“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”  Proverbs 25:11-12

     Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. If so, apples of gold in pictures of silver are indescribable. Their beauty is breathtaking, their value is priceless and their power irresistible. Such is man’s feeble attempt to describe the gospel of our salvation. 

     This gospel, delivered by a wise reprover, the Holy Spirit of God, who (John 16:8) “When he is come, will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” is God’s means to the salvation of the obedient ear.

     To hear with the ear and understand with the heart the truth of how God is just to justify the ungodly is itself indescribable. Isaiah 52:7  “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

     Finite minds are inadequate to grasp and can only gaze into the bottomless reservoir of God’s free grace in Christ. It is the word, the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. It truly is better to hear a sermon than to see one. Apples of gold don’t save; the gospel declares an already finished salvation.  (1 Peter 1:18-19)   “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Such is the mystery of godliness.

     To be blessed with a visit from the Reprover with a Word fitly spoken, is a miracle of grace. The ear adorned with gold is fashionable but an obedient ear is better. One’s obedience testifies that the Reprover has fitly spoken to his understanding the words of eternal life and he has believed.   (1Samuel 15:22)  “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

     Lord, deliver to my understanding and obedience the Word fitly spoken; “that I may be found in him, not having mine own righteousness (silver and gold) which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”  (Philippians 3:9)