Proverbs Study – Lesson 38 (Proverbs chapter 27:1-8)
V. 1 We make our plans. We take our steps to get there looking forward to the day when our plans become reality. There are very few things in this world that we can do or get without making plans. We plan to own a home…get a better job…have a family…spend time with our loved ones…take that trip…share the Gospel with our friend…help out…do more for God…with God…take more time for the things that matter. And yet…tomorrow is not a guarantee. Things happen in life...Unexpected things…Things that were not planned for…Things that make a difference. Hopes changed. Opportunities lost. Plans vaporized…In an instant…In a day…making tomorrow completely different than we had planned.
The interesting thing is the Book of Proverbs is very much about planning and receiving the blessing tomorrow…in the future. It has a lot to say about being diligent, consistent and faithful over time to receive the blessing of days and effort invested. He tells us to ‘Pay our dues’ and get the benefit. It has a lot to say about those who take shortcuts, wasting time on get rich quick schemes and investing in temporal pleasures. Solomon specifically tells us in verses like Prov. 24:27 to prepare and lay the groundwork outside in the field before we begin to build our house…planning on tomorrow…counting on it being there and then he lays a proverb on us like this.
But…Solomon was wise enough to know that things happen. Life does not always go as planned. People change, things come up, Details…priorities, likes…interests…desires morph into something totally different. What we are planning for and have invested so much time in doesn’t matter as much as it did. We turn around and those we planned to be with are not there anymore. They have moved away or have passed from this life.
In this verse Solomon is definitely not telling us that plans and planning for tomorrow are wrong. But, he uses a significant word in the beginning of this verse. He says that we are not to ‘boast’ ourselves of tomorrow which has as its basis ‘pride´ and assurance that if we work our plan and take the steps that we will for sure be able to do and get what we have planned whether God is part of the plan or not. He tells us that so often we get it wrong in life. We tend to hold onto the plan and trust in it instead of the One that put the principals in place that makes the plan work.
When we study and apply the Book of Proverbs it is a good idea to give consideration to the entirety of Solomon’s admonition and message, not picking and choosing parts we like and missing the bigger picture that he creates for us. In addition to his instruction to plan he reminds us that there is some One else behind his instruction that makes these things work and that our focus and trust should be in Him and His ability to establish our plans, our world and our universe. He tells us in Prov. 16:9 that we devise our direction and steps, but it is God who directs our way and outcome. We prepare, but the end outcome is ultimately up to the One that we should be following.
V. 2 Self exaltation is hard to resist. We are taught and told to ‘believe in ourselves and our abilities’ and it is hard not to blow our own horn. It is only natural to want to be recognized for those things we do well and we are told and it carries a certain amount of logic that if we do not let others know what we are capable of that they will miss out on their benefiting from our gifts and talents. However, just as in the last verse, we are admonished to rest in the unseen presence of God and those who have benefited before from our help in the past to establish our reputation for us. This is a hard principle to exercise. In blowing our own horn our motive may not be all prideful, but…our view can and often is definitely skewed and can at times be a little exaggerated.
However, it is much more beneficial and practical to be recognized for our deeds than for our words only. When seeking out help from someone that has the gift that I am in need of it carries much more weight if others tell you that they are the one that you need. Words like ‘I heard that this person is good at that’ are helpful to know you are on the right track. However, what even carries more weight than what someone heard about someone is someone that had an actual experience with the person and the talent or gift that you seek saying that they really are what you need and in fact that that person excels in what you are looking for. James tells us the importance of actions carrying more weight than mere words in Js. 3:14-8. This verse tells us that we should work harder at establishing our reputation by what we do letting others testify of our capabilities than telling everyone about ourselves.
V. 3 A fool’s wrath is hard to bear. A fool cannot be reasoned with and because of this does not know when to quit. They are apt to say and do anything when they get mad at you…how embarrassing. You want to just hide. A sensible person may have a gripe with you. They may even be wrong concerning the logic they hold associated with their gripe. But, at least you can talk and reason the issue out with them hopefully coming to some kind of agreement or solution. But, a fool has neither rhyme nor reason often acting on emotions never knowing where they are going with their issue or what their real motive is. It could morph into something totally different than what it began. Stones are heavy. Sand is hard to lift and move. But, bearing the brunt of a fool’s wrath is a weight that is hard to bear.
V.4 There are some strong emotional forces that drive people to actions that are hard to deal with, but none can beat jealousy or envy. When you wrong someone or are perceived to have wronged someone you can expect revenge or retaliation. However, you can usually almost predict the level of revenge that will come back in your direction being payback plus a little bit extra. When it comes to anger you can usually prepare realizing the source factoring in the situation. But, envy and jealousy is impossible to predict. It does strange things to an individual. Envy and jealousy starts running around inside someone going down roads of emotion and skewed logic that come out in words or actions that defy logic. Jealousy transports a person into the ‘Twilight Zone’ morphing them into some alien being capable of initiating devious and destructive actions beyond their control. This may sound cute or funny, but there is nothing funny about it. We need to be on guard with this one. When we let this monster in we will end up in a place that will even surprise us wishing we had never opened that door.
V. 5-6 Few of us want to confront others about an issue or situation. We do not want to hurt their feelings or are not willing to invest the effort to finish the conversation that we started. If done right telling someone the truth isn’t just dropping the bomb of reality on them. It is telling them what they need to hear and then not rushing away, but waiting to see how you can help support them in the new reality. This is not the person that claims to be blatantly honest. That person usually has a false sense of truth and although may be right at times has a judgmental spirit meant to be used to make them feel righteous or good. The person talked about here is really a friend that sees a problem in someone that they love or admire…someone they care about and is kind enough to help being willing to receive their initial response in return. Secret love does nothing but make the person who has it feel good. Open rebuke takes a risk of losing or damaging a friendship helping someone you love that truly has a need that they are not aware of. V. 6 goes on to say that such action and perspective is truly the markings of a friend. A true friend is willing to carry the pain of another. This verse makes the point that sometimes friendship isn’t marked by fanfare and flashing lights or loud gestures that attract attention. In fact an enemy in public can look and acts like a good friend by their actions when in reality they hate or despise you. A true friend may not be able to always demonstrate how they feel because of the circumstances, but they are the first one to be there with real help. This verse reminds us to be careful to realize who your real friends are being sure to appreciate them and cherish their presence in your life. Knowing who your true friends are can help you receive a rebuke or admonishment that you truly may need to hear.
V. 7 It is not a good thing to have too much. Having excess can often make us ungrateful and unappreciative of God’s provisions and His blessings. It is a good thing to experience want or to be without. We strive for things. We live in a world that seems to provide them for us. Like honey, having them at first it makes us feel good. We get fat. Now we do things not for necessity and not even for pleasure, but for expectation or want…greed. Things become loathsome. He uses the example of honey which at first tastes real good, but eventually it becomes loathsome and interestingly enough grievous. Being so you think that we would stop eating honey, but often if it is available we continue being grieved even more. Solomon reminds us that it is not a bad thing to be without and be in need or want. Being thirsty and receiving a drink or hungry and then getting a good meal can remind us of the constant blessings that are showered upon us every day. It may be wise if we have things in abundance to choose hunger or thirst or to do without. There is a strange sort of pleasure in denial. The pleasure is not the denial itself, but is really in the thankful spirit that comes from doing so.
V. 8 There is a certain amount of safety and practically in being where you should be. Solomon in his proverbs warns frequently about being wayward and venturing into places that one should not go. Doing so can bring up opportunities and offers that when evaluated would be better left alone. There is a benefit to right living. Part of it is being where you should be. He uses the example of a bird who strays too far from their safer territory like the nest. Going too far out of the safe zone one can end up before they realize it in situations that can be dangerous and if they live to tell about it they will regret. Some translations translate this verse as to knowing yourself and your abilities and then staying in ‘the zone’ not trying to be someone that you are not. In doing so, you focus your efforts and maximize your time on things that matter and are going to be the most productive. However, the end of this verse seems to clearly point to the man or husband making the point that they should stay more near home as wondering can often lead to trouble.
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