Think About It

Proverbs 27:1-12

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

Humans don’t know the future, nor can they control it.  It is pretty egotistical to announce we will do something in the future as a certainty.  James 4:13-16 warns, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”  It is evil to ignore God’s sovereignty in our lives. 

“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

It is difficult to give an accurate assessment of ones accomplishments because we are too emotionally invested making our bragging meaningless.  Proverbs 25:27 said, “… for men to search their own glory is not glory.”   Instead of tooting our own horn, we should let other people decide how much the things we have done are worth.  When they praise us it really means something. 

“A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.” (Proverbs 27:3)

A boulder or buckets of sand are heavy and exhausting to carry.  Dealing with the anger of someone who gets angry over every little thing is even harder.  It takes an emotional and physical toll on everyone around.  Avoid such people.   

“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (Proverbs 27:4)

Angry people do and say outrageous things, and uncontrolled anger has no concern for who it hurts, but once they have run their course there is usually a respite.  Jealousy will go just as far, but it doesn’t ever stop.

“Open rebuke is better than secret love.” (Proverbs 27:5)

You know what kind of reaction to expect from people who declare themselves, even if they openly disapprove of you or your ideas or behavior.   You constantly have to worry about accidentally offending those who don’t make their opinions known, even if they are on your side. 

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:6)

A true friend may say or do something that hurts you, but their intention is help you.  The hurt is not the goal.  When an enemy is nice to you, it is in an effort to get you to let down your guard so they can hurt you.  Don’t confuse the two. 

“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” (Proverbs 27:7)

A person who is really in need will appreciate even the slightest crumb, but the person who has enough doesn’t appreciate even the good things he is given.    A person who gripes about having to eat commodity foods isn’t really poor, for example, and doesn’t really need your help.

“As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.” (Proverbs 27:8)

A bird that leaves her nest to go somewhere else is not a dependable mother.  A person who just walks away from their responsibilities is not a dependable person. 

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.   Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.” (Proverbs 27:9-10)

Talking to a friend can make one feel relaxed and confident, just as the smell of incense or a pleasant perfume can.  Don’t walk away from your own friends or those of your parents.   Friends that are close by are more help than a brother who lives a long way off.  They can render the assistance immediately while you will have to wait for him to get there.

“My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.” (Proverbs 27:11)

Children who make wise choices make their parents proud of them and they can point to their accomplishments when people accuse them of not doing things right. 

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Proverbs 27:12)

A wise or prudent person thinks about the consequences of their actions and avoids trouble.  The thoughtless person assumes everything will turn out okay and barges ahead.  Without considering what his actions will cause.