Pr. 25: Solomon's Noteworthy Proverbs

Proverbs 25:11 "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. "

The men of King Hezekiah felt that the Proverbs of Solomon in this chapter were noteworthy enough to be copied and re-emphasized. Hezekiah, you'll remember, being one of the few good kings in Judah. Perhaps the content of these Proverbs in chapter 25 could shed some light on what he dealt with as king, especially his dealings with Sennacherib.

Remove impurities from your life, and what is valuable remains. What is strong remains, unweakened by junk. (v. 4-5)

It would not be fun to be put in place by someone with higher status than you, in front of other people with higher status than you. Just hold your tongue and don't act like a buffoon. (v. 6-8)

Make sure you have a leg to stand on before you bring someone to court. Another way to not look like a buffoon. (v. 8-10)

Good useful words are like apples of gold. I've heard that song. Remember the pomegranates on the temple and the priestly garb? (v. 11-12)

Don't always hang around at your neighbor's house, they'll get sick of you. (v. 17)

Singing songs to a heavy heart is like pouring vinegar on soda. It doesn't help. The heavy-hearted don't always need cheering up. Sometimes they just need someone to sit there and shut up. See Job. (v. 20)

Your enemy is still a person, and if you treat him like a person, especially when he or she is hungry and thirsty, well, that's just the right thing to do. And they will feel like jerks for being enemies with you. Plus God rewards you! (v. 21-22)

With broken down walls, everything can get in, and everything can leak out. (v. 28)