Today in Proverbs 25:21-26:2, we see that the writer employs the use of simile – a literary device that utilizes the words “like” or “as” – to compare similarities or to contrast differences of didactic elements that affect our spiritual growth. For example, the writer says, “As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks” (verse 23). He is saying that in the same way that rain often follows the north wind, people will respond with anger or angry looks to someone who is sly with his tongue. What is a “sly tongue?” When we think of a person who speaks with a “sly tongue,” we may be reminded of someone who tried to take advantage of us somewhere in our past – perhaps a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman who deceptively tried to convince us how desperately we needed his 20-volume set of handyman books that were clearly out of date. That might stir up a little anger or a few angry looks in some of us. The writer says, “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land” (verse 25). When we are hot, sweaty, and exhausted, we pant and thirst for a drink of cold water, and good news from abroad is just like that – it meets our needs and our desires. “The righteous who give way to the wicked are like a muddied spring” (verse 26). These comparisons are especially meant to show us how different the latter is from the former. Fools should not be “honored” any more than we should ordinarily expect to find “snow in summer” or the “rain at harvest” (verse 26:1). True – these events sometimes happen, but they are unusual and extraordinary. The writer implies that we can glean elements of truth from the world all around us – all we have to do is observe and apply.
In Jeremiah 49:7-50:10, we observe that the prophet continues his prophetic addresses to Israel’s surrounding nations. Earlier, in chapter 46, it was Egypt. Then in chapter 47, it was the Philistines; chapter 48 - Moab; the first section of chapter 49 – Ammon. Here in verses 7-50, Jeremiah is targeting Edom, Damascus (i.e., Syria), Kedar, Hazor, Elam, and Babylon (and his messages about Babylon will continue now to the end of the book). God promises to “bring Edom down … as Sodom and Gomorrah – no one will live there” (verses 16-18). Damascus will be burned (verse 27); Kedar and Hazor will be plundered by Nebuchadnezzar (verse 28); and Elam will be “scattered to the four winds” (verse 36). In the first section of chapter 50, Jeremiah announces that Babylon will eventually be “captured and plundered” (verses 2-10). To some degree, God would restore some of these nations but not the Philistines or the Babylonians. Those cultures were reprobate – beyond redemption.
Interestingly, in 2 Timothy 2, Paul compares the Christian life to the activities of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. The daily pursuits of our faith are similar to (i.e., like) these occupations, and we must match our daily activities and commitments to them without distraction, within the principles and teachings of Scripture, and with diligence and endurance in our work. Paul exhorts Timothy to do his best “to present himself to God as one approved – a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of God” (verse 15). Paul compares us to “the many vessels that can be found in a large house” (verse 20), and he advises us to “cleanse ourselves from ignoble purposes that we might be instruments for noble purposes – useful to the Master” (verse 21). Paul states that our faith is too important to waste on arguments or quarrels (verses 23-24). What’s not to understand? All we have to do is observe and apply.
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