Tuesday, April 8, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 25:16-19”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)


Interacting With: Our Neighbors 2: Proverbs 25:16-19
16) Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17) Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.
18) A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19) Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

This section of Scripture is the second part of Solomon’s teachings on our interaction with neighbors.  The first part of his teaching is found in verses 8-10…

EXPOSITION:
16) Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Be willing to share our blessings with our neighbors…
1.  Have you acquired honey? 
2.  Consume enough to satisfy your needs (and then stop)
3.  or else (if we continue to eat) we will be overflowing with it
4.  and we will spue it out

When we are blessed of the Lord, we must be on guard to not become selfish.  When the Lord sees fit to give us more than we need, instead of selfishly wasting the excess, we should be willing to share it with our neighbors in need. 

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;  And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk [that] they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.   (Isaiah 7:21-22)


17) Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.
Be careful not to “wear out our welcome” with our neighbors…
1.  We should remove our foot from the dwelling place of our neighbors
2.  if we do not, they will tire of our presence and become our enemy.

When we become self-centered, and do not consider our neighbors responsibilities, we will over stay our welcome and not allow them to spend their time taking care of their families’ needs and spending much needed time with them.

Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your [company].   (Romans 15:24)


18) A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Be careful to always speak only the truth about our neighbors (refraining from all speculation, gossip, and lying)
1.  A man who is an untruthful witness against his neighbor harms their neighbor like…
2.  a maul – a tool used to break logs in pieces
3.  a sword – a weapon used to cut an enemy
4.  a sharp arrow – a weapon used to pierce an enemy

When we testify against our neighbors, it will result in much harm to them, their families and all those who associate with them.  But many times, our words will come back to harm us and our testimony for Christ when our deceit is found out.

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.  Thou lovest evil more than good; [and] lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.   (Psalms 52:2-3)


19) Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Be careful to trust our neighbors only when they are trustworthy…
1.  Placing our assurance in a man who is untrustworthy during times of stress and trials is like…
2.  relying upon a broken, decayed tooth or a dislocated foot

When we rely upon those who are untrustworthy in times of need are like trusting on broken parts of our body that cannot be used, but cause great pain instead (like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint)

I say, [sayest thou], (but [they are but] vain words) [I have] counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?  Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.  (Isaiah 36:5-6)



SUMMARY:

Four basic principles to apply to our lives, concerning our relationships with our neighbors…
1.  Be willing to share our blessings with our neighbors…
2.  Be careful not to “wear out our welcome” with our neighbors…
3.  Be careful to always speak only the truth about our neighbors (refraining from all speculation, gossip, and lying)
4.  Be careful to trust our neighbors only when they are trustworthy…

May we all possess Godly wisdom and live our lives for Him.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.



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