Shame
September 14, 2022
“Shame”
Blessings folk!
Let us read the next Proverb in the context of what we read previously…
Pro 25:6-10
Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen
do not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
ESV
You can see why the ESV punctuated verse 7 the way they do…”what your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court…”
So, what it the picture/point?
If you have a dispute with a neighbor, do not go off immediately to court.
Rather discuss/argue the situation with your neighbor yourself.
Too often we do this.
There is a disagreement.
We immediately want to turn to “a power that be” that will side with us.
It happens in the world.
It happens in the professing church.
The Lord says “no”.
Discuss the matter with your neighbor,
Settle it,
Or, you might be put to shame by your neighbor.
You might lose in court.
You might be revealed as not knowing the entire situation.
Lastly, do not reveal another’s secrets.
Living closely with people will allow us to know about one another.
Do not reveal secret things.
If you do, shame will come upon you.
Your bad reputation will have no end.