Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl Proverbs 27:10-14 Dealing With People, Part 2

Friday, September 8, 2023

Proverbs 27:10–14

[10] Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,

and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity.

Better is a neighbor who is near

than a brother who is far away.

[11] Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,

that I may answer him who reproaches me.

[12] The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

but the simple go on and suffer for it.

[13] Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.

[14] Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,

rising early in the morning,

will be counted as cursing. (ESV)

Dealing With People, Part 2

v.10 The three-line proverb is unusual, and we have two in today's meditation. In this verse, the first line counsels the wise to be loyal to friends, especially family friends. Next, we are advised not to impose on family by default every time we have a crisis. Third, combining these two thoughts, a close friend is better than a distant family member. This may refer not only to physical proximity but to the closeness of the relationship.

v.11 This verse is an address from a Wise father to a son whom he wishes to also be Wise. The father will rejoice when his son becomes Wise because he will have an answer ready for those who question his abilities in his vocation as a father or would otherwise criticize his having a foolish son.

v.12 A prudent person has the foresight to see trouble on the horizon and avoid it. The gullible person does not have the Wisdom to guide himself away from such situations. They fall into sin and pay the price (Romans 6:23).

v.13 Compare with Proverbs 20:16. The Wise hold people to the promises they have made, particularly when there is a high risk they may default.

v.14 If one is in a bad mood or is not prepared for a blessing or compliment, one may not receive it in the manner in which it was intended. Likewise, a loud or forced greeting may be received as a curse rather than a blessing.