The Righteous Who Give Way

Proverbs 25:2,23-26:1 – It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings…Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.

Proverbs 17:8 – A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.

Isaiah 1:21 – See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her—but now murderers!

Application:

• ·         “A bribe is seen as a charm” is a sad commentary on human behavior.
• ·         Jerusalem has been unfaithful to the Lord. In Isaiah, her unfaithfulness is specified as social abuse, exploitation of the powerless, and violence against one’s neighbor—violating the Lord’s moral order for the community of His people.
• ·         God gets glory because humans cannot fully understand His universe or the way He rules it. A king gets glory if he can uncover the truth and administer justice.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV