We continue a collection of proverbs that were probably arranged by Hezekiah.
Proverbs 27:1, Tomorrow
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Life is complicated and many things can happen. Boasting about success always runs some risks. In the New Testament, James expounds on this (James 4:13-16.) See also Matthew 6:25-34 from the Sermon on the Mount by the Messiah.
Proverbs 27:2, Let others praise you
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.
My mother would remind her somewhat precocious children of this. It is easy, especially in middle school, to want to claim greatness. That tendency never quite goes away.
Proverbs 27:3, Provocation
Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.
While desiring that others praise you (see verse 2), it is easy to be provoked by the boastings of a fool. Put down that heavy burden and walk away.a
Proverbs 27:4, Hot jealousy
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
Jealousy, like erotic love, burns hot. (See Proverbs 6:32-35.) Learn to control fury and then step up one more layer and learn to truly control jealousy.
There is a certain theme in these first four verses, something about boasting and envy.
Alter describes the style of verses 3 and 4 as "riddle form", a style that runs throughout chapter 25.
Proverbs 27:5-6, Constructive criticism
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Criticism (legitimate constructive criticism) is better than "love" that is silent and invisible. A true friend will occasionally give good critical advice while an enemy may only give empty praise, flattery, excessive kisses.
Proverbs 27:7, Sated
He who is full loathes honey,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
This seems to primarily be an observation -- when you are full, no food is interesting; when you are hungry, everything looks good. "Don't go grocery shopping when you are hungry" is a modern application.
Proverbs 27:8-11, Family and friends
Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man who strays from his home.
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.
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.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
It is good to be at home, safe and secure, in a place where one is warmly welcomed and there are familiar smells. If family is far away, it is important to have a good neighbor for emergencies.
Proverbs 27:12, See the danger!
The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
This is a version of 22:3, a warning about the dangers that the wise recognize and avoid while the fool blasts on ahead into danger.
Proverbs 27:13, Foolish pledges or security
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
This is similar to ... Please don't wish me "Good morning!", particularly not in a loud voice, until I've sat for a few moments with my morning coffee! I know you mean the best but that is not how I receive it!
Proverbs 27:15-16, Constant dripping
A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;
restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
We expand on an earlier proverb (19:13.) A quarrelsome wife is the constant dripping noise on a rainy day. She is impossible to reign in from her nagging. Solomon or Hezekiah (and possibly other rulers who collected proverbs) had numerous wives and concubines. Apparently that did not lead to a life of peace.
Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpens iron
As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
This famous proverb probably describes the constructive improvement created by a good friendship. In that light, it echoes verses 5 and 6. Alter suggests that the Hebrew word chadad, "keen" or "sharp" might imply that magnetized iron would cling to magnetized iron, like two friends should cling to each other.
Proverbs 27:18, Trusty worker
He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and he who looks after his master will be honored.
This is simple praise of the worker who can be trusted to complete his tasks.
Proverbs 27:19, Water and faces
As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man.
The Hebrew is unclear, as is the translation and interpretation. One suggested interpretation is that just as one can see one's face in the water, so can one tell a man's heart by his face. Another interpretation, almost opposite of that, emphasizes that in the ANE there were no mirrors. When one looked in the water, their image was distorted. Similarly, a man's face or reaction do not accurately reveal his heart. I lean toward the second interpretation.
Proverbs 27:20, Sheol and Perdition
Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man.
Sheol and Perdition are always seeking more bodies, says the culture of the ANE. In such a way, men are never satisfied, always greedy.
Proverbs 27:21, Praise is a crucible
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but man is tested by the praise he receives.
To really test an individual, see how they react to praise. Verse 2, above, would make it clear that that praise should come from others. The next test is how they handle that external praise. Does it change them?
Kidner points out a vivid example from the life of David and Saul. The excited chants of women in 1 Samuel 18:7 tested both men and led to years of conflict.
Proverbs 27:22, No hope
Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding him like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove his folly from him.
This depressing proverb says there is really no hope in changing a fool. So quit trying. (A good guide to social media posts....)
Proverbs 27:23-27, Take care of your flocks and crops
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds;
for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you
and your family and to nourish your servant girls.
In an agricultural society, a wise person paid attention to their animals and the grass and hay required to feed them. This required a long term view, looking thoughtfully through the calendar year, leaning on the various seasonal gifts given by God.
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