Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11

What a beautiful word picture! Imagine how pleasing to the eye that would be; the glistening interplay of the gold and the silver with the added thought of the sweetness of the apples. One can imagine it on the base of a silver salver, bearing fruit to the table.

Yet the word picture intent is not one of sight, but of sound. It is a picture of the effect of the right word said in the right way at the right time.

What a wonderful gift God has given. Of all the physical creation, we alone communicate by using language. How sad that we often misuse this precious gift.

Our lips were intended to be a source of joy for one another. Words that edify, encourage, establish and reassure. How fitting that we use this gift of God for a godly purpose. We do this when we speak words that are fitting and appropriate to the occasion: comforting to the grieving, uplifting to the downhearted, befriending to the friendless, welcoming to the stranger, including to the lonely, receiving to the outcast, forgiving to the offender.

This was the way Jesus used this wonderful blessing of speech, setting an example for us to follow. Let’s honour the great God by using our lips to show love to his children, our brothers and sisters, and to bring glory to Him by our careful use of language.

Prayer
Our Father in heaven, thank you for this priceless gift of language, the ability to convey meaning and feelings through the use of words. Let my words today be a source of joy to all those with whom I speak. Let me reflect your love to your children, my brothers and sisters, in everything I say.
Amen

Study by David Stirk