Proverbs 25:11-15

 

Prov 25:11 (KJB)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

 

Fitly - In its proper time

Pictures - Images

 

One of the great aspects of wisdom is to know when to bring in a word and when to apply it to a situation. This is why those who bring in a proper word at the proper time are considered wise. If you have an image of silver and there is gold woven into that silver, because of the difference in color, the gold will be easily seen. Since gold has always been worth more than silver, the gold would then represent the wise words found within the other words. There may be witty or clever words spoken in regular conversation but within that conversation will be words which will fit directly to the situation at hand, much like a hand fits a glove. It will be exactly what is needed at the right time. This verse also contains a good spiritual application. The conversation may be about religion and what one must do to be saved according to some religious belief and then someone speaks about salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, and those words will be gold among the less valued silver.

 

Prov 25:12 (KJB)

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

 

Reprover - To set right or show what is right

Obedient - On who listens, understands, and applies

 

Just as the right jewelry is worn on the right ensemble, the wise man who is receiving a proper admonition will not reject it but he will take what is being said and then meditate on it. If he is in error, instead of a prideful reaction of rejection, the wise man will listen to what is being said and since he has an understanding ear, he will understand what he has done wrong and how it could negatively affect him and so he applies what he hears to his life and therefore becomes wiser not to make the same mistake twice. This acceptance of rebuke will make the wise man wiser. (Prov 9:9 KJV) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. This is how the Christian must respond to any admonition since we have been given a hearing and understanding ear.

 

Prov 25:13 (KJB)

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

 

In the time of - On the day of

Refresheth - Return or turn back

 

The harvest time in Israel would have been in the summer time. So if there would have been a snow shower, it would have revived the workers who were in the fields doing the work of harvest. So basically, in the heat of the day a time of refreshment of the workers would have been welcome. The faithful messenger is like that snow shower, he takes on the task of being a messenger for his masters and then faithfully executes that task and then returns to his masters and tells them that the job was faithfully executed according to their orders. Knowing this it would refresh or put at ease the masters who sent him. This would also point to the Lord Jesus Christ who was the faithful messenger who brought the Gospel and after His earthly ministry was over, He went back to Heaven. This could also apply to the Christian who is sent to bring the Gospel as an ambassador. (2 Cor 5:20 KJV) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. As an ambassador, we bring the Gospel that we are commanded to bring. The ambassador, who represents his country, does not create his own messages but brings the message from those in charge of the country. As Christians we bring the true message of the Gospel as found in the Bible and we do not create our own teachings.

 

Prov 25:14 (KJB)

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

 

False Gift - Gift of Deception

 

This verse is so up to date. There are so many phonies on TV and Radio who claim that they have the ability to heal and that if you send them money that God will bless you. (Deu 18:21-22 KJV) And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? {22} When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. In Deuteronomy 18, God gives us good insight that those who claim to speak in the name of the Lord and the thing they speak does not come to pass, then we know they are false teachers or prophets. Those who send out prayer cloths or anointing oil for healing are as phony as a three dollar bill and they should be starved out of existence because they are all self-serving, hell-bound frauds. Clouds and wind without rain do nothing to nourish the land and those who proclaim to be somebody, when they are not, also do not nourish true Christians but minister to the flesh of unbelievers hoping to gain monetary reward.

 

Prov 25:15 (KJB)

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

 

Prince - Chief or leader

 

This verse is teaching that when a leader has wise counsel and that counsel is confirmed by other wise counselors, then he is able to make the proper moves in whatever situation is at hand. Sometimes when information is initially received, there may be some reticence concerning it, but if the information is confirmed by other trustworthy counselors or servants, then the leader can move ahead. The second half of this verse teaches that a person may have a very hard mindset but if they are treated kindly and if they are spoken to in a proper manner, they will warm up to their people. This verse likens the hardened person to that of a bone and a soft answer or speech will eventually break the hardness as one breaks a bone in a fall. (Prov 15:1 KJV) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

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