As we continue in our Wisdom Is Supreme series, we are told that the Proverbs of Solomon in this chapter were copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah. As he opens, he says this:
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” Proverbs 25: 2
So, what does this mean?
God always gets the glory because man cannot understand His universe or the way He rules.
Isaiah said it this way to help us understand when he was speaking of God. “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor?” Isaiah 40: 12a, 13
The Lord overwhelms us with a description of His greatness, doesn’t He?
That was the Old Testament we looked at. Here’s what the New Testament describes as God’s greatness and wisdom:
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out.” Romans 11: 33
God’s wisdom is so vast (immense) that man could never figure out why He rules like He does nor understand His ways.
Resolve any questions about God that you have with this truth:
God’s ways are always good, for He is good, even when we don’t understand why or how He allows things to occur and happen in our lives or on the earth.
God conceals matters, as it says in our opening verse. Yet, an earthly king gets glory if he can uncover the truth and administer justice.
Solomon continues as he searches out the depths of who God is. He gives us a picture and says:
“As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.” Proverbs 25: 3
We will never be able to accurately understand the mysteries of God, yet only He controls the hearts of kings.
Things that are unsearchable cannot be understood. The writer said this:
“There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand:
the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas, and
the way of a man with a maiden.” Proverbs 30: 18-19
Why can’t we understand these things? There are no certain tracks that can be readily followed nor explained.
Whether you are a concrete or abstract thinker, both should like this next fruit of wisdom, which is:
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25: 11
If we define “aptly spoken,” we are told that what is spoken is in a suitable or appropriate manner. In other words, our character and tone are important and powerful. Here’s why:
“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” Proverbs 25: 15
I love this proverb! Why? Patience and gentleness are defined as strengths NOT weaknesses.
The way of the Lord is much different than what the world dictates of us.
We have been disillusioned by being told that harsh and impatient behavior is acceptable.
My friends, the way of the Lord is what is asked of us as He modeled it for us.
For example, this is the opposite of what we have been shown or taught by the world:
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25: 21-22
Hear me on this, please! I am NOT advocating being abused.
What I am teaching is that an act of kindness may break something within your enemy and reveal why he/she is an enemy and not an advocate.
Don’t let your head get too big, however, in showing kindness. “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.” Proverbs 25: 27 Stay humble!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on My Beloved’s Voice
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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