What is the meaning of apples of gold in settings of silver in Proverbs 25:11?

But on the other hand, our lips may be used in a most refreshing and profitable way. The succeeding verses of this chapter seem to dwell greatly upon the principles of ministry among the people of God. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." In marked contrast to a "multitude of words," this is but "a word," yet spoken in the proper time and place to meet a particular need. Apples are well known for their health-imparting qualities, and gold is a lovely symbol of the glory of God manifested in the Person of Christ, as the light from the sun reveals the glory of that orb. Is it not precious to see this type immediately the subject of ministry is introduced? Also, it is seen in a setting of silver, a type of the work of the Lord Jesus in redemption. How wonderful a basis is this for the ministry of the Spirit of God among His saints! How fruitful and sweet it is to speak of the glory of the Person of the Lord Jesus and the perfection of His work!

On the other hand, a word spoken to the point, or in season, is here compared to apples of gold in baskets of silver — fruit of divine righteousness served up with befitting grace.

In Isa. 2:16 the expression 'pleasant pictures' is supposed to mean 'pictures of desire,' as it reads in the margin, referring to anything on which their hearts were set. In ancient Egypt the nearest approach to what is now called a picture, is the coloured representations made on the walls of the temples and tombs. The walls in Babylon were ornamented with pictures on enamelled bricks: these seem to be alluded to in Ezek. 23:14: cf. Num. 33:52. In Prov. 25:11 "apples of gold in pictures of silver" probably describe some piece of jewellery judging from what immediately follows; others prefer to translate it 'graven imagery.'

This is generally supposed to refer to the citron but apples grow in Palestine, and the Arabic name for the apple (tuffuh) differs little from the Hebrew word, tappuach. Others believe the quince is alluded to, which is fragrant and of a golden colour. Cant. 2:3, 5; Cant. 7:8; Cant. 8:5; Joel 1:12. In Prov. 25:11 "a word fitly spoken" is like some elegant device, as "apples of gold in pictures [or baskets] of silver."

Speaking the right word at the right time is like rare art: ‘As apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season’ (Prov. 25:11). The tongues of sinful men, on the other hand, can be sharp instruments wreaking havoc: ‘They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips’ (Ps. 140:3). The ‘strife of tongues’ (Ps. 31:20) is a terrible thing. Even as believers we need to be warned because the tongue, if used in the wrong way, can cause great damage, just as a small fire can set ablaze a great forest (Jas. 3:2–12).

No; this was not the Lord's word. Such an inquiry might seem to the disappointed men a sting of reproach for their self-devised and fruitless expedition. Such a rebuke would be well deserved, but the One Who was speaking knew how “to speak a word in season to him that is weary.” Compassion came first, chiding may follow.

The Spirit, after briefly describing his elevated rank and his distressing affliction, presents in a few words a striking instance of God's ways in providence. In a raid made by the Syrians, a little maid was brought away captive from the land of Israel, whom we find a slave in Naaman's house. Judgment had indeed been pronounced on Israel (1 Kings 19), yet the king still retained his throne, and it is a child that suffers. To us this seems mysterious, but how is it possible for man to understand the government of God? How little can we know of the scene He governs, and the working of sin and of Satan in it? As Elihu told Job, "God giveth not account of any of His matters." Yet we may surely learn in this case that, in the midst of all the oppressions and wrongs, the woes and sufferings in the world, God has an order of blessing for individual souls that we may long to enjoy. This poor child was, notwithstanding all, in the right place, at the right time, with the right object, and in the right spirit to do the right thing. All the happy results that followed turned upon her little word so fitly spoken, "Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria, for he would recover him of his leprosy." She seeks nothing for herself. Her master, with all he possesses, is more wretched than she, and her heart yearns over him for blessing. She knows the character of the plague that is destroying him, and that none but God can heal it. He is an idolater, and lost: and she longs that he should be with Elisha. Her philanthropy is of a high and far-reaching order. She says not, "Would God my lord were relieved of his misery," but that he "were with the prophet." That is the first thing; bodily healing would follow.

This gives a peculiar solemnity to the preaching of the gospel; the issues of life and death, heaven and hell, are involved in its proclamation. "For we are unto God," says the apostle, "a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 2:15-16.) This weighty and solemn truth is known to all Christians, and should lead all to watch and care for the salvation of immortal souls. True, all are not evangelists in the sense of being public preachers, but all may evangelize by saying a word for the heart or conscience as the Lord gives opportunity. All that is needed for such a work is love for souls — a love which acts in harmony with the heart of Christ. This is the best gift of the evangelist. Millions of souls will be in heaven at last, and swell the song of the redeemed, who were brought to know the Lord by a word fitly spoken, by personal conversation and prayer. All-important as the ministry of the word to Christians most surely is, it is never a question of life and death.

A statement so momentous to every one of us as this is will be best understood by being considered in the setting in which it is given to us in the Word of God. All the words of our Lord Jesus Christ were fitly spoken and they shine in consequence as apples of gold in pictures of silver, and if we are to catch the full significance of them we must pay due regard to the circumstances in which He uttered them.

A statement so momentous to every one of us as this is will be best understood by being considered in the setting in which it is given to us in the Word of God. All the words of our Lord Jesus Christ were fitly spoken and they shine in consequence as apples of gold in pictures of silver, and if we are to catch the full significance of them we must pay due regard to the circumstances in which He uttered them.