As we continue to go through Proverbs, let's understand that we are just as dependent on GOD for real wisdom as we are for salvation!
PROVERBS 25:1-2
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
In 1 KINGS 4, it states there as well as a few other places in Scripture that Kings, nobles and wisdom seekers traveled far and wide to hear the wisdom of Solomon. In 1 KINGS 4:32 it says that Solomon wrote 3,000 Proverbs and over 1,000 songs. He possessed wisdom that far exceeded the wisdom “…of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt”.
As you may recall in the previous chapter (1 KINGS 3) GOD gave Solomon the opportunity to ask anything of Him – GOD gave this son of David a blank check! What would you have asked of GOD if you had this opportunity?
As we know, Solomon asked for wisdom so that he would be ably equipped to lead and govern the people of Israel. He didn’t ask for long life, or for riches, or that the lives of his enemies would be delivered into his hands but rather asked for “an understanding heart”. Because of that the LORD decided to grant him all of these other things anyway!
King Solomon sought first for the benefit of the kingdom of Israel, and the LORD blessed him materially because he made the nation’s wellbeing a priority.
This is analogous to what we are instructed to do:
MATTHEW 6:33As disciples of Christ, we belong to the eternal Kingdom of GOD. Nothing that we build in this life for ourselves will last beyond the grave. Only those things established upon the will of GOD and His objectives will last and rewards we shall receive will last for eternity. So, it’s simply wise to store our treasures in heaven, rather than focus on earthly blessings alone.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
There are three sources of wisdom: there is the wisdom we humans possess naturally in contrast to the wisdom that comes only from GOD (1 COR 2:4), then there is demonic wisdom (JAMES 3:15). This is the sort of "wisdom" one might find in esoteric and occult philosophies.
Solomon was granted that wisdom that comes from above:
JAMES 3:17This is the same wisdom you and I have access to. Having access is one thing, appropriating and using that wisdom is another matter. If you want it, elder James (of the Bible) says, then ask and you shall receive (JAMES 4:2).
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Over the years there are some saints who’ve shared their opinion, that I have some measure of wisdom, and I have to make it clear: it’s not mine, it’s GOD’s wisdom as found in the Word, He just lets me borrow it and never asks for it back.
The LORD buries His treasures of wisdom; He doesn’t leave these precious truths carelessly on the ground. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter…” The Hebrew word for “matter” is dabar, and it has a wide application of meanings, but among them are: “commandment, decree, oracle [a revelation], and word (807x used as such).
The LORD delights in seeing us, who love the Holy Revelation given to us by His hand of grace, dig into the Bible, and search things out. GOD’s glory is revealed by the awesome truth He has ‘buried’ in a sense in the pages of Scripture. He’s got the most awesome treasure, bar none, contained in this Book!
DEUTERONOMY 29:29Why does vs. 2 mention it’s “the glory [or honor] of kings to search out a matter”? Why just kings only, and not us common folk?
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
“…to search out a matter…” here refers to examining something intimately, to penetrate or pierce, something found out [discovered]. In ancient days it was mostly only among the kings and nobles, who were highly educated, that could read and had access to libraries for research.
But not only can you read, not only do you have access to libraries full of information with a few taps on some keys to get to the Internet, but if you are a child of GOD, you are a priest and a king in GOD’s kingdom that is to come (REV 5:10)!
For example with online study helps: Check out www.blueletterbible.com
Once you’re on the website, click on “menu” and have yourself a veritable feast!
Most importantly, by the Word of GOD and the Spirit of GOD that dwells in you if you’re born again, you can be led of the LORD, along with His pastors and teachers to discover awesome truth found exclusively in the Bible! This is why I always encourage Christians to get into studying the Bible for themselves – because the LORD wants to share times of intimacy with you, and show you discoveries, and give you insights you haven’t made yet.
2 TIMOTHY 2:15For a Three Part Video series on the importance of Bible Study, check out the following three links; these are teachings conducted at an all-day seminar at SHINE BRIGHT Church, Tucson, AZ.
Be diligent to [study and] present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
PART ONE – By Albert Lopez HOW To STUDY The BIBLE
PART TWO – By Sonny Islas UNDERSTANDING YOUR BIBLE
PART THREE – By James Fire PREPARING A BIBLE STUDY
PROVERBS 25:3
As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Leaders of nations, CEOs, even pastors have matters that they have to hold close, and share with only a few, or at times none at all. There are times when leaders have to walk alone on certain matters and decisions.
Especially for pastors – except in this regard, there is always, always One other that these leaders confide in, and of course, that’s the LORD Himself.
Since pastors are ordained of GOD to lead the flock, ultimately they want to hear from the Great Shepherd of the flock and follow His lead. It’s then that the pastor (the ones who are the “under shepherds”) can faithfully lead the flock that follows him. That was apostle Paul’s admonition: “Follow [imitate] me even as I follow Christ” (1 COR 4:16; 11:1).
The deep matters of kings won’t be found out by his subjects by any method of discovery of their own, but if the king reveals his heart, then those matters will be known.
In truth, this is how it is with all of us. You can learn things about me just by observing me. You can probably guess I don’t own a comb. That my eyesight needs some help. I like to talk. But there is only so much you can learn about me just by observing me.
It’s the same with GOD: we can learn some things about GOD as Creator in the general revelation – by observing His created order of the world, and by how the moral conscience works, but these are not only limited in their ability to convey the heart of GOD but also marred by sin. So, they’re not always a reliable representation of Who GOD is.
The only way you can really get to know me is if I disclose personal information about myself to you. I have to reveal myself to you in order for you to know me with any degree of intimacy.
It’s only by the special revelation of GOD, His Holy Word – which is the declarations and commands of the King, the doctrinal truths of the only Wise and All-knowing GOD, the sagely counsels of our Mighty Counselor, the good provender from the hands of our Good Shepherd, the writings of these 66 love letters we call the Bible that express the passionate heart of our Savior that we can really know Him!
ROMANS 11:33Will we know GOD through and through in this lifetime, by diligently reading, meditating on, and studying the Holy Word, and by a regular, devoted prayer life? If we are faithful in doing these things, we will certainly grow incredibly in our knowledge of GOD – know Him far better and deeper than those who don’t do these things, but so many of His ways are still past finding out!
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
I don’t want to serve a GOD that I can fully and always understand with my teeny three pound brain – that’s too small a GOD for me! I love our LORD Who, while I can’t always understand why He does what He does, or when, or how, but He IS One that I can completely trust, and wait upon, and see His masterful work in accomplishing His perfect will for my life!
PROVERBS 25:4-5
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.
Precious metals such as silver dug up from the earth have contaminants and impurities in them. The most effective way of purging those out is with fire. Heating up the ore will separate the precious metals from its baser material and purify the silver. Once purified, it can be used to produce jewelry and be admired by onlookers, cherished by the one who receives it as a gift.
Incidentally, both the goldsmith and the silversmith will continue to subject precious metals to the heat of the forge until they’re sure all contaminants are purged, and its attained complete purity. Do you know how they can tell? When they can see their reflection clearly in the molten metal!
A metallurgist who was a disciple of Christ discovered that if we had the technology to make gold absolutely pure, it would actually become transparent - like glass! Consider REVELATION 21 and the New Jerusalem! Pretty awesome, huh?
And when the LORD can see His likeness perfected in us, when we achieve complete purity, that’s how we know we’re done in this world, and we’ve have gone Home!
In the same way, if corrupt, impure associates, politicians, etc., of a nation’s leader are purged away, then that government will be established in righteousness. This is not necessarily and very likely not “the righteousness of Christ” that is granted solely to those who by faith receive Christ as LORD and Savior.
This is speaking of “righteousness” as in right doing, fairness, equity, justice which can be exhibited in any government (though we are seeing a preponderance of the very opposite in most governments around the globe!
We’re seeing a lot in the news these days about DOGE – Department of Governmental Efficiency, a department formerly known as United States Digital Service, and how those tasked with finding inefficiencies, wasteful spending, even corrupt practices.
Musk and his team have uncovered tens of billions of dollars going either overseas into the accounts of terrorists, promoting LGBTQ and gender-transitioning surgeries in foreign lands, or nonsense projects here at home ($10 million dedicated to monitor and study damaged sidewalks), or into the pockets of members of Congress, who on moderate salaries have become multi-millionaires.
All on the taxpayers dollar – talk about taxation without representation!! I seem to recall that sort of thing that created a revolutionary incident here in America a couple centuries ago?
PROVERBS 25:6-7
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.
Does this sound familiar at all?
LUKE 14:7-11
7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 "and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
PSALM 75:6-7
6 For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. 7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another.
This is the determining factor of who gets promoted in the Kingdom of GOD; the proud are abased and rejected, whereas the humble are exalted and received. Being humble before the King of kings, and Lord of lords is simply knowing your place before the Almighty and Most Holy GOD.
Any and all in the pages of Scripture who had an encounter with the living GOD always found themselves doing face plants. But those who submitted to the authority and majesty of the LORD found themselves in exalted positions, placed there by GOD!
But the way of the saint is the place of humility, serving GOD in lowliness, and doing it faithfully. Like Stephen and Philip in the book of ACTS, if you wait on tables and do it faithfully to the glory of GOD, you just might find yourself being used by GOD in great ways, just as they were!
Humbleness and meekness can be seen as spiritual Siamese twins. You can’t have one without the other, really.
Set aside some time to check out this three part series on MEEKNESS Is Not WEAKNESS starting with Part One!
PROVERBS 25:8-9
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;
Discretion in dealing with conflicts, keeping the matter between you, them, and GOD without broadcasting to others how bad they are, how unfair, how selfish, putting them down so that you look good by comparison. That isn’t godly at all. That’s not what our LORD would have us do. How would the LORD have us deal with issues that cause contention and strife? Firstly, “love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 PET 4:8).
We’re told how we ought to deal with offenses in:
And when the LORD can see His likeness perfected in us, when we achieve complete purity, that’s how we know we’re done in this world, and we’ve have gone Home!
In the same way, if corrupt, impure associates, politicians, etc., of a nation’s leader are purged away, then that government will be established in righteousness. This is not necessarily and very likely not “the righteousness of Christ” that is granted solely to those who by faith receive Christ as LORD and Savior.
This is speaking of “righteousness” as in right doing, fairness, equity, justice which can be exhibited in any government (though we are seeing a preponderance of the very opposite in most governments around the globe!
We’re seeing a lot in the news these days about DOGE – Department of Governmental Efficiency, a department formerly known as United States Digital Service, and how those tasked with finding inefficiencies, wasteful spending, even corrupt practices.
Musk and his team have uncovered tens of billions of dollars going either overseas into the accounts of terrorists, promoting LGBTQ and gender-transitioning surgeries in foreign lands, or nonsense projects here at home ($10 million dedicated to monitor and study damaged sidewalks), or into the pockets of members of Congress, who on moderate salaries have become multi-millionaires.
All on the taxpayers dollar – talk about taxation without representation!! I seem to recall that sort of thing that created a revolutionary incident here in America a couple centuries ago?
PROVERBS 25:6-7
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.
Does this sound familiar at all?
LUKE 14:7-11
7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 "and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
PSALM 75:6-7
6 For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. 7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another.
This is the determining factor of who gets promoted in the Kingdom of GOD; the proud are abased and rejected, whereas the humble are exalted and received. Being humble before the King of kings, and Lord of lords is simply knowing your place before the Almighty and Most Holy GOD.
Any and all in the pages of Scripture who had an encounter with the living GOD always found themselves doing face plants. But those who submitted to the authority and majesty of the LORD found themselves in exalted positions, placed there by GOD!
1 PETER 5:5-6The way of this world is aggressive when it comes to promotion: kick, grab, stomp on anyone that gets in your way and climb that ladder to success!
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
But the way of the saint is the place of humility, serving GOD in lowliness, and doing it faithfully. Like Stephen and Philip in the book of ACTS, if you wait on tables and do it faithfully to the glory of GOD, you just might find yourself being used by GOD in great ways, just as they were!
Humbleness and meekness can be seen as spiritual Siamese twins. You can’t have one without the other, really.
Set aside some time to check out this three part series on MEEKNESS Is Not WEAKNESS starting with Part One!
The two best examples of ultimate pride and ultimate humbleness can be seen in the persons of Lucifer and Christ.
Lucifer according to ISAIAH 14 and EZEKIEL 28 was the sum total of supremacy in all of the creatures GOD had made. He was given the highest honor of all the angelic hosts. Yet that wasn't good enough for him! He wanted to be like GOD - not in His character and holy attributes, but in the power, authority and glory of Deity!
His pride perverted him, changed him from being a holy cherub to a satan - a terrible monstrosity.
Then we have the Word made flesh, very GOD from very GOD, The SON of GOD Who is GOD the SON! And He elected for Himself to take the lowest place in utter humility by taking on a human nature, then taking up the Cross, and then taking upon Himself all of the sins of the world - along with GOD's holy justice and wrath against that sin (PHIL 2; ISA 53; PSA 22).
Consider the destiny of both of them!
PROVERBS 25:8-9
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;
Discretion in dealing with conflicts, keeping the matter between you, them, and GOD without broadcasting to others how bad they are, how unfair, how selfish, putting them down so that you look good by comparison. That isn’t godly at all. That’s not what our LORD would have us do. How would the LORD have us deal with issues that cause contention and strife? Firstly, “love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 PET 4:8).
We’re told how we ought to deal with offenses in:
MATTHEW 18:15-17
15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
And further, apostle Paul says the following:
1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-7
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?
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