying”. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament - Hendrickson Publishers Inc. - Tenth Printing - February 2012 - Printed in the United States of America - Thank you for the definition of the Biblical Greek word for “gainsaying”.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 22:43:17 +0000
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