Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl—Proverbs 20:25-30 Life and Conduct Id

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Proverbs 20:25–30

[25] It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”

and to reflect only after making vows.

[26] A wise king winnows the wicked

and drives the wheel over them.

[27] The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,

searching all his innermost parts.

[28] Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,

and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

[29] The glory of young men is their strength,

but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

[30] Blows that wound cleanse away evil;

strokes make clean the innermost parts. (ESV)

Life & Conduct Id

v.25 This proverb deals with the second commandment to not take the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11, Leviticus 19:12) when making a vow or taking an oath. When we make a vow in God's name, He expects us to keep it. It is unwise to blindly make a vow and only think of the consequences once you have committed yourself. Jesus taught us to not swear oaths at all but simply "let our yes be yes, and our no be no" (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12). In the Old Testament, there was a way to buy oneself out of a pledge, but it was very expensive (Leviticus 27:1-24).

v.26 This verse uses a harvest illustration like Proverbs 20:8 to speak of the king’s role in judging. The first step in winnowing is to thresh—roll something heavy, like a stone wheel, over the grain to separate the grain from its pod. The king who judges wisely thus separates the innocent from the guilty. Solomon is our example of old for a judge who executes divine wisdom (1 Kings 3:9; 16-28), but Jesus is the “one greater than Solomon” (Matthew 12:42). On the last day, He will separate the wheat from the weeds (Matthew 13:38-43; 25:31-46).

v.27 Contrast this verse with Proverbs 20:20. Only the Lord can kindle the light of life that can never be snuffed out. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5). God can see within a person to his innermost thoughts (Matthew 10:30; Acts 1:24; 15:8) and therefore judges the heart and knows who His faithful are (1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Timothy 2:19). St. Paul speaks of God as the one who searches the heart and knows the mind of the Spirit (Romans 8:27), and the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).

v.28 In the mortal world, it may appear as though power is held by tyranny, corruption, and war, but the only way a ruler can remain secure is to do God's will, show mercy, and uphold truth. This rule emulates the rule of Christ (Psalm 2; Psalm 45:6; Hebrews 1:8).

v.29 The young are often valued for their strength. This may be a not-so-subtle jab at the fact that the young frequently do not yet have the wisdom that comes with experience. The elderly are valued for their wisdom, which has allowed them to survive to an advanced age. Ultimately, this proverb points us beyond mere earthly age and experience to God's promise of everlasting life to those who see Divine Wisdom (see Isaiah 65:20; proverbs 3:2, 18, 22; 4:10, 13, 22-23).

v.30 God can use suffering to refine His people by the power of the Holy Spirit working within them through His Word and Sacraments. Not only this, but we also boast in our times of trial, knowing that trials bring about perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope; and hope is not put to shame because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who was given to us. (Romans 5:3–5; see also 2 Corinthians 12:5–10; James 1:2–4).