Today’s Scripture

Psalm 131        Proverbs 25:2-10         Hebrews 13:1-17         Luke 14:1, 7-14

 

Today’s message is from God’s word to us in Proverbs 25.  As we conclude this summer’s messages, The Old Testament Today, we will take a brief look at what the Book of Proverbs is.

 

            First of all, we understand how the Old Testament is divided into these parts:

• The Law  (5 Books of Moses)
• History:  Joshua – Esther
• Writings/Poetry:  Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
• Prophets:  Isaiah – Malachi (5 major & 12 minor)

 

            The nature of Proverb:

• Has several meanings in O. T.
• Taunt  [Isaiah 14:4]
• Oracle  [Numbers 23:7, 18
• Parable  [Ezekiel 17:2]
• Most are short, compact statements that express truths about human behavior
• Many are two lines long
• Easily memorized
• Many describe the consequences of a particular action or character trait
• Often written in form of instruction/commands
• Often uses figurative language  (simile using like or as)
• Often written using contrast:  a rich man is… vs.  a poor man is…

 

Purpose of Proverbs:

• To give “prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young”  [1:4]
• Wisdom is based solidly on the “fear of the Lord.”
• Practical book dealing with the art of living
• Reverence for God is the path to life and security
• People to trust in the Lord and not in themselves

 

 

Key word:  Wisdom – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge (wisdom).”  [1:7]

 

Wisdom is personified:

• Of divine origin:  8:22-31
• Available to all who will receive it:  8:6, 32-35
• Became incarnate by God’s grace in Jesus:  Colossians 2:3
• Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God:  1 Corinthians 1:23-24

 

Luther encourages us with these insights into the Book of Proverbs:

• May properly be called a book of good works, for in it he (Solomon) teaches how to lead a good life before God and the world.
• God puts his teaching into proverbs, so that it can be grasped the more easily and kept the more readily. 
• Luther recommends using Proverbs (with the Psalms) as a hand book and a prayer book for daily use.

 

            The Proverbs are attributed to Solomon with some sections credited to other “sayings of the wise” and to Agur and King Lemuel, neither noted anywhere else in Scripture.  We read in 1 Kings 4:32 that 3,000 proverbs are attributed to Solomon.  He was most prolific in recording these during his time.

 

            Although Solomon wrote these in the 10^th century BC, we understand that under Hezekiah important sections edited from 715-686 B. C.  It was a time of spiritual renewal led by King Hezekiah [ 2 Chronicles 29:30].

 

            Today’s Proverb from Chapter 25 addresses God’s wisdom vs. man’s way of doing things.  God’s glory in concealing matters at first seems difficult to understand.  He created all things and holds all things in his hand.  We cannot understand minute by minute what God’s plan is in all things.  The distractions of this world are Satan’s way of pulling us away from trusting in God.  In our earthly lives we give honor to kings or leaders in all aspects of our lives who can explain things, who lead us to light and understanding.  Yet we still cannot always understand or explain the motives of earthly leaders.  Sometimes objectives are clear, sometimes veiled in the layers and the “smoke and mirrors” we often encounter.

 

            Verses 4 & 5, removing dross from silver refines the silver.  When impurities are removed, the metal becomes stronger and more valuable.  This takes us directly to baptism, the washing away of all sins and the sanctification by the Holy Spirit.  Without this purification process, like the process with metal, we are tainted with the impurities of sin.  The blood of Christ has paid the price and removed that sin from us.  Through receiving that very body and blood in the sacrament we are continually strengthened knowing this miracle has been accomplished for us, Christ replacing our sinful selves with his holy self.

 

            Likewise, when unfaithful servants or accomplices are removed, the leadership becomes stronger.  In our church body is a history or separating from those who teach false doctrines and improper teachings and interpretations of Scripture.  We go to Scripture first.  Then we test our interpretations on the early church fathers and other theological leaders over the years.  We do not base doctrine on tradition.  We do, however measure interpretation on the early traditions because of their closeness to the apostles and evidences from the history of the church.  There are other denominations that base their interpretations on traditions that do not have their roots in Scripture or the early practices of the church. 

 

            Verses 6 & 7 align with Jesus’ teaching at the Pharisee’s house.  Would you enter a wedding reception and sit at the bride and groom’s table?  No.  But in many instances the bride and groom (or host of other event) take great care in setting up seating arrangements so you are with people of common relationship or interests for your enjoyment of the festivities.  The beatitudes in Matthew 5 speak of the recognition of those who are humble in nature.

 

            Verses 8 through 10 bring people to work out their differences between each other and not to debate for public.  Paul exhorts the Corinthians to stop suing each other in court, but to work out those differences among themselves.  Our synod over the decades has experienced condemning others in public forum instead of addressing the issues or accepting the decisions of issues according to well established means.  Local congregations often suffer from the parking lot and phone line and hallway discussions and condemnations instead of going directly to the sources.  Inside congregations are special interest groups, established activities, areas of ministry and mission that put themselves above the welfare of the entire congregation.  Sometimes popular sentiment is used to manipulate the system.  We Christians are just as sinful and conniving as the leaders in Washington and Springfield and City Hall in that regard.  Jesus exhorts working out the differences in Matthew 18. 

 

            Here the result of gossiping and revealing other’s confidences is straight forward, “you will never love your bad reputation. 

 

            How appropriate for our lives today, our tongues today, our working with each other today.  How much this passage points us to our sinfulness, our need of a savior who works the forgiveness of our sins for us.  How much this passage points to Jesus Christ who is that savior.  How much this passage points us to the celebration of “the peace.”  With long standing tradition back to Paul’s writings to “greet each other with the kiss of peace,” today we celebrate the peace knowing forgiveness is won and the peace we live in as we forgive those who trespass against us.  That greeting is so important as we strive to witness that forgiveness to others in our community. 

 

            It is more than a nice greeting.  It is the fabric that holds Christians together.  It is the mark the sets Christians apart from the rest of the world.  It is the humility knowing one’s sinfulness and accepting the forgiveness won on the cross and shared with you by another.  It is the wisdom God has given us in Christ Jesus.  He had neither house nor home, not even a bed to lay in.  He gave up all things, including his glorious heavenly throne, in order to give you all things, eternal life with him at that heavenly throne.

 

            Without Christ we can see how we do not live up to what is demanded of us.

 

            With Christ we are forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled.

 

            Proverbs are earthly practices that point us to the heavenly things and how those things come to us.