Proverbs chapter 25

vs 1

Taking quite a jump now, and wouldn't be nice if all editorial comment was prefaced with "This was added by such and such." Hezekiah, eh? So obviously some of the Bible hung around, and it was only the book of the Law that was lost. That's a real eye opener for me. I mean, I should have known that all the stuff written in the Kings period would be extant for Josiah, I just never thought about it. Duh.

vs 2

Interesting idea. I suppose we can't hide anything from God, so hidings things isn't really a hugely meaningful exercise for us. But it's glorifying to God for him to know things we don't. We gain glory by discovering the things of God.

vs 3

Of course, God knows the heights of heavens and such, and he knows the hearts of kings. But we don't know either, it seems. The hearts of leaders are a black box, and we'd do well to remember it. For all the feelings and motivations we ascribe to them, we can never truly know what's going on in Bazza's head.

vs 4

Commonsense, really. But a picture for the wisdom to come!

vs 5

Because even kings rely on officials and advisors, and bad ones will corrupt his leadership, even if he doesn't seek to have it corrupted or if he's a good king.

vs 6

Because that is not for you to do. It is not for the lesser to make themselves great in front of the greater. Glory comes from the top down. That doesn't mean you can't be awesome, but glory that comes from below isn't worth as much.

vs 7

That's the problem - if you make yourself too high, then those above you have to put you 'back into your station'. And that just sucks. And now, the verse numbering goes halfway through a sentence. We were doing so well!

vs 8

Okay, so apparently the TNIV thinks there could be an alternate reading about seeing the nobles who you get embarrased in front of, and if that reading was prevalent in the times of numbering, then I guess they can be forgiven.

The TNIV, however, suggests that the seeing with eyes relates to something that it seems you may have possibly seen your neighbour doing. The point being you shouldn't be so quick to accuse him of something, because he might come and give a perfectly reasonable answer, and then you look the fool. Pelican egg on your face there.

vs 9

Oh, and once again we need to learn the lesson of holding our tongue. This time, we aren't to betray someone else's confidence when making accusations.

vs 10

They might lie in doing that, but it happens. Some people don't take kindly to being dropped into trouble, and they'll just lie to get themselves out of it. Then you're left squarely where you were going to drop them.