Apples of Gold
25: 11-14
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
What lessons and insights have you learned about ADONAI, relationships, problems, temptations, and other aspects of life. David prayed: God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course (Psalm 119:33 Msg). Sadly, many times we don’t learn from our mistakes. Of the Israelites, the Bible says: Over and over God rescued them, but they, never learned – until their sins finally destroyed them (Psalm 106:43 Msg). You have probably met people like that. Maybe it’s us! While it is wise to learn from experience, it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others. There isn’t enough time to learn everything in life by trial and error. We must learn from the life lessons of one another. The Bible says: Like apples of golden in a silver basket is a word appropriately spoken. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry (Proverbs 25:11-12 Hebrew); also see Philippians 4:11-13; Second Corinthians 1:4-10; Psalm 40 and 119:71; Genesis 50:20).
It would be helpful for you to write down the major lessons you have learned in your life so you can share them with others. We should be so grateful to Solomon who gave us the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, which are filled with practical lessons on living. Imagine how much needless frustration could be avoided if we learned from each other’s life lessons. Mature people develop the habit of extracting life lessons from everyday experiences.476
Like the cold of snow at harvest time is the faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters (25:13 Hebrew). Effective communication over distances in the ancient Near East typically depended on messengers. Business transactions, political decisions, not to speak of personal communication – all depended on the reliability of those who were appointed to carry the message. Without question this verse doesn’t refer to snow in the summer heat of harvest, for that would be unreasonable, but rather to ice cold water from mountain snow. The Lebanon Mountains run for approximately 100 miles and rise to an elevation of 10,131 feet. Consequently, they normally have snow at their highest elevations, and since much of the snow melts during the summer heat, the waters running down from it into the various streams are ice cold.477
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts falsely about his gifts (25:14 Hebrew). Like the previous proverb, this one also contains a metaphor that begins with the comparison. Clouds and wind are usually a sign of a coming downpour of rain (First Kings 18:45). Not to get rain could be disastrous, especially for farmers. This helps us understand the false or deceptive gifts of the second colon. It refers to those who say they will do something, or perform some service, brag about it, but never produce anything.478 Jude warns us that at the end times, false teachers will act like this, making great claims, but are only full of empty words (see Jude, to see link click As – They are Autumn Trees without Fruit, Wild Waves of the Sea Foaming Up Their Shame, Wandering Stars). As they say in Texas, “Big hat, no cattle.” The proverb then serves as a warning to watch out for these false claims, and not to get sucked in over mere promises. Look for results.
Dear heavenly Father, praise You for offering so many “apples of gold/lessons” in Your Word. You are such a wise and loving Father. One big “apple of gold/lesson” is: God can always be trusted! Even when there are trials and problems and life seems so dark and hard. These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua (First Peter 1:7). Faith holds tight the apple of gold of Your righteousness and trusts even when the future is unknown. But the righteous will live by his trust (Habakkuk 2:4b). A very special “apple of gold” is that: “All You say and do is wrapped in Your tender love. Your love, ADONAI, is in the heavens, Your faithfulness up to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like the great deep (Psalms 36:5-6). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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