For what we preach is not
ourselves, but Jesus Christ
as Lord, and ourselves as
your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2 Corinthians 4:5
The non-glory of folly: Fools should be corrected not honored.
Our lives impact others - three more ways that our uncontrolled words or actions can hurt people and create enemies.
Yes, the Old Testament does call us to love our enemy … and not to make enemies of our friends.
Using three different images, Solomon teaches us to speak corrective, reliable and gentle words.
According to the way of wisdom, our selfish use of power will not lead to glory but to shame.
What if there came a king who was truly humble and righteous? The glory of the king described by Solomon points us to such a king.
In the many responsibilities God gives us, he calls us to be both just and diligent in how we treat and influence others.
Jesus comes powerfully yet gently and reminds us that we are fully dependent on him, not our own experience or skill.
We are admonished in this passage not to envy the wicked - not to act like them, not to gloat over them, not to fret about them.