March 16th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Mostly on Relationships

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Opening Prayer

Father, to be with You is to be at home. Thank You for the security of Your love, forgiveness, and wisdom.

Read PROVERBS 27:1-27

[1] Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. [2] Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. [3] Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both. [4] Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? [5] Better is open rebuke than hidden love. [6] Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. [7] He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. [8] Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. [9] Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. [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. [11] Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. [12] The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. [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. [14] If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. [15] A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; [16] restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. [17] As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. [18] He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. [19] As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. [20] Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man. [21] The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. [22] Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him. [23] Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; [24] for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. [25] When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, [26] the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. [27] You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy” (Jas. 3:17 MSG).

Think Further

Which of us has not felt, to some degree at least, the pain and power of jealousy (4)? Perhaps it was a sharp stab of resentment at someone else’s achievement or, more seriously, that kind of festering anger that constantly draws negative comparisons with what we perceive as the success or fluency, the beauty or popularity of others? Among the wise recommendations included here are some that can guide us along healthier paths. For instance, accept compliments gladly, there’s no need to blow your own trumpet (2). We can encourage people who have a poor self-image, and perhaps a tendency to envy, by showing a genuine and caring regard for them, which can be a means of growth (21). And if envy seems to be our own stubborn sin, we can make sure we have faithful friends who will encourage us to battle against it (5,6).

Proverbs is realistic on all things financial. The injunction of v. 13 is repeated in various forms throughout the book (Prov. 6:1-3; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; cf. Deut. 24:10-13). Eugene Peterson helpfully translates the verse: “Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; be wary of accepting what a transient has pawned.” We read this advice in the light of Jesus’ recommendations about loans: “If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you?ﾅlove your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:34,35).

The chapter closes with a beautiful little poem in praise of level-headed and thoughtful concern, both for creation and for the well-being of the most humble community members (23-27).

Apply

Read ch. 27 again and evaluate your life by its practical teaching. Confess failures and make new resolutions, especially regarding inter-personal relationships.

Closing prayer

Lord, may my life today demonstrate the beauty and power of Your love, care and wisdom. May they touch others through me.

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