Proverbs – Day 27
Scripture: Proverbs 27
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
an outsider, and not your own lips.
Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
Like a bird that flees its nest
is anyone who flees from home.
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice.
Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and whoever protects their master will be honored.
As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.
Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are human eyes.
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but people are tested by their praise.
Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding them like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove their folly from them.
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds;
for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
and to nourish your female servants.
Devotional:
In the modern, connected world, web-based social networks have redefined the word “friend”. Users can have hundreds, if not thousands, of “friends” with whom they share the details of their lives. But are we sacrificing quality for quantity? In 1993, Robin Dunbar, an Oxford anthropologist, published research in which he posited that stable social relationships – those in which individuals actually know one another – are limited to about 150 people (this has since been dubbed “Dunbar’s number”). Too many in a social network and the coordination and communication in the group begins to break down. It’s no wonder, then, that other research shows that while we have more social connections, we feel less connected and known.
Choosing your friends can have a big impact on your life and other choices you make, so it makes sense that “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov 12:26) “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov 13:20) One example of how friends influence each other’s decisions and lifestyles are the studies that show that people who are overweight tend to have mostly overweight friends. On the other hand, having wise friends will help you make wise decisions.
One way friends do this is by giving you honest feedback. “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (v. 5-6) Friends who confront you about ways you are hurting them (or others) are doing you a favor; it may hurt, but it’s in your best interest to listen and accept their rebuke. “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.” (v. 9) Those who prefer “yes men” over honest feedback make foolish decisions. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (v. 17). A good friend will help form you into the person God wants you to be just as the blacksmith’s iron hammer pounds the hot iron rod into a shape that will make it useful.
Another positive influence friends can have is supporting you in a time of need. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov 18:24) In Mark 2, we read the story of a paralyzed man whose friends went above and beyond for him. After their attempt to get him an audience with Jesus fails, they climb up to the roof, open up a hole, and lower him down into the middle of the crowded room. Talk about going the extra mile! Seeing the faith of his friends, Jesus heals the man and renews his faith.
Living a life of wisdom also means avoiding making friends with some people. “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Prov 22:24-25) “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways” (Prov 2:12-13). Choosing who to friend takes wisdom as does learning how to be a good friend to others.
Key Verses:
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” ~ Proverbs 27:5-6
Question:
- If someone were to describe you by describing your friends, what would they say?
