I have discovered that when you get married you gain another family to relate to and (hopefully) be encouraged by. Having come from a fairly dysfunctional “blended” family, where it was a bit of “everyman for himself,” marrying Miriam opened up to me how a loving supportive family could function, particularly in difficult times. The prime example being these days when some of Miriam’s older siblings are now in their 80s and, unavoidably, having some health issues. One in particular needs quite a bit of care and support and her siblings have rallied around her.
Also, having become a follower of Jesus at 19, I discovered yet another “family” of “brothers and sisters” who have shown support and concern over the years. What a privilege to be in God’s family!
Proverbs 17:17 says:
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Nielson comments about this verse that it “points to the beauty of relationships that are characterized by the opposite of strife and folly [as mentioned in my previous Blog Post # 446] … In its simplicity, this proverb affirms the relationship of love and unselfishness between friends and brothers [sisters]. ‘At all times’ and ‘adversity’ imply that the relationship will be tested but will endure strong under pressure of hardship. It’s a proverb that calmly stands out in the midst of the strife filling much of this chapter – even strife that sometimes separates close friends (v. 9).” (# 55)
Not only do we need this type of “a friend” and this type of “a brother” in our family lives, but our world in these uncertain and tumultuous days needs such friends and brothers, especially when we see so much strife happening, even amongst so-called “allies”.
So, what kind of people are these “friends” and “brothers”?
Proverbs 17 gives us a few characteristics:
A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool. (v. 10)
They are people of wisdom and understanding and who are teachable even when given a rebuke that is justified.
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (v. 22)
They are people with a joyful heart that is good medicine, “presumably both for that person and for those around him [her].” (# 55)
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. (v. 27)
They are people “of knowledge and understanding who restrain their words and their spirit.” (# 55)
Blessed is the man or woman that has such brothers and sisters and friends in their lives!
But there is One even greater that even these ones.
Proverbs 18:24 prepares us for this One when it says:
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
That One is Jesus who said:
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:12-17)
And in the words of John:
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
Jesus also said:
“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. (John 14:15-17)
Friends, brothers, sisters and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No wonder Peter said:
3 His divine power has given us everything [and everyone] we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3)
Thanks be to God!
Worship and Wisdom - Psalms and Proverbs 