Putting You to Shame - Proverbs 25:10

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame. Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse ten of Proverbs Solomon shared how the neighbor will, “put you to shame” where we read,

Lest he that hears it put you to shame,

and your infamy turn not away.

The verse begins, “Lest he that hears it put you to shame, ...” Solomon began with the words, “lest he that hears it” or “unless, perhaps or peradventure he, your neighbor, perceives, understands or give heed to Solomon's listeners and readers telling others about their difficulty” “put you to shame” which means “reproach and reprove you, Solomon's listeners and readers”. Solomon said if his listeners and readers did not keep their secret about their neighbor to themselves, their neighbor would “hear it” and bring reproach and reproof upon them. 

The verse goes on to say, “... and your infamy turn not away.” Solomon continued with the words, “and your infamy” or “and your, the readers and listeners to Solomon's words', whispering, defamation and evil report” “turn not away” which means “be not restored, refreshed or repaired”. Solomon said his readers and listeners' defamation and evil report would not be repaired. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how there will be repercussions for discussing cases and difficulties with our “neighbors” with other people rather than the person themselves. The one who was offensive will “hear” that Solomon's listeners and readers have been discussing their complaint with others, and they will be perpetually reproached for doing so. God knows us, and He loves us. He is aware of the idea that “misery loves company” and there can be a resistance to going one on one with a person with a complaint against them. His desire is to help us, and He proved this when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the strength, ability and willingness to take our “causes” to the ones who offend us rather than others. 

Next time Solomon says, “a word fitly spoke is like apples of gold”, 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".