Monday 4/25/2022

Well, I missed a few days. I've been pretty busy with school, church, and our little foster daughter (who I watch during the day). It is good be in God's Word today. Let's look at Proverbs Ch. 25. My comments will follow.
​Chapter 25 
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
5 Take away the wicked before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of great men;
7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.8 Do not go out hastily to argue your case;
[b]Otherwise, what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor,
And do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or he who hears it will reproach you,
And the evil report about you will not [e]pass away.11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken in right circumstances.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.
15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,
That you not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow
Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [n]soda,
Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will [q]heap burning coals on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well
Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls 
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

Like most Proverbs, this chapter is full of wisdom and great advice. Let's look at vs.2 and vs.17.
Vs. 2 is confusing to most people, or it was to me anyway, before I took the time to look up what it meant. 
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 
I never really understood what this meant "the glory of God to conceal a matter." The NIV reads the exact same as the NASB(1995). From what I've read, this verse means that God knows all mysteries, there is nothing unknown to Him. We only know a portion of why God does what he does...and we may never know why, until we reach Glory one day. Therefore, it is God's glory to conceal what He does. As for the second part of the verse: "but the glory of Kings is to search out a matter": this means that a good king will use every resource at His disposal to find out the truth of a matter. Of course, God does not have to do this, He is all knowing (omniscient) and all powerful (omnipotent). 
Lastly, Vs. 17 reads:
Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, or he will become weary of you and hate you.
This is a funny one to me, because I've had people who've overstayed their welcome on many occasions. Solomon is simply telling us to us wisdom when being a guest in someone's home. I wonder if this applies to our kids that leave the "nest" then have to come back a few years later? :)
God Bless you very much.
​Pastor Erik.​
​