Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 25:1-14: Humility and Honor

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Solomon advises kings to seek wisdom and act with discretion, emphasizing the importance of humility by suggesting one should wait to be honored rather than assume a place of honor. He highlights the value of trustworthy words and reliable communication, comparing them to precious silver and gold. These proverbs also underscore the importance of patience and restraint, advising against hastily revealing secrets or pursuing quarrels. These proverbs guide towards wise leadership, humility, and careful speech.

The Rev. Gem Gabriel, pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Norwalk, CT joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 25:1-14.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

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Proverbs 25:1-14

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

² It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
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 the smith has material for a vessel;
⁵ take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
⁶ Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
⁷ for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen
⁸ do not hastily bring into court,^[a]
for^[b] what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
⁹ Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
¹⁰ lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
¹² Like a gold ring or an ornament of 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;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

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Footnotes

1. Proverbs 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. ⁸Do not go hastily out to court
2. Proverbs 25:8 Hebrew or else

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org