Day 199

Comparisons and Contrasts

Read: Proverbs 25-28

We now begin the third section of Proverbs with chapter 25. These proverbs are a collection apparently discovered many years after their writing and copied by scribes in Hezekiah’s court. In the first part of this collection are many proverbs beginning with the word like. They compare a physical truth with a spiritual truth. Jesus in his parables expanded this form. Many of his parables begin with: “The kingdom of God is like.”

A person who gives wise criticism is like gold jewelry (25:12). Cold snow and a faithful messenger both provide refreshing stimulation (v. 13). A similarity exists between clouds which promise rain but do not produce any and a person who promises a gift but doesn’t follow through on his promise (v. 14). Both a drink of water given to a person who is thirsty and good news from a distant land provide a similar positive response (v. 25). A proverb told by a foolish person is as helpful as a lame leg (26:7).

We also have here more contrasts provided by the use of the word “better.” As in several similar proverbs, to live in a little attic room is to be preferred to a companionship that is filled with dissension (25:24). A person who is not a blood relative but who is on hand to be of help is better than a brother too far away to be of help (27:10). An honest poor man is better than a rich stubborn person (28:6).

PRAYER
Father, we thank you that we can understand spiritual truths through comparison to the physical. In Christ. Amen.