Whoever Digs A Pit Will Fall Into It

Proverbs 26:25-27 – Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.

Jeremiah 9:6 – You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.

Esther 7:10 – So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

Obadiah 15 – “The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.

Application:

• ·         “In their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me, declares the Lord.”
• ·         John Calvin said, “Man falls as God’s providence ordains, but he falls by his own fault”.
• ·         The day of the Lord brings judgment for the nations and salvation for the house of Jacob.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Answer A Fool According To His Folly

Proverbs 26:4-13 – Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison. Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by. As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

Proverbs 25:2 – It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

Application:

• ·         Sometimes folly must be plainly exposed and denounced.
• ·         Do not stoop to a fool’s level.
• ·         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

Donkey

Proverbs 26:2-5 – Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Psalm 32:9 – Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Application:

• ·         God’s servants must be wiser than beasts, more open to God’s will than horses and mules are to the will of their masters.
• ·         Do not stoop to a fool’s level.
• ·         Sometimes folly must be plainly exposed and denounced.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

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

Heap Burning Coals On His Head

Proverbs 25:22 – In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Matthew 5:44-45 – But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Romans 12:20 – On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Application:

• ·         “Heap burning coals on his head” may reflect an Egyptian ritual, in which a guilty person, as a sign of his repentance, carried a basin of glowing coals on his head.
• ·         Prayer is one of the practical ways love expresses itself.
• ·         Doing good to one’s enemy, instead of trying to take revenge, may bring about their repentance.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Give Him Food...Water

Proverbs 25:11-21 – Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and they will hate you. Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Romans 12:20 – On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

2 Kings 6:22 – “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”

Application:

• ·         Kindness to one’s enemy is encouraged.
• ·         Doing good to one’s enemy, instead of trying to take revenge, may bring about their repentance.
• ·         During the time of Elisha, the Aramean soldiers had been taken captive by the power of the Lord, not by Joram’s military prowess. The Lord’s purpose was to demonstrate to them and their king and to the Israelites and their king that Israel’s national security ultimately was grounded in the Lord, not in military forces or strategies.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

In The King's Presence

Proverbs 25:4-10 – Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.

Luke 14:11 – For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Application:

• ·         “Those who humble themselves will be exalted” is a basic principle repeated often in the Bible.
• ·         “Do not bring hastily to court” was a warning about the seriousness of disputes and the need to exercise caution.
• ·         A good name is one of life’s most valuable possessions.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV