APPLES OF GOLD

There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs, 29 of which were written by Solomon. One chapter was written by Agur, and one by Lemuel. Of those written by Solomon, there are roughly 800 proverbs, although Solomon apparently wrote some 3000 in all (1 Kings 4:32), with the likelihood that the great majority of these have been lost over time.

I want to draw your attention to the start of Proverbs 25: “These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied” (v1). King Hezekiah was a good king who lived about 250 years after Solomon and, like Solomon, he desired wisdom to help him rule Judah well. So, Hezekiah commissioned some of his men to compile around 130 of Solomon’s proverbs for his specific use, and these are included within the book of Proverbs as chapters 25 – 29.  

We should all desire wisdom and insight particularly when facing issues and problems in our lives, and of course, the Bible in its entirety gives us an abundance of instruction for our benefit. But notice that Hezekiah’s servants copied specific proverbs from the 3000 that Solomon had written, that they identified as being potentially the most help for King Hezekiah’s reign. But why was it necessary to do this, since King Hezekiah could simply have referred to the original 3000 proverbs of Solomon?

During my working life, and still into my retirement, I have copied various verses from God’s word that continue to give me encouragement and instruction in the cut-and-thrust of modern life. Like Hezekiah compiling certain verses that had specific relevance to his situation, copying such scripture is a valuable aide-memoire for us too, helping us learn scripture, assist meditation, and ultimately storing up God’s word as a living letter in our hearts.

One of the proverbs that Hezekiah’s men copied for him was Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver”. When we are hard-pressed, sad, and down-hearted, do we turn to that relevant, “now word” that most aptly speaks into our situation? It is the spiritual “golden delicious” apples from God’s word that are compelling and refreshing that will ultimately satisfy our emotional condition and our spiritual hunger.