Proverbs Chapter 27
Proverbs
Chapter 27
1. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. The universe does not present a more affecting sight than an elderly sinner with one foot in the grave, losing all in the world, and infinitely more in eternity. A moment more, and he is gone. Heaven and hell are no trifles. Tomorrow presumed upon, today neglected ruins all. Standing on the brink of the precipice, how precious is the moment for prayer, before the door of mercy is closed forever!
Has the child of God reason to boast about tomorrow? What a change this may make in your worldly circumstances or Christian experience! Never will you feel more secure than in the realization that you have no security for a single hour. Divide your cares with God. Let disappointment prepare you for your heavenly rest, and submit all your wishes and pleasures to his gracious will. Have you no need of warning? Would earthly pleasures be so highly prized if there were no secret dependence on tomorrow? Surely this thought may more than sustain in the loss of them. The shadow only is gone; the body of my happiness remains immovable. Remember that "this world is the grand laboratory for perfecting souls for the next" (Sir M. Hale).
2. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. "Praise," says an old expositor, "is a comely garment. But though you wear it yourself, someone else must put it on you, or else it will never sit well on you. Praise is sweet music, but it never sounds well when it comes from your own mouth. If it comes from another person's mouth, it is a pleasant sound to everyone who hears it. Praise is a rich treasure, but it will never make you rich unless someone else says it" (Jermin). Indeed, unless we have to vindicate our character, or unless our Master's honor is at stake, nothing so degrades a man with his fellowmen as setting out his own praise. Let another praise you. We will lose nothing by this self-renouncing spirit. If our mouth is silent, someone else will speak to praise us. Recognizing the fact that we are so far from being really humble is enough to make us deeply humble.
3-4. Jealousy is an implacable passion. Anger is stirred up by offense, jealousy by godliness, prosperity, or favor. Reason operates rather as the oil to fan the flame than the water to quench it. "Proud men would be admired by all and preferred above all; and if it be not so, a secret enmity invades their spirits and settles itself. Men cannot endure the real or reputed excellency of others. The proud creature would shine alone" (Manton).
The wise man had previously described the curse of envy's deadly poison to the man who indulges it (14:30). Here he shows its subtle and almost irresistible power on its victims. For indeed in contrast to mercy, it curses both its subjects and its object. "Like the star called wormwood, which pollutes all the rivers and springs on which it falls, it poisons all the sources and streams of human enjoyment" (Wardlaw).
But, Christian, remember, although the promise is certain that sin will not have dominion over you, yet the struggle is sharp to the end. Let us probe this corruption deeply. Men will look at grace with an envious eye. They will darken the lives that outshine their own and defame the holiness that they have no heart to follow. But "those who have true worth in themselves can never envy it in others" (Sir Philip Sidney).
5-6. Who is the friend who will be a real blessing to my soul? Is it one who will humor my fancies and flatter my vanity? Is it enough that he loves my person and would spend his time and energies in my service? This comes far short of my need. I am a poor, straying sinner with a wayward will and a blinded heart, going wrong at every step. The friend for my case is one who will watch over me with open rebuke, a reprover when necessary, not a flatterer. The genuineness of friendship without this mark is more than doubtful, its usefulness utterly paralyzed. The hidden love that does not dare to risk wounds from a friend and spares rebuke rather than inflict pain, judged by God's standard, is hatred. It is much better that the wound should be probed than covered. Rebuke— kindly, considerately, and prayerfully administered—cements friendship rather than weakens it.
The mark of true godliness is a concern to have our faults pointed out and a thankfulness to those who undertake the self-denying office. Even when given most rashly and unkindly, one of the meekest of men could say, "I was thankful to God for admonishing me, and my gratitude to the man was, I think, unfeigned" (H. Martyn). In Martyn's journal, the reprover's name was found specially remembered in prayer. "A faithful reprover is a very great help in our Christian course. He is to be valued above the greatest treasure. He who wants to be safe," says one of the ancients, "must have a faithful friend or a bitter enemy, that he may flee from vice by the admonitions of the one or the invective of the other" (Bishop Kidder).
Who would not choose this faithful wound, however painful at the moment of infliction, rather than the multiple kisses of an enemy? The kiss of the apostate was a bitter ingredient in the Savior's cup of suffering. His foreknowledge of the treachery in no degree weakened those exquisite sensibilities, which from their intimate union with the Godhead rendered him susceptible to suffering beyond all comprehension.
Philip Henry beautifully describes the proper offices and uses of Christian reproof. "To reprove a brother is like as, when he is fallen, to help him up again; when he is wounded, to help to cure him; when he has broken a bone, to help set it; when he is out of the way, to put him in it; when he is fallen into the fire, to pluck him out; when he has contracted defilement, to help cleanse."
7. He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. This is true about the enjoyments of this life. Abundance, instead of increasing the happiness of the possessor, deprives him of that which often comes with a more scanty portion. The person whose appetite is overfed with indulgence turns with disgust from the sweetest dainties, while every bitter and distasteful thing is keenly relished by the hungry, perhaps barely saved from starvation. May not satiety be as great a curse as famine? Is it not fearfully written on many a professing Christian, he who is full loathes honey?
Far more enviable is the hungry soul, feeding on unpalatable truths— yes, welcoming even bitter dispensations as medicine for the soul's health. And is not the sweet taste of the Gospel known by its bitterness? Does not this bitterness make Christ sweet to the soul? A sinner in all his guilt, a Savior in his perfect merit and love—well does the one answer the other. Every view of Christ embitters sin. Every view of sin endears the Savior.
8. Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. Instinct teaches a bird that its nest is the only place of safety or rest. There God has provided her with special protection (Deuteronomy 22:6-7). Nothing, therefore, but danger awaits her if she strays from ... home. She is safe and happy only while she keeps her nest.
Not less senseless and dangerous is it lightly to leave the place, society, or calling that divine providence has marked out for us. Here man is "in God's precincts, and so under God's protection" (Swinnock). And if he will be content to remain in his home, God will bless him with the rich gain of godly contentment. But the man who strays from his home is "the rolling stone that gathers no moss." "He is always restless, as if he had a windmill in his head. Every new crotchet [opinion or preference] puts him into a new course" (Bishop Sanderson). His lack of fixed principles and employment exposes him to perpetual temptation. Always wanting to be something or somewhere different to what and where he is, he only changes imaginary for real troubles. To be full of wisdom is to know and to keep our place. The soul, the body, the family, society—all have a claim on us.
9. Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. We know that perfume and incense are most refreshing to the senses. Not less so is the medicine of friendship to the soul. Who does not feel the need of a brother's or sister's heart?
The pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Here his earnest counsel constitutes its excellence. It is not merely official or intelligent. It is the counsel of his soul. He puts himself in our case and counsels as he would wish to be counseled himself. The real unction and blessing of this earnest counsel will be in proportion as we are living in communion with our Lord.
10. Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Man without principle is the creature of caprice. His friendships have no warranted stability. Solomon exemplified his own rule by cultivating friendly links with Hiram, the friend of his father (1 Kings 5:1-10). The unprincipled contempt of this rule cost Solomon's foolish son his kingdom (1 Kings 12:6-19). Though other things are better when new, an old and tried friend is better.
"But if it be an indecency and uncomeliness and a very unfit thing— that is, contrary to the precept of studying whatsoever is lovely and thinking of these things—to forsake my friend and the friend of my father, how much more horrid must it be to forsake my God, and my father's God. 'My father's God shall not be my God'" (Howe).
11. Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. Christian parents take their full share of the minister's greatest joy—to see their children walk in truth (2 John 4; 3 John 4). Their hearts are full of joy because of their children's godly wisdom. We are strengthened by what flows from their wisdom and their holy prayers. And truly will we put our seal to the example of a parent thus honored and blessed. "I had rather have my house filled with my children's prayers than filled with gold."
12. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Even animal instinct is the exercise of prudence (Jeremiah 8:7). Every intelligent man acts on it. It is natural to see the evil when it comes or is close to our door. But the prudent man foresees evil coming. God is still the same unchangeable God of holiness and justice. Sin is the same abomination to him as ever. The prudent man sees the effect in the cause, the consequent in the antecedent. He will, therefore, provide himself with a shelter. We often see the Christian's patience, security, and hope. Here is his prudence, securing a refuge.
But the simple, the deliberately foolish, let things take their course. God is so merciful. All will be well at the end. But they refuse to be warned. The fooleries of the world engage their heart. All besides is forgotten. But they suffer for it. The prudent hide themselves in God. The simple rush blindfolded into hell. The ox has to be driven to destruction, but the sinner plunges into it in spite of every effort to restrain him.
13. Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman. This proverb we have had before (20:16). "What conduces [leads] to the happiness of life it is needful to inculcate again and again, to fix it deep in the mind" (Lavater). It is the perfection of Christian graces that they do not entrench on one another. Kindness loses the name of virtue when shown at the expense of prudence.
14. If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. Is it a sin to bless our neighbor? Our Lord openly acknowledged the love of his friends. And yet a man who loudly blesses and extravagantly praises brings sincerity into question. When a man exceeds all bounds of truth and decency, affecting pompous words and hyperbolical expressions, we cannot but suspect some sinister motive. Real friendship needs no such assurance. One act of love is more than many loud blessings. "There is no wise man but would rather have one promise than a thousand fair words, and one performance than ten thousand promises. For what charge is it to spend a little breath for a man to give one his word, who never intends to give him anything else?" (South).
The rule toward our friend is not to love in word but in deed and truth. The rule for ourselves is to walk before God and not before men. Let worldly things and worldly men be little in your eyes. Man's days will soon pass away. Eternity in all its substance and glory is at hand.
15-16. The figure of dripping has been given before. The time is added here, on a rainy day, shutting us up at home. There is rain inside and outside, and both are troublesome. The one stops us from going out with comfort, the other from staying at home in peace. The storm within, however, is much more pitiless. Shelter may be found from the other. But there is no shelter to be found from this dripping. The other wets only the skin; this gets through to our bones. Prudence and prayer, not blind affection, give the only security of happiness and peace.
17. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Man was framed not for solitude, but for society. It is only as a social being that his powers and affections are fully expanded. Iron sharpens iron. Steel, whetted against a knife, sharpens the edge. So in the collision of different minds each whets the edge of the other. We owe some of the most valuable discoveries of science to this active reciprocity. In the sympathies of friendship, when the mind is dull and the countenance overcast, a word from a friend renews blunted energy and exhilarates the countenance.
"The communion of saints" is an article in our Creed. But is it practically acknowledged in its high responsibility and Christian privilege? Gladly let us take up the bond of brotherhood. If a brother seems to walk alone, sharpen his iron by godly communication. Walk together in mutual concern for each other's infirmities, trials, and temptations.
18. He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Here is an encouragement to be diligent in our calling. The fig tree was a valuable product of Judea. Its cultivation was probably a profitable labor and therefore illustrated the general reward of faithfulness.
In the service of our divine Master, our happiness is in receiving his Word and studying his will. Our honor is secured by his promises.
19. As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. This proverb does not confound all in one indiscriminate mass, as if all were alike. We cannot see infancy and the maturity of age as identical. But with two persons in the same circumstances and on the same level, the parallel is most remarkable and instructive. As water reflects a face, so in another heart we see our own reflection. Human nature has suffered no change since the Fall. The picture of man's corruption is man as we see and know him now.
From this we learn to be sympathetic with the members of Christ. We share their joys and sorrows, their confidence and temptations. Self-knowledge also instructs us thus to know human nature, and to deal wisely and profitably with our fellow sinners. The practical lesson of humility and forbearance is also deeply taught.
20. Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man. Here is a striking picture of the two great devourers, Death and Destruction. Death, ever since Adam's sin, has been insatiable. It has opened its mouth to receive countless millions, and still it yawns, craving for more.
Man is always seeking for what he cannot find, satisfaction in earthly things. He toils after his object, and when he has grasped it, he continues to toil. The one who possesses abundance does not possess happiness. His best efforts only bring him a meager enjoyment not worthy of the name. The summit of ambition, when reached, is not his resting-place, but only the point from where he moves on to something higher. All the affections of fallen man are filled with unquenched thirst.
Now let me ask, have I seen God as that which alone is sufficient for my soul? Have I made the important discovery that all my uneasy cravings from morning to night arise from not seeking him as my only satisfaction? To delight in anything but him is as if we throw him from his throne. All is then misery and delusion. But delighting in him brings us heavenly comfort. Eternity will be an eternity of joy.
21. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. The most searching furnace is shown here. He who is praised is not only much approved, but much proved. The courting of the praise of our fellow creatures has to do with the world within. Praise is a sharper trial of the strength of principle than is reproach. "If a man be vain and light, he will be puffed up with it. If he be wise and solid, he will be not one whit moved therewith" (Bishop Hall). Forwardness to give our opinion, and offense if it is not taken—this is the dross brought out of the furnace. Know your need of purifying, and let the great Refiner do his perfect work.
Fearful often is the trial to a minister of Christ. When he becomes the object of popular applause, his people's idol, when men of strong impulse and weak judgment put the servant in the Master's place, then he is in the furnace. "We should feel," said the venerable Mr. Simeon in his own way, "as if our ears were stung with blasphemy when we discover any attempt to transfer the crown of glory from the head of the Redeemer to that of any of his servants." Henry Martyn continually expresses his sensitive conscience on this besetting temptation. Dr. Payson, a careful self-observer, mentions among his trials, "well-meant, but injudicious, commendations!" When praised, "God, humble me" was the prayer of one marvelously preserved in the fearful furnace.
Two rules strongly present themselves. Be careful in giving praise. Even the children of the world can discover the deadly tenacity of pride in our nature. "Do you know," remarked Madame de Steal on her deathbed, "what is the last thing to die in man? It is self-love." We cannot, therefore, do our brother greater harm than by supplying fuel for pride by unlawful praise. Therefore, until the appointed day for manifestation, it is well to judge each other, whether for good or evil, with becoming moderation. Is it merciful to expose a weak fellow sinner to the frown of a jealous God by stirring up the innate corruption of his heart?
"I do not know," said Neff, "that I ought to thank you so very warmly for what I have too much reason to fear the old man will be ready to take advantage of; his life being, you know, principally supported by praise." "Everyone here," writes Dr. Payson to his mother, "whether friends or enemies, are conspiring to ruin me. Satan, and my own heart, of course will lend a hand; and if you join too, I fear all the cold water that Christ can throw on my pride will not prevent it from breaking out into a destructive flame. As certainly as anybody flatters and caresses me, my Father has to scourge me for it, and an unspeakable mercy it is that he condescends to do it."
Be not less careful in receiving praise. While we may be repelled by extravagant flattery, yet we are apt to think it kindly meant, and it is very rare not to take unconsciously a drop of the poison. And the praise of the church is by far the most insidious poison, being so refined, so luscious. Especially when we feel it to be lawfully obtained, how hard it is to receive it with self-renouncing consecration to God. "Christian, you know that you carry gunpowder around with you. Desire those that carry fire to keep their distance. It is a dangerous crisis when a proud heart meets with flattering lips" (Flavel). Delight mainly in those works that are only under the eye of God. Value only his approbation. Always think of the love of human praise as the most deadly bane of a Christian profession, to be resisted with intense energy and perseverance.
22. Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him. The allusion is to the Eastern way of beating off the husk from the corn by grinding it with a pestle. Yet the husk sticks not so close to the grain as foolishness to the fool. The grinding of the mortar may separate the one. The other will not remove his folly despite repeated strokes. What can correction do for a fool who despises it?
Examples of this incurable hardness abound. The belief in the necessary working of affliction for our saving good is a fatal delusion. Never did it of itself bring one soul to God. In all cases it is only what God is pleased to make it. The blows may be so mighty as to make the most stupefied soul quiver with intense feeling. Still if the rock is broken, the broken pieces will retain all their natural hardness. The man may be crushed, but not humbled. He will still cling to his foolishness and ignore Christ and heaven. Was it not so, Christian, with you until omnipotent love awakened what chastisement alone could never have stirred—the cry of unreserved submission?
23-27. 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 you and your family and to nourish your servant girls. "This declares the great goodness of God toward man, and the diligence that he requires from him for the preservation of his gifts" (Reformers' Notes). This is a lively picture of the occupations, advantages, and responsibilities of rural life in olden days. It teaches that every man ought to have a business and rebukes the neglect of practical everyday duties.
This picture also exhibits the fruits of industry, far preferable to those of ambition. The comparison with those whose station places them beyond the need of labor affords no matter for envy, but much for thankfulness. The various produce of the field is all the overflowing bounty of our gracious God. How excellent is the loving-kindness of our loving Lord!