Proverbs 25:7b-14 — Conflict and Comparison

READ THIS: Proverbs 25:7b-14

7b What you have seen with your eyes 8 do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? 9 If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence, 10 or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand. 11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. 13 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. 14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

This section of Proverbs covers two different things, so let’s break it down in the same way. First, we will tackle verses 7b-10, then we will look at verses 11-14!

The first section we see here is all about how we handle conflict. First, Solomon says that we shouldn’t be quick to take another person to court. If someone take someone else to court quickly, they can bring shame to themselves in two ways… they could win the case and deeply hurt someone unnecessarily, or they could lose the case and embarrass themselves. Instead, Solomon is suggesting that when we deal with others in conflict, the best way to handle it is face to face! Matthew 18:15-17 is a verse that we use a lot here, and in that passage, Jesus gives us the same advice. Conflict is always handled better when we handle it between 3 people: you, the person you have a problem with, and Jesus! If it doesn’t work, then widen the circle of people the way that Jesus teaches.

The second section we see is full of comparisons (“____ is like ____”). Here we see three things compared to something positive, and one compared to something negative. Verses 11-12 tell us that wise words, even hard ones to hear (like a rebuke), are hard to find and valuable in our world, just like gold! Verse 13 says that a faithful and trustworthy messenger is a cool, refreshing drink for their master, just like we can faithful messengers to Jesus, our Master. But let’s not forget about verse 14… what’s that all about? Have you ever seen a big, dark cloud in the sky and been like “well… it’s definitely about to rain!” But then an hour passes, then two, then three, and there’s nothing? When we brag about how much we give to others and serve them, when in reality we care about ourselves, we are like a big cloud that doesn’t bring even a hint of what it was made to do: rain! God made us to love others and glorify Him… so let’s be faithful and trustworthy, just like verse 13 talks about!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. How good are you at handling conflict the way Jesus and Solomon teach us to? How can you get better at it?

2. Are you a faithful and trustworthy messenger for Jesus? How can you be a messenger that speaks with love and truth, just like Jesus does?

TRY THIS:
 
Do your best to breathe and not respond quickly to anger the next time someone frustrates you or annoys you today! Think about what it would look like to let it go, and if you can’t, talk to that person 1-on-1!

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