Proverbs 25 – June 9

The Discover One Thing Online Study is doing a proverb a day for 31 days, seeking knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 1:4) and learning and guidance (Proverbs 1:5) from God. Read today’s scripture, journal on it using SOAP, then please share as we encourage one another in this one thing. Below is the NIV version of today’s reading, then below that is a SOAP from one of our study leaders. The Comments section on our website is an open forum for sharing, requesting prayer, and asking questions.

Proverbs 25 – More Proverbs of Solomon

These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
⁵ remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established through righteousness.

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
⁷ it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
    than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes
⁸     do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?

⁹ If you take your neighbor to court,
    do not betray another’s confidence,
¹⁰ or the one who hears it may shame you
    and the charge against you will stand.

¹¹ Like apples of gold in settings of silver
    is a ruling rightly given.
¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

¹³ Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.
¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.
¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
    too much of you, and they will hate you.

¹⁸ Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
    is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
¹⁹ Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
    if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.

²³ Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul
    is good news from a distant land.
²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
    are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,
    nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken through
    is a person who lacks self-control.

Neighbors | Becky Newman

Scripture

Proverbs 25:17

Observation

This proverb speaks to self-control and respecting boundaries. For me, since my neighbor is one of my best friends, the self-control part is not running to my neighbor to share every detail of my life. The respecting boundaries is honoring her safe place for her family and her place of rest.

Application

So, this proverb is one I have to actively implement daily. And I have to do it for my daughter too. I know God placing our neighbors the Copley’s across the street just one month after we moved in was divine. We both stay home, we have kids the same ages, we like to be outside, and we love Jesus. But at times, I’ve felt she’s had too much of me and too much of my daughter. I’ve discussed boundaries, such as “family time”, with my daughter, and I just need to keep it up, especially since the Bible tells me so!

Prayer

God, please continue to give me wisdom in this area. I know this friendship with the Copley family is straight from You, but I don’t want to abuse it or ever be too much. Please also help my daughter to understand these boundaries.

The Discover One Thing main website continues to follow the Life Journal Reading Plan which covers the whole Bible in one year. Click HERE to check out today’s Discover One Thing post.