Pro 25:13 | KingComments | STEP | is about the immense value and incomparable beauty of “a word spoken in right circumstances”. The phrase translated “in right circumstances” is literally “on its wheels”, that is, a word that moves forward unforced as smoothly rolling wheels move forward. It is timely and exactly applicable to the person and the circumstances in which he or she finds himself or herself. It is about just “a word”, not a long speech (cf. ). Such a word is like “apples of gold”, like healthy fruit having the value of Divine glory, represented in gold, while being served in the sense of reconciliation obtained, represented in silver. “Apple of gold in settings of silver” are valuable words spoken in a pleasant atmosphere. This applies above all to the Word of God, to all that God has spoken. The Lord Jesus spoke to Nicodemus the words he needed at that moment ( ). Likewise, the Lord spoke to the Samaritan woman and to Zacchaeus. To the Pharisees and scribes, too, He spoke words they needed. He spoke not what they liked to hear, but what was for their benefit. We may imitate Him in this. In connection with , in it is about “a wise reprover”, one who knows how to speak the right word at the right time in the right way to the right person. When such a person speaks a word “to a listening ear”, it is like “an earring of gold and an ornament [or: a necklace] of fine gold”. A wise reproof that is well received is of lasting value. A listening ear not only recognizes the wisdom of the reprover, but also sees great beauty in it, like that of jewelry for ear and neck. The jewelry symbolizes that a listening ear radiates the glory of God (gold). God is glorified in it. A listening ear not only hears instruction, but is obedient to it. It also bows to it, the neck bows under it. There is no stubbornness. When the neck bows, it is girded with an ornament [or: necklace] “of fine gold”. The verse is the ideal combination of a wise father or teacher and a willing son or student. Job’s friends were not wise reprovers. Nor did Job have a listening ear for them. describes the effect of valuable words for the senders of “a faithful messenger”. A faithful messenger is one who transmits the words of his senders exactly as he received them from them for the person to whom he is sent. To the senders, such a messenger is like “the cold of snow in the time of harvest”. During the harvest, there is hard work to be done. Then a coolness is most welcome. A faithful messenger provides “the soul of his masters” with such a coolness or refreshment if he has faithfully fulfilled his mission. Faithfulness always refreshes, is always invigorating. Christ was the faithful Messenger of God. Paul was such a faithful messenger of God ( ). If we become servants or messengers of Christ ( ), our faithfulness will be a refreshing to our Master ( ). The promises of a braggart are hollow and empty ( ). The illustration here is that the expectation that rain will come is raised when we see clouds and wind. When rain does not come, clouds and wind do get our attention, but they disappoint our expectation because they are deceptive. With this the wise person compares the talker who brags about gifts in order to give them. But the promise is deceitful; he gives nothing, for he has nothing. His mouth is bigger than his hand. The lesson is not to expect anything from people who promise something with puffed-up language. We also see these false promises in certain circles who boast that with them, for example, you can get healing from a disease, or deliverance from your depression, or success in your business. Jude in his letter applies this to false teachers in the church when he speaks of “clouds without water, carried along by winds” ( ). It also applies to ourselves when we promise someone to do something and we don’t do it. We raise an expectation by our promise, but are like clouds and wind without rain.

‏ Proverbs 25:13

Precious Words and Empty Words

Pro 25:11 is about the immense value and incomparable beauty of “a word spoken in right circumstances”. The phrase translated “in right circumstances” is literally “on its wheels”, that is, a word that moves forward unforced as smoothly rolling wheels move forward. It is timely and exactly applicable to the person and the circumstances in which he or she finds himself or herself. It is about just “a word”, not a long speech (cf. 1Cor 14:19). Such a word is like “apples of gold”, like healthy fruit having the value of Divine glory, represented in gold, while being served in the sense of reconciliation obtained, represented in silver.

“Apple of gold in settings of silver” are valuable words spoken in a pleasant atmosphere. This applies above all to the Word of God, to all that God has spoken. The Lord Jesus spoke to Nicodemus the words he needed at that moment (Jn 3:1-11). Likewise, the Lord spoke to the Samaritan woman and to Zacchaeus. To the Pharisees and scribes, too, He spoke words they needed. He spoke not what they liked to hear, but what was for their benefit. We may imitate Him in this.

In connection with Pro 25:11, in Pro 25:12 it is about “a wise reprover”, one who knows how to speak the right word at the right time in the right way to the right person. When such a person speaks a word “to a listening ear”, it is like “an earring of gold and an ornament [or: a necklace] of fine gold”. A wise reproof that is well received is of lasting value. A listening ear not only recognizes the wisdom of the reprover, but also sees great beauty in it, like that of jewelry for ear and neck.

The jewelry symbolizes that a listening ear radiates the glory of God (gold). God is glorified in it. A listening ear not only hears instruction, but is obedient to it. It also bows to it, the neck bows under it. There is no stubbornness. When the neck bows, it is girded with an ornament [or: necklace] “of fine gold”. The verse is the ideal combination of a wise father or teacher and a willing son or student. Job’s friends were not wise reprovers. Nor did Job have a listening ear for them.

Pro 25:13 describes the effect of valuable words for the senders of “a faithful messenger”. A faithful messenger is one who transmits the words of his senders exactly as he received them from them for the person to whom he is sent. To the senders, such a messenger is like “the cold of snow in the time of harvest”. During the harvest, there is hard work to be done. Then a coolness is most welcome. A faithful messenger provides “the soul of his masters” with such a coolness or refreshment if he has faithfully fulfilled his mission. Faithfulness always refreshes, is always invigorating.

Christ was the faithful Messenger of God. Paul was such a faithful messenger of God (1Cor 4:1-2). If we become servants or messengers of Christ (2Cor 5:20), our faithfulness will be a refreshing to our Master (Mt 25:21 ; 23).

The promises of a braggart are hollow and empty (Pro 25:14). The illustration here is that the expectation that rain will come is raised when we see clouds and wind. When rain does not come, clouds and wind do get our attention, but they disappoint our expectation because they are deceptive. With this the wise person compares the talker who brags about gifts in order to give them. But the promise is deceitful; he gives nothing, for he has nothing. His mouth is bigger than his hand.

The lesson is not to expect anything from people who promise something with puffed-up language. We also see these false promises in certain circles who boast that with them, for example, you can get healing from a disease, or deliverance from your depression, or success in your business. Jude in his letter applies this to false teachers in the church when he speaks of “clouds without water, carried along by winds” (Jude 1:11-13). It also applies to ourselves when we promise someone to do something and we don’t do it. We raise an expectation by our promise, but are like clouds and wind without rain.