Poetry – Proverbs 25

Today, we hit the book of wisdom again.

Since we have been reading this book for quite some time and in great detail (relative to the prophetic and historical books), it is a good thing to step back, return to the basics and ponder what we are looking at here.

For this reason, I’m starting with a very simple question here – what is wisdom?

The book of proverbs tells us what wisdom is through very concrete and practical illustrations because wisdom is not something abstract and high-brow that only ‘intelligent’ people can attain for Elder James says

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

We can thus say that wisdom is something that ‘any’ person and ‘all’ of us require.

Also, because it is not just an abstract concept, it is something that requires us to consider consciously, analyse and most importantly, put into use.

Wisdom is defined by the ability to discern what is right and wrong (by the standard of God’s Word for Christians) and act accordingly for it does not stop at the mind but is carried on in action.

Let us read our passage for today, see another series of depictions of wisdom in action and analyse them to see the principles of wisdom behind these actions.

Bible Passage:  Proverbs 25

As I observed the actions of wisdom, these are the principles that I gleaned.

Timeliness n.

1. the quality of occurring at a suitable or opportune time; well-timed.

Wisdom tells us to do the right things at the correct time.

This may seem a simple idea but often, for many reasons, we fail to do so. Haven’t you ever had someone tell you,

‘You should have said so when it happened.’

Or haven’t you ever thought,

‘I wished I had shown concern earlier.’

Many times, we think that things can wait so we decide to do it ‘next time’ but often, we find that our good intentions are not well received later on. Proverbs tells us that

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver. (Prov 25:11)

Like the apples of gold, our intentions remain good but once the opportune time has passed, they are no longer ‘fitly spoken’ (or done in this case). And because the opportune time has passed, our golden apples do not fall into the settings of silver but are dropped by the side and wasted instead.

However, the reverse is also true for the same chapter says

Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbour has put you to shame? (Prov 25:8)

Thus, we must not be too quick to speak or come to a conclusion either. The point is to speak the right words and do the right things at the time where it will be best received or the best intentions will be rejected or ever worse, misunderstood.

Consciousness n.

1. the state of being conscious; awareness of one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.

In order to do the right things at the right time, however, we need to be very aware of what is going on.

Wisdom tells us to look without as well as within.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls. (Prov 25:28)

Seldom set foot in your neighbour’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you. (Prov 25:17)

Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. (Prov 25:20)

Awareness of our own motives, strengths and weaknesses as well as the goings-on around us is something very necessary in the discernment between right and wrong. It also helps us make wise decisions because by being aware, we know how to react to others so as to receive a favourable reception.

Moderation n.

1. the quality of being moderate; restraint; avoidance of extremes or excesses; temperance.

Wisdom also tells us never to be excessive or extreme.

Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit. (Prov 25:16)

While we often apply this to our enjoyments, telling ourselves that we must have self-control in our pleasures and leisure, we neglect the fact that moderation must be applied to all aspects of our life – even to things like loving our brethren, doing work for God and our spiritual nurture.

Because there are so many roles we play in our lives and so many things we need to do, yet we are so limited by our abilities and time, moderation must come into play at all times.

We cannot love a certain brethren so much we neglect the others. We cannot only work and not rest or spiritually nurture ourselves. We cannot spend all our time spiritually nurturing ourselves but not work. We cannot only talk about love but forget the truth. There are just so many things we need to balance.

To end off, I dug up a short piece I wrote a long time ago but felt was very relevant for our reading today.

Life’s all about balance
We balance,
Love with logic
Truth with tact
Faith with knowledge
Mercy with justice
Speech with silence
Joy with control
Sorrow with strength
Anger with forbearance
Success with humility
Failure with perseverance
Peace with principles
and hope with action

With the help of God, may all fellow travellers on this heavenly path attain and keep this balance.