Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Proverbs 25:2-10               

Proverbs 25:2-10

Wise old King Solomon. The Bible tells us he was the wisest of all men and the great leaders of his day made a beeline to his throne for counsel. Solomon was wise indeed, but that did not lead him to always make the best decisions. One of the challenges of life, even for a man like Solomon, was that because he was sought, there would always be those around him attempting to sway his choices. In this week’s reading from the Old Testament Solomon writes:

“Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 

take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness” (Proverbs 25:4-5).

The key is what I will refer to as “discerning removal.” The first thought expressed in this divine couplet gives clue to the second. The desired end of the matter requires a taking away of something undesirable. Dross must be removed from the silver and the king’s throne room needs to be cleared of corruption as well. Guard your heart, Solomon will write elsewhere, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. Guard and remove when necessary, anything that will keep you from the life of faith and receiving of the good gifts of God. The work of removal is worth the result. Always.