Introduction
‘Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.’ Proverbs 27:1
Tomorrow May Never Come
This verse reminds us of the limitations of human planning. We should plan but do so with the realisation of our lack of ultimate control, James 4:13-17.
‘Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.’ Proverbs 27:2
The wise person doesn’t try to build their reputation by praising themselves.
‘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?’ Proverbs 27:3-4
Nothing is harder to bear than the uncontrolled and misguided anger of a fool. The question asked here is a question which assumes there is no answer. We cannot adequately protect ourselves from anger and fury, but with the Lord’s help we can.
‘Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.’ Proverbs 27:5-6
It’s better to have a friend whose honest confrontations leave their wounds, than kisses from those who hate us. Real friendship cannot exist when a person must be constantly restrained and timed. This was how Judas betrayed Christ, Matthew 26:49. True friendship should have room for constructive criticism, Romans 12:9-10.
‘One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.’ Proverbs 27:7
The application here is far reaching. Need creates desire, while an abundance may lead to the rejection of that which is wholesome and good.
‘Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home.’ Proverbs 27:8
This is an observation on the stress and strain of moving. Leaving the familiar can be traumatic.
‘Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.’ Proverbs 27:9
Solomon is saying that friendship is better than the joy sweet perfumes brings.
‘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 neighbour nearby than a relative far away.’ Proverbs 27:10
Nearby implies near enough to help a neighbour in the day of calamity. Sometimes our friend or our father’s friend can do more for us than a relative.
‘Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.’ Proverbs 27:11
Solomon is simply saying that sometimes a teacher can answer critics by pointing to the accomplishments of their students.
‘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.’ Proverbs 27:12-13
If we are this type of person, we need to take what security we can, while we can, because even that will soon be gone, 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
‘If anyone loudly blesses their neighbour early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.’ Proverbs 27:14
This is appealing to common sense; i.e. do not call at 6 A.M.
‘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.’ Proverbs 27:15-17
Nobody likes a nag, especially when that’s all they do. We become dull without the sharpening of mind and character in study with and association with others. We need our friends but not those who constantly nag is, we need good friends so that we can run ideas and understanding by each other and so grow in our knowledge.
‘The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honoured.’ Proverbs 27:18
We make the mistake of rebuking the wrong people. We talk to those who come to church about the importance of coming to church, whilst at the same time those who don’t come to church never here those same words spoken to them, etc, 2 Timothy 2:6.
‘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.’ Proverbs 27:19-21
We begin to know ourselves through our relationships with others. This is an observation on the nature of our heart’s desire, we never have enough of anything we really want. Our character is cultivated by the praise we accept from others. Also, we are judged by what other praises us for.
Who likes receiving praise? We all do. The problem comes when that praise takes over and goes to our head.
‘Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.’ Proverbs 27:22
Even though the imagery is unclear, the message is not. It is almost impossible to remove folly from a fool.
‘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.’ Proverbs 27:23-27
The Benefits Of Taking Care Of Our ‘Equipment’
This is all about thinking ahead, preparation, not neglecting our future responsibilities. We need to work to feed our families and pay the bills, the idea is simply this, will we have enough food in the house to feed our families next week?