Sunday, October 16, 2016

Flog Honest Officials

Proverbs 17:25-18:4 – A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him. If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right. The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

Jeremiah 38:5 – “He is in your hands,” King Zedekiah answered. “The king can do nothing to oppose you.”

Job 2:13 – Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Application:

  • ·         “The king can do nothing” not because of inability or lack of authority but through failure of nerve. Zedekiah feared his own officials.
  • ·         “No one said a word to him” was a wiser response than Elphaz’, Bildad’s and Zophar’s later speeches to Job would prove to be.
  • ·         A wise person’s words are refreshing and a source of life.



All Scripture verses taken from NIV

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