In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Whoso boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse fifteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “by long forbearing is a prince persuaded” where we read,
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,
and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
The verse begins, “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, ...” Solomon began with the words, “by long forbearing” or “through the means of lengthy self restraint and patience” “is a prince persuaded” which means “is a chief, ruler, commander, dictator or one in authority enticed, flattered and allured”. Solomon said through lengthy patience and restraint a ruler or one in authority can be allured and influenced.
The verse goes on to say, “... and a soft tongue breaks the bone.” Solomon continued with the words, “and a soft tongue” or “and a tender, delicate and gentle wedge in the mouth used for eating, drinking and speaking” “breaks the bone” which means “wrecks, crushes and ruptures the skeleton bones of the body”. Solomon said tender and delicate speech is able to rupture the “bone” of resistance.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how to convince an authority and break down their resistance. Patience and delicate words go a long way in convincing a person who rules. Impatience and loud speeches tend to harden their hearts and minds against us, and God is well aware of the way to influence people. He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we surrender our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us how to follow His patience and “soft” speaking so we may influence and convince those who are in authority over us.
Next time Solomon asks, “have you found honey?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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