Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 686 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom for Leadership Development - Proverbs 25

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 686 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 25 from The Voice Translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I have experienced continual healing on my broken femur over the past three weeks.  I am now able to walk completely unassisted. I do still have a slight limp and am experiencing some pain but we are very pleased with how rapidly it is healing. Paula and I invested Labor Day morning outside weeding and replacing the impatiens that we planted in the spring with burnt orange mums for the fall months.

I am thankful that my leg is healed to the point where I can now work outside and return to many of my usual duties. Some tasks are still a bit difficult and takes wisdom to know when to limit myself while still pushing towards that limit to strengthen the fracture and muscles. Wisdom is important in all areas of life.

Today in Proverbs 25, we will learn…

Wisdom for Leadership Development

Chapter 25 marks the beginning of the fifth major section of the Proverbs. Let’s review what we’ve covered so far:

Section 1 (Chapters 1-9) consisted of speeches from a father to a son.

Section 2 (Chapters 10-22:16) contained 375 sayings of Solomon.

Section 3 (Chapters 22:17-24:22) began the “Thirty Sayings of the Wise.”

Section 4 (Chapter 24:23b-34) included more “Further Sayings of the Wise.”

Section 5 (Chapters 25-29) enfolds even more of Solomon’s proverbs.

We know from 1 Kings 4:32 that Solomon was a prolific sage who was responsible for thousands of proverbs, though other hands are responsible for organizing and editing this book. An interesting note is that Section 5 was actually collected some 250 years after Solomon by King Hezekiah (25:1).

This section of Proverbs is all about leadership development. Chapters 25-27 are directed to royal messengers while Chapters 28-29 are addressed to people in places of authority. Imagine life as a royal servant—you’d need to know proper etiquette, protocol, and how to conduct yourself. You’d also need to learn how to resolve conflict, diffuse a tense situation, or how to make a compelling case.

All that knowledge is right here! Chapter 25 is a manual of courteous conduct for important affairs. Whether you are an ambassador for a country or a spokesperson for a company, an agent for a client or a go-between for friends and family, there is something here for you. What might the Lord teach you today about how to conduct your important affairs?Listen intently as I read Proverbs 25.

1 These words, too, are proverbs of King Solomon, words which Hezekiah, king of Judah, later told his scribes to record for posterity:

2 God’s glory is shown when He conceals things;

a king’s glory is shown in his ability to explore the facts of the matter.

3 As the heights of heaven and the depths of earth are beyond comprehension,

so are the hearts of kings.

4 Take away the impurities from the silver,

and a good smith can create something of value;

5 Take away the wicked from among the king’s advisors,

and his reign will be established with integrity.

6 Do not claim to be important in the presence of the king

or vie for a position within the company of great men.