Wow, today we’re studying proverbs of Solomon collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. Isn’t it amazing how God has preserved what he wants us to read and study? Hezekiah was a king of Judah who reigned approximately 200 years after Solomon.
These two chapters use rich descriptions to make their point, such as “like golden apples in a silver basket” or “a gold earring or other gold jewelry” or even “like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot” or “taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar on a wound.”
Paul quotes Solomon’s proverb (25:21, 22) in Romans 12:20: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
What was your favorite proverb from these two chapters? One of mine is the seemingly contradictory proverbs found in Proverbs 26:4 – 5 – “Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.”
According to http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/17146/eVerseID/17147,
“In his article, "Is Proverbs in Contradiction on Answering Fools?" James Patrick Holding feels that the alleged contradiction between Proverbs 26:4-5 wins a major award for silliness. What we have here is not contradiction, but dilemma—an indication that when it comes to answering fools, you cannot win—because they are fools, and there is no practical cure for foolery (as this citation demonstrates). So: It is unwise to argue with a fool at his own level and recognize his own foolish suppositions, but it is good sometimes to refute him soundly, lest his foolishness seem to be confirmed by your silence.””
Solomon has a lot to say about fools in chapter 26. I especially like verse 12: “There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.” It reminds me of a poem I memorized when I was in high school:
“He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him. He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him.”
Another of my favorites is verse 27: “If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself.”
Tomorrow, it’s Proverbs 27 - 29.
Until next time…
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