Thursday's Thought

Proverbs 27:17

 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Good morning, one and all!

So happy you stopped by as we continue Perusing the Proverbs, on this Day 27, Chapter 27. As usual, here on my thoughts for each verse:

1- Solomon gave wise counsel in saying that we should not boast of tomorrow. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus said, "Take no thought for the morrow." Live for today and, even though we do not know what tomorrow holds, we do know WHO holds tomorrow!

2- It is best to let someone else give us compliments rather than bragging on ourselves. Let praise about us come from another, and not from our own lips.

3- A stone is heavy and so is sand, but a fool's wrath outweighs them both.

4- Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but, have you ever dealt with a jealous person??? 

5- To be openly rebuked is better than secret love.

6- A wounds friends are faithful; they help. But, the kisses of an enemy are no help; they are deceitful.

7- If you're full, you do not even want honey, but when someone is hungry, everything (even the bitter) is sweet.

8- A bird straying from its nest and a man straying from home are alike.

9- Ointment and perfume make the heart glad; so does good counsel from a friend.

10- Don't forsake your friend nor your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of calamity. It is better to have a neighbor who is near than a brother who is afar off.

11- Quite a few times we've read the words "my son" during our trek through Proverbs. In this verse, instruction is given to the son to make the father glad.

12- A wise or discerning man foresees trouble and hides from it, but the simple keep going and end up being punished. (see also Proverbs 22:3)

13- Take a man's garment if he is surety for a stranger; hold it if he has made a pledge with a strange woman. (see also Proverbs 20:16)

14- It would appear that one shouldn't greet his neighbor early in the morning with a loud voice if he doesn't want to be cursed.

15-16 - The drip-drop sound you hear on a rainy day is much like an argumentative woman. If you hide such a woman, it's like hiding the wind, or trying to hold oil in your hand (quite a word picture right there).

17- Iron sharpens iron, and one man can help sharpen another.

18- I feel that this verse is two-fold in meaning. In the natural, if you take care of your fig tree, you will enjoy its fruit. If you wait on your master, you'll be honored. Spiritually speaking, if we take care of our souls, we will enjoy the fruit of it; and to wait on the Lord, as in serving Him, will bring the greatest honor ever!

19- Water reflects a man's face; a man's heart reflects the true man.

20- Hell and destruction never get full; men (and women) are never satisfied; always wanting more.

21- The fining pot is for silver; the furnace for gold. A man is tested by his praise.

22- Here is another word picture - If you put a fool in a bowl of wheat and you pound on him with a pestle (a tool used for grinding spices), you will never get the foolishness out of him.

23- Another verse that is two-fold in meaning - In the natural, those who possess flocks and herds should take care of them. In the spiritual, a good pastor takes care of the flocks which God has placed under his care.

24- Riches don't last forever; does a crown continue on to every generation?

25-27 - These last three verses seem to speak to me of God's provision. The hay appears, the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the field are gathered. The lambs are there which provide wool for clothing; the goats are the price of a field. "And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens." God will take care of us!!!

I hope you're enjoying our walk through Proverbs. May your day be greatly blessed and, Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow!