Sunshine Hills Chinese Pentecostal Church
經文:
箴言廿五～廿六章
鑰節:
「一句話說得合宜，就如金蘋果在銀網子裏」（25：11）
提要
箴言中的這一段（25：1~29：27），是希西家王宮廷的人抄錄的，希西家王謹慎的保存著這抄本，為要帶給猶大人靈裏的更新。而希西家王自己對所羅門王的事跡亦十分感興趣，這位世界上最智慧的王的生活、他所說的話、他和其他人之間的關係、以及他如何鞏固王位等等，都記載在廿五章的頭七節中。一個尊榮智慧的王，或是任何一位領導者，都會去探索研究一些事，讓真理能夠顯明，而其中最重要、最可認真探索研究的，就是上帝的話，在上帝的話中能察明最重要的真理、也能使人明白上帝的意願和心意。
當邪惡的人在王面前出現時，問題和紛爭也隨之而來，為要將王位堅立在公義之上，智慧的王必須除去左右邪惡的謀士，只能用那些可信賴的、誠實的、正直的和公義的；王如此行就像煉銀的人，先除去銀子中的渣滓，才能得到精緻的器皿（25：4~5）。
耶穌用比喻，教導人謙卑（路14：7~11），和箴言25：6~7節十分相似；一個聰明的人，不會在王面前妄自尊大，免得招來羞辱，若一個人只是驕傲的想要得到別人的誇讚，或想得一個不是為他預留的位置，到時他得的只是指責令他丟臉。今日在萬王之王的面前，也只有謙卑的人能受尊榮。
另外會招致羞辱的是，在外公開與人爭吵（25：8~10），若真要與人爭論，只要與他一人爭論，若可能也要有耐心用溫柔的話相勸，因唯有如此能消除爭論（25：15），就像一個美麗的裝飾，放置牆上一樣（金蘋果放在銀網中），一句合宜的話會帶來平靜安息（25：11）。
箴言給予人們生命中及人際關係間，許多智慧的操練；例如：做任何事不要過量，像吃太多的食物、蜂蜜或太常拜訪鄰舍，都會遭到輕視（25：16~17）；其次也有許多箴言，強調智慧人要自制，一個人若能節制不放縱，才能討上帝的喜悅；智慧的人不僅對外在物質能節制，對內在精神上也要能節制（一個人內在的慾望和性情）；若他不能克制自己，會被人嘲笑、羞辱和輕視，本身也容易受人攻擊的，就像一個城牆被毀壞的城市（尼1：3）。
對仇敵仁慈，也是耶穌教導中的原則，且主要回報這人。仁慈的對仇敵，就像把炭火堆在仇敵頭上，且能將存在兩人之間的仇恨化解（25：21~22，太5：44，羅12：20）。
第廿六章談到，愚蠢人的行為（1~12）、懶惰人（13~16）和說閒話的人（17~28）以及他們和周圍人的關係。在26：4~5中似乎有點矛盾，但我們仔細的去研究所羅門的意向，就會明白，在不同的情況下要有不同的反應；有時不該與愚笨的人討論，因是徒勞，甚至可能降低了自己也成為愚笨（4節），但有時聰明的人必需有力的責備愚笨人，回答出他的愚昧來，或許如此做能使這愚笨的人免去犯驕傲的罪，以為自己是聰明人，就像懶惰人也從不肯承認自己懶惰（26：5，12，16）。
過份殷勤會導致爭論、誹謗、閒話和欺騙（26：17~28）有邪惡心思的人，說話乖張，結果是爭鬥和毀壞，上帝會將他們所計畫一切邪惡，回報到他們自己身上，使他們承受毀滅（26：26~27）；相同的，保羅也警告過加拉太的基督徒：「不要自欺，上帝是輕慢不得的，人種的是什麼，收的也是什麼」（加6：7），我們服事的上帝是全然公義的。
禱告
上帝啊！使我們說話有智慧，能建造人而不使人跌倒，求您將您的愛充滿我們，使我們心中豐富，口能述說（太12：34）。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！
English
Scriptures:
Read Proverbs 25&26
Key Verse:
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."（Proverbs 25:11）
Overview
We are told that this section of the Book of Proverbs (25:1-29:27) was compiled by the scribes of good King Hezekiah, who was anxious to preserve these sacred manuscripts and bring spiritual reformation to Judah. He was naturally interested in what Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived, had to say regarding kings, one's relationship to the king, and the establishment of the king's throne; so the first seven verses of chapter 25 deal with just that. A noble and wise king, or any leader, is to "search out a matter" that the truth may be revealed. It is especially important for the Word of God to be thoroughly searched, for within it is found the greatest of truths, enabling one to discover the will and mind of God.
When the wicked are present, problems and contention are sure to arise. In order for the king's throne to be established in righteousness, the wise king must cleanse his court, employing only those who are trustworthy, honest, pure, and righteous; then, like purified silver, it can be made into something beautiful (25:4-5).
Jesus taught in parable form the principle of humility (Luke 14:7-11) that closely resembles Proverbs 25:6-7, in which one is wisely advised to not exalt himself before a king so that he might not be put to shame. If one is proud and desires selfish approbation or a position which he does not deserve, he will surely be humiliated and rebuked by the one he seeks to impress. Before the King of kings, only the humble will be honoured.
Another way one may be put to shame is by publicly exposing a quarrel between individuals by going to court (25:8-10). It is better to settle differences privately, if possible, and if one is patient and uses gentle words, a dispute is quickly resolved (25:15). Like beautiful ornaments on a wall ("apples of gold in settings of silver") is a word fitly spoken which brings peace (25:11).
The Proverbs give much practical wisdom for one's personal life, as well as one's relationship with others. We are advised against doing anything in excess, such as having too much of a good thing, like honey, or even in visiting one's neighbour too often, which can breed contempt (25:16-17). The emphasis here, as in many proverbs, is upon self-control. One is not to over-indulge, but to rather do all things in moderation; this is pleasing to the Lord. The wise person is also to have self-control over his spirit (the inner man with his desires and temperament). If he does not have self-control, he will be held up to ridicule, reproach, and contempt, and he will become vulnerable, just like a city whose walls have broken down (cf. Neh. 1:3).
Showing kindness to an enemy is a priniciple that Jesus taught and something for which the Lord will reward. More often than not, to "heap coals of fire on his head" by showing kindness will have a great effect in melting away the problems that exist (25:21-22; Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20).
Chapter 26 deals with the folly of fools (vv. 1-12), sluggards (vv. 13-16), and gossipers (vv. 17-28) and one's relationship to them. There seems to be a contradiction in 26:4-5, but upon closer examination Solomon's intention is clear. There is a time when one should not enter into discussion with a fool, for such is vain, and he might lower himself to the fool's level (v. 4). Yet there is a time when the wise person must answer the fool with a strong rebuke to show him his folly, so that he might not also be guilty of pride in thinking that he is wise in his own eyes, as the sluggard thinks (26:5, 12, 16).
Considerable attention is given to the effects of contention, slander, gossip, and deceitful words (26:17-28). Those who speak in these perverse ways have wicked hearts and cause strife and ruin. The Lord will reveal their wickedness and bring back upon them, all the ruin they planned for others (26:26-27). Similarly, the Apostle Paul warned the Galatian Christians, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7). We serve a God of perfect justice!
Prayer
Oh God, give us wisdom in the words we speak. May our words always serve to build up rather than tear down. We ask, Lord, that You shed your love abroad in our hearts, for "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Matt.12:34).