The Way We Grow
Having given the exiles reasons to endure, Peter turned his attention to instructing them how to grow into mature followers, able to endure.
First Growth (1-3)
Peter wanted the exiles to know they must rid themselves of:
malice (the motive to hold a grudge or hurt another)
deceit (speaking with hidden motives)
hypocrisy (concealing genuine motives)
envy (the motive to possess what belongs to someone else)
slander (the motive to verbally assault another for the purpose of harm) (1)
Instead, they were to maintain a childlike quality of craving for the spiritual milk (2). They would know when they had tasted true milk, for even in their suffering, they would recognize the Lord is good (3).
Community Growth (4-8)
They were not only to begin to grow but continue to grow together as a house for God. They were to be built together as a house by coming to the Stone (Jesus) who was rejected by the Jewish leaders (4).
They were further to become a spiritual house where their main purpose was to worship (5). Peter then quoted an Old Testament passage (Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22) showing that God recognized Jesus would be rejected but that those who believed would never be embarrassed by God’s not fulfilling His promise (6). Peter then made it clear that those who did not believe but were offended by Christ's plan would stumble and be the ones ultimately shamed (7-8).
Ultimate Growth (9-10)
Peter then explained the ultimate destiny of these exiles. They were to be a:
chosen people (with God taking the initiative)
royal priesthood (ministering to the earth for the King and ministering to the King for the earth)
holy nation (a new, set-apart, ethnic group)
people for His possession (a people belonging to God)
Their whole existence was going to be one great song of praise: “We didn't exist, but now we do, and look at all the mercy we are receiving” (9-10).
Practical Growth (11-18)
Part of their ultimate growth was practical actions necessary to become His people by nature.
They would need to abstain from passions that destroy their souls (11).
They would need to keep their conduct open and visible so their good deeds could be seen by all (12).
They were to be subject to governing authority (13), treating them as sent from God (14); honoring government is the will of God (15).
They were to be free people but not use their freedom to cover up some hidden desire to fulfill their lusts and do what pleased themselves. They were to use their freedom and live as servants (16).
They were to honor everyone, including the emperor, and love their brothers (17).
Those who were servants were to be subject to their masters, even the bad ones (18).
Suffering Wrongly, the Most Difficult Part of Growing (19-25)
Peter's whole point was simple: enduring sorrows while suffering unjustly was the God-honoring and gracious thing to do (19-20). This was their true calling. Their lives would not be void of hurts but they were called to endure unjust treatment just as Christ gave them an example to follow (21).
Peter pointed out that while Jesus was suffering, He:
committed no sin
did not say anything deceitful to lighten His suffering (22)
did not spit back aspersions when accused
did not threaten when condemned (23)
Jesus simply bore the unjust suffering for their sins so they could be healed (24).
Peter mentioned they had been straying from this calling; they had been refraining from enduring suffering, but they were now returning to let Jesus shepherd and oversee their souls through such moments of unjust suffering (25).
Piecemeal Proverbs (22:17-31:9)
In this chapter, Hezekiah's scribes were putting together a group of Solomon’s proverbs they had discovered concerning friendship (1-10), the family (11-18), and the development of management skills (19-27).
In verses 1 through 4, Solomon gives excellent advice on those things detrimental to friendship.
In verses 1 and 2, he mentions the damage boasting can do.
In verses 3 and 4, he covers the issues of resentment and jealousy.
He moves from discussing those things that can harm friendships to those things that can foster good friendships.
In verses 5 and 6, the ability to take a rebuke is discussed.
In verse 7, he uses a metaphor to encourage one not to take friends for granted, nor to be overly picky.
In verse 8, Solomon warns his son not to wander too far from the home-like atmosphere of his friends.
In verse 9, his children are told that affectionate advice makes the stink of a bad situation smell better.
In verse 10, he calls for his children never to abandon a friend or family friend, for the friend who is near is often more valuable than the one far away.
Hezekiah's scribes now turn their attention toward the proverbs Solomon wrote concerning family.
In verse 11, notice the phrase “my son,” used twenty-three times in the book. Of first importance, Solomon wants his sons wise, to gladden his heart and quell the critics. He next encourages prudence so that danger and negative consequences are avoided (12). Then, he tells his children to be certain to get security on a debt from those to whom they are not related (13). He also encourages family members to be sensitive in expressing excitement over good fortune (14). In verses 15 through 16, a complaining wife is revealed as being torturous and impossible to hold back. In verse 17, Solomon reveals that outside of family relationships, a person needs friends who share blunt words with each other to shave and sharpen their lives. In verse 18, Solomon reminds his sons that if his family is going to prosper, he must pay his workers well and reward loyalty.
The scribes now turn to some proverbs that are meant to help his children develop their management skills.
They are to be aware that their face reflects what is in their heart (19).
Their desire will never be satisfied (20).
The praise they hear from others is a purity test (21).
Once a person is committed to foolishness, no matter how low you bring them, they will never get to the end of their rope (22).
Finally, Solomon gets to the real matter at hand: above all, take care, manage well, and do not neglect what makes you a living. You can't be sure of an inheritance or retirement, so care diligently for what supplies your living (23-27).