 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. 7 One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. 8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. 9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. 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. 15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; 16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one's right hand. 17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. 18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored. 19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. 20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man. 21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. 22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, 24 for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? 25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, 26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. 27 There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. Meditation The gospel of Jesus Christ creates a primary community marked by authentic relationships that point to Jesus. Wisdom compels Christians to love one another in the light so we may look more like Jesus Christ. Fruitful friendship comes when gospel security is strong enough in your heart to share truth in love with friends (Ephesians 4). “Hidden love” (5) is not telling someone they have broccoli in their teeth, holding back the truth someone needs to hear rather than sharing truth in love. “Better is an open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (5-6). Fruitful friendship is more than candor, marked by consideration of time and tone (14) when offering council (17). As you share life together, the heart of love for your friend is reflected in your face (19). Love in truth intentionally sharpens friendship in sanctification, seeking to look more like Jesus in life, leadership, and love. Wisdom directs believers to be intentional in our response to the gospel, seeking to apply God’s word with skill in an effort to imitate God as His beloved children (Ephesians 5:1-2). As a redeemed family marked by authentic relationships, we know our steps in sanctification are not in isolation. Christians need one another in our study of Scripture and application of truth. Christian love must not remain hidden. Christian love in friendship will be fruitful when it puts truth in the light (1 John 1:7-10). Richly Dwelling -Why is it difficult to embrace wisdoms direction for fruitful friendship, sharing truth in love? -Do you have friends who sharpen you for Christ-like fruitfulness? If not, where can you deepen gospel security by being more intentional in relationship with others? -The gospel frees us to live in the light, nothing to hide or prove. God is light, and when we put truth in the light, we will be free to find fruitfulness in our love and life together. Are you afraid of the light? Ask the Spirit to deepen your understanding of Christ’s work so you can cultivate more fruitful relationships. Key Verse 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend… 17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Comments are closed.
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