Proverbs 24:27

The Bible says in Proverbs 24:27, “Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.” This is a verse that emphasizes the importance of understanding the practical affairs of life, and understanding how to take care of your own personal finances. Centuries ago many people worked in the “fields.” It was hard work, very hard work. But it is how people earned a living and how they put food on their table and fed their family. It might be nice to have a beautiful home, but you had better make sure that your business and your career are in order first. God wants Christians to have common sense and to know how to take care of their affairs.

The Bible says in Proverbs 24:28, “Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.” This is a verse about honesty. Christians should always be honest and tell the truth, because Jesus our Savior is Truth. Notice that it says to not be a witness against your neighbor “without cause.” If they commit a crime, then you should be a witness against them. Why would anyone be tempted to deceive or to witness against his neighbor without a cause? Here are a couple of reasons. Some people want to get revenge for a wrong suffered or an insult. But a Christian should never do that because we are supposed to trust in the Lord and let the Lord decide what and if anything should be done to someone. “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. I will repay.” As it says in Proverbs 24:29, “Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 24:30-34, “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;[31] And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.[32] Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.[33] Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:[34] So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” Verse 30 ties slothfulness and foolishness together. If you know this world, then you know that “thorns and nettles” grow up automatically. It takes work to take care of a piece of property and keep the weeds out. Once you have fixed something up, it will not stay that way. Over time it will need repairs, such as when a “stone wall thereof was broken down.” And so you will have a choice to make to either get up and do something about those issues, or sit down and do nothing: “a little folding of the hands to sleep.” If you choose the latter, this will be the result: “poverty.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:1, “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.” This is an important verse because it reminds us of what God did to preserve the Word of God for us. Initially God gave the Word of God. Thirty-nine times God used a man in the Old Testament to write a part of scripture. Twenty-seven times God used a man in the New Testament to write a part of scripture. But once those original scriptures were written on a scroll, how did they become preserved so that we have the exact same scriptures that God wanted to give us today? God used scribes. God used the original authors, and then God used scribes too. The scribes performed a job that was just as important as the job performed by the original human authors. The scribes “copied out” additional copies of the scrolls. Of course, God not only gave the scriptures, but God also preserved them using scribes. Some of those scribes are identified here as “the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.” As it says in Psalms 100:5, “For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Jesus said in Mark 13:31, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Some things should be kept secret and some things should be revealed. It will take wisdom to know which for a given situation. For example, some people say too much when they give a testimony about the sinful details of a past life. Spare us the details. Those are between you and God. It is enough to give glory to the Lord Jesus for saving you. On the other hand, some people should say more about certain things. For example, since it is not politically correct and never has been to talk about the Lord, some Christians are much too quiet about their faith. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:3, “The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.” You never know what a leader is thinking. They have all kinds of competing influences. They also have a lot of power. Be careful what you say to them, because you do not know what they are really thinking or planning. Be respectful to them, and pray for them, but be careful. Most leaders in this world are not servants of God. Hopefully, there are a few exceptions.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:4, “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.” This is true about your Christian character. Once you believe and start following Jesus, God wants your life to improve. That is one of the purposes for trials that God allows to come into your life. It says in First Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:5, “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.” No ruler knows everything. Every ruler has advisers and counselors around him. If the leader is blessed, he or she has chosen the right kind of advisers: those who love what is good and true and right. It says to “take away the wicked…” That means to fire people. Yes, find qualified people to surround you, but make sure that they also know God and love the truth.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:6-7, “Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.” These verses are about not being too aggressive to impress a leader in order to gain advantages for yourself. Know who you are. Do the best you can, and trust in God. Everything will come to you that is supposed to come to you. Those who would do anything to get the attention of a leader often bring shame to themselves for more than one reason. Sadly, those who go to Hollywood to make a name for themselves have learned this the hard way.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:8, “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.” This is another verse that is a warning about not being too aggressive. This time it is in regards to strife and contention. If you enter too easily into a quarrel, you might be the one who loses. Everyone loses eventually. Do not be a trouble-maker, but instead learn to be a peacemaker.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:9-10, “Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another. [10] Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.” There are some things that should be done discreetly. If you have a disagreement with someone, you want to avoid a public display about it. That will only make things worse. Humble yourself a little, go to that person in private, and talk politely to them about the issue.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” This is a verse about the importance of words, and how valuable are the right words said in the right way at the right time. Using the right words is one of the ways that we become a good testimony for Christ. Using the right words can heal the wounds of the soul. Using the right words can inspire people to go out and do great deeds that you yourself cannot do, but you will share in their victory because of your words. Use the right words and there will be peace instead of war. Use the right words and the Word of God will be taught so that Christians will become stronger and closer to Christ, and the name of God will be glorified.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:12, “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” This verse elevates two things: being a “wise reprover” and having “an obedient ear.” Parents and preachers and leaders need to reprove. But if you do not reprove in a “wise” way, then you will come across as negative and condemning and make things worse. For example, parents are warned in Ephesians 5:4, “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The goal is to teach children, not necessarily to punish them. Of course, punishments may be necessary at times, but you had better be very careful what punishments you use and how you administer them. There will not be many punishments necessary if your words fall on “an obedient ear.” It is just as important to have a good student as it is to have a good teacher, if real learning is to take place.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:13, “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” The key word in this verse is the word “faithful.” To be faithful means to be consistent. If you are faithful, you can be counted on to get the job done. Of course, the Lord Jesus wants us to be a faithful “messenger.” A messenger has a message to deliver, and the message comes from whoever sent the messenger. Our message is the message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ: the good news that God loves you, and you can be saved and live in heaven forever if you put your faith in Jesus.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:14, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” Because human beings are easily arrogant and easily dishonest, the combination of these two things will result in boasting. It is interesting that this verse speaks of boasting about “a false gift.” You do not have to pretend to be important. Give your heart to Jesus, and you are important. You are important to God because you are one of His servants. And Jesus has given you one or more gifts to use to serve Him. Instead of boasting about a false gift, find out what your spiritual gifts are and use them to serve Jesus.

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:15, “By long forebearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” When you want something, be careful about being too aggressive. Leaders can be influenced, but you have to know how to do it. First of all it might take some time: “long forbearing,” in other words patience will be needed. It certainly can be that way with our prayers to the Lord. Jesus does not always give us what we ask the first time that we ask for it. But never give up on God. Prayer changes things. Be faithful in presenting your requests to the Lord, and in His time you will see great things happen. In dealing with human leaders, learn how to use a “soft tongue.” Do not demand your rights. Make your petitions calmly and politely, and you will have a much better chance of success.

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