Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. Proverbs 25:28
25 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
25:1 After the first collection of proverbs from Solomon and proverbs from foreign sources comes a collection of proverbs attributed to Solomon, but which were not compiled until the time of King Hezekiah. The following observations can be made: 1. The wisdom tradition concerning Solomon was prodigious; 2. Israel’s interest in wisdom was particularly centered in times of relative peace and a vital royal court life in Jerusalem; 3. Hezekiah’s involvement in this activity was a mark of strength of his rule and the sense he had of restoring Solomon’s glory.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
25:4, 5 Silver is valuable only after the impurities have been removed. Similarly, wickedness needs to be removed from a king for his throne to be established rightly.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; 7 For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? 9 Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; 10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.
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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.
25:14 Folks who constantly brag about what they are going to do usually can be counted on not to do it. Only evaluate a gift after you receive it, not before!
15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
25:19 An unfaithful man – annoying and undependable – cannot be trusted at all.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
25:21, 22 The words of Jesus in Matt. 5:42-48 have direct ties to these verses. Coals of fire speaks of God’s judgment (see Ps. 120:4; 140:10); the idea is that an act of kindness to your enemy may cause him or her to feel ashamed. This is just one way to overcome evil with good (see Rom. 12:20).
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:42-58
23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.
28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.
25:28 rule: Self-control is a key part of obedience to God (see Gal. 5:22, 23)
** A city broken down without walls is defenseless to attacks. That’s the state the enemy wants us to be in. First, entice us not to have self-control. “Enjoy now for you die tomorrow. Satisfy all your senses now. Open yourself up. No privacy needed. Empty your mind. Achieve the state of nothingness. Etc.” The lies people are being told. Good news is that we have the resources to build walls for ourselves. We have good messengers sent by God to protect us against lies and invasions into my very being.
