Proverbs 25:11-20 addresses several important practices to which we should attend with diligence. Most of these practices relate to the use of words, our speech, conversations, and our general discourse. Here, the principles focus on an appropriate, well-chosen word (verse 11); listening to a wise man’s rebuke (verse 12); receiving a trustworthy messenger (verse 13); guarding our awareness of boasters (verse 14); exercising patience in our persuasive abilities and through our influence (verse 15): not being a pest to our neighbor (verse 17); and several other practical precepts. Within these ten verses in our English version, Solomon uses the simile “like” seven times to draw relevant comparisons to these practices. For example, he says the man who “boasts of gifts he does not give is like clouds and wind without rain” (verse 14). Why would a man even call attention to himself by such an embarrassingly personal, non-action? When we observe the skies, we can hardly miss the visibility of clouds or the presence of wind, but in the absence of rain we seldom notice them at all. This man – who did nothing – boasts about achieving nothing, other than to add his own hot air to the wind. Solomon adds, “in times of trouble, reliance on unfaithful people is like a bad tooth or a lame foot” (verse 19). Both are agonizing reminders of an endlessly annoying condition from which we just want to be free as quickly as possible. In this section, Solomon says we are foolish if we ignore these maxims.
In Jeremiah 40:7-42:22, we read about Ishmael’s crimes against Gedaliah, against eighty men who came to present an offering at the Lord’s house, and against others whom he had captured. Obviously, this Ishmael was a rascal and a rebel seeking power and control – inciting fear among those Jews who were left behind by the Babylonians. We note that these Jews were among “the poorest of the land and had not been carried into exile into Babylon” (verse 7). Gedaliah told them to settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you” (verse 9), and it did. They harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit” (verse 12). In chapter 41, we read about Ishmael's assassination of Gedaliah. Out of fear, those who were left behind intended to flee to Egypt “to escape the Babylonians” (verse 17). In chapter 42, Jeremiah warned them by prophecy of death not to go to Egypt – that God Himself would protect and provide for them if they remained in the land. Clearly, we learn from this example that we should not determine to do something and then seek God’s favor about it. We should pray first with diligence and ask God to reveal His will about it.
In 1 Timothy 4, Paul warns us to persevere in the faith and refuse to give up because "in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits – things taught by demons” (verse 1). Paul points out that these teaching will come through “hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron” (verse 2). In our day and age, we see many charlatans who pose as believers and teach all sorts of unbiblical lies. Paul counters – “Everything that God created is good and to be received with thanksgiving because it is consecrated by God’s Word and prayer” (verse 4). We are to “train ourselves in godliness which has value for all things,” and we are to act “with diligence” (verses 8 and 15). Our “speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity should be exemplary” (verse 12). Here, Paul’s wise admonitions to Timothy are similar to Solomon’s admonitions to us in Proverbs 25:11-20.
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