“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.”
““A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.” Many times, we think that art in Biblical times must have been primitive; however, that is far from the truth. Here the writer is describing a royal treasure, something that was probably highly prized and admired, and comparing words spoken appropriately to such treasures. Decorating your ears with gold jewelry might gain some admiration; however, listening to the wise is a far better ear decoration.
“Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.” It’s amazing how few trustworthy messengers there are. Such a person must be reliable, discrete, self-sacrificing, and readily available. Being around such people is as refreshing as feeling that snow on the back of your neck in the middle of a blistering sunny day.
Think about being out in a field, struggling to harvest grain with a sickle. You’ve been there since early morning and now the sun is so hot, you feel as if you are broiling. Along comes someone who has just left the mountains carrying snow in a container. You grab that snow and rub it on your face and neck. Just for a few moments, you are blissfully cool. Trustworthy messengers bring just as much refreshment.
“Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.” When you’re in the midst of a drought, few things are more frustrating and disappointing than watching the clouds roll in and the wind come up, only for the rain to go somewhere else. In the same way, someone making promises he has no intention of fulfilling is just as disappointing. A country Gospel song says, “Too much thunder and not enough rain. Too many programs and not enough praying. Too many people are making too little change, like too much thunder and not enough rain.” (Dixie Melody Boys)
“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” Jesus once told a story about an unjust judge and a widow woman who wouldn’t give up. This judge didn’t want to give the little lady justice but day after day, she kept calling on him, demanding that he settle her case. Then the judge told himself, “ Even though I do not fear God or respect men, 5yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will quit wearing me out with her perpetual requests.” (Luke 18:1-6)
“If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.” Overindulgence in anything results in disaster. And while it’s fine to visit your neighbor to greet him, too many visits too close together will leave your neighbor feeling used and abused. We had to cut off contact with a long-time friend because his greetings turned into frequent requests for money, something we could not do.
“Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.” Once more, the Bible is warning against bearing false witness. Why? In Biblical times, lies could result in someone receiving 39 lashes just as Jesus did-the understanding being that 40 lashes would kill a man. In modern times, people have languished in prison for years because of false witness.
“Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.” One of the hazards of eating local rice and beans here in Ghana is the possibility of biting down on a small stone and cracking a tooth. I just had to have a molar removed, and the poor tooth came out in several pieces. I have no idea when I first broke it, but it definitely was broken. Bite down on a broken tooth or try to put your weight on a sprained ankle and you immediately realize your mistake. Trust the wrong person and suffer similar consequences.
“Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.” Few things are more frustrating and painful than struggling with grief only to have someone begin encouraging you to “buck up!” “Look on the bright side!” “It’s really not as bad as you think.” Years ago, we were going through a tough time when well-intentioned acquaintances persisted in giving us useless advice. Finally, I exploded to one friend that I didn’t want to hear from one more person who had lived a shrink-wrapped life. Shrink wrap is the clear plastic protecting packages of meat and vegetables. Nothing gets past shrink wrap. In the same way, there are many people who mistake their lack of experience for success and are more than willing to share their wisdom.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” Few verses are more misinterpreted than this one. In a culture in which fire had to be carefully preserved, it was common to share burning coals from one household to another. Such sharing allowed the second household to kindle its own fires for cooking, allowing them to feed their family. A gift of burning coals could mean life and health to another family. In the same way, God wants us to forgive our enemies, to pray for them, and to help them, trusting that God will reward us.
“As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.” In the Eastern Hemisphere, storms move in from the northeast. It is nearly a given that a north wind will bring rain storms. Just as certain as storms can bring rain, backbiting tongues will offend everyone around them.
“Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Marital discord is as old as marriage itself. Stay with someone who becomes offended by the smallest detail and you too would rather live almost anywhere else, including on the flat rooftop, exposed to storms and sun. At least, up on the roof you would be away from the nagging and would have peace. We know that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Did Solomon create a refuge on the roof just to get away from the bickering?
“Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.” We have lived away from our families in America for decades. Nothing is more encouraging than hearing good news about our relatives.
“Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.” Few of us realize how closely those around us are watching our actions to see if we are reliable and truthful. One of the saddest conversations I have overheard in Ghana took place nearly 40 years ago. Two doctors in a government hospital were discussing another doctor known to be a dedicated Christian. Evidently, this doctor had just begun collecting money from patients under the table. One of the two doctors said to the other, “I hear _____ has begun collecting.” The second doctor replied, “Yes, it’s true; we all come to it sooner or later.” (At that time, doctors’ salaries were so low in Ghana that house officers were closing from work and driving taxis to feed their families.)
“It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.” Honey was a common sweetener; hence, the number of references to honey. Here eating too much honey is compared to enjoying one’s glory too much. Far better to be humble than to be proud.
“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.” Lose your temper and you are handing others your head on a platter. The angrier someone becomes, the less control he/she will have over their tongue and the more likely they are to say something they will bitterly regret later.
APPLICATION: Remembering that Solomon gave all these pronouncements, we can’t help wondering how what Solomon was actually like. Was Solomon really true-hearted or was he simply a royal hypocrite? We can’t know. All we do know is that God has used these proverbs to guide people for thousands of years.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You and to follow You, regardless of the people You might use to advise us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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