# 477 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 27 (2). Swirling, twisting, spiralling proverbs.

Kathleen Nielson suggests that “Proverbs 27 (until the final five verses) offers one of the best examples of proverbs that swirl around us like the swirl of life!” (# 55) So, I trust you won’t get dizzy as we study this chapter!

Basically, “this chapter addresses various ordinary relationships with friends and neighbors and family, many of whom we have [already] met before in Proverbs.”  (# 55) In all these relationships humility is called for, as 27:2 says, ² Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

So, let’s check them out.

Friends:

⁶ Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

⁹ Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

“Many of these proverbs reflect the blessing of unselfish friendship.” (# 55)

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

Here we see a description of a friendship that is sincere, implying “not only a closeness but a willingness on the part of each to rebuke and to receive rebuke humbly.” (# 55)

So, how do your friendships compare with these described in Proverbs?

Neighbours:

¹⁴ If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse.

I guess the key word here being loudly! Goldsworthy suggests that this is “probably a reference to false and inappropriately timed protestations of friendship that cloak an evil intent.” (# 53)

And as verse 10 reminded us above, when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. So, a good relationship with neighbours may be very important for more than one reason.

I trust you are getting on well with your neighbours! If not, maybe it’s time for reconciliation, if possible.

Spouses:

¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
¹⁶ restraining her is like restraining the wind
    or grasping oil with the hand.

We have read earlier proverbs with the same message (which could easily fit either spouse), but here we see the quarrelsome wife in her “final appearance. She’s still like ‘a continual dripping on a rainy day’ … and it seems the dripping will never end, for to ‘restrain’ her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil in your hand.” (# 55) Not a great companion in life!

So, if you are married, how is your marriage going? Are you “captivated by her/his love”, rejoicing in “the wife/husband of your youth?” (Proverbs 5:18-19) If not, maybe it is time to stop and consider ways to enrich your relationship, returning to that “first love” and enjoying each other again. My wife and I certainly appreciate “growing old together”.

There is no doubt that we need to often work hard at all our relationships and not take people for granted. The results will be worth it. In the same way that we endeavour to take care of those we are in a relationship with, this chapter finishes with an appropriate image of a shepherd who does just this with the sheep under his care, with great results.

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 your family
    and to nourish your female servants.

The good news is that this image of the Good Shepherd is often found in the Bible depicting God in his relationship to us, his people. The best known example being Psalm 23 where we read that:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

And in the NT, we read of Jesus also taking on this name:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. (John 10:14)

For the Lamb [Jesus] at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (Revelation 7:17)

Do you know Jesus, the Good Shepherd as your Saviour and Lord?