A Time to Hide

For Friday, November 30, 2007
Proverbs 27:12

The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.

This proverb is similar to a common one we know: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. What may be taken as bravado or perseverance may in truth be mere folly. God may call us to risk danger; he may call us to persevere through trial. But that is far different from entering into dangerous trials out of our own folly. Many, if not most, of our trials are brought on because of our own doing.

We may be lazy and not prepare properly for the task before us. We may be simple and not discern the consequences of what we do. We may be wicked and let our desires overrule what is proper. We may be prideful and prefer suffering if we think we keep our independence and pride. We walk into danger unnecessarily and wrongfully. We ought to suffer for such foolishness.

The truth is that hiding is sometimes the appropriate response to danger. We should hide from temptation when possible. We should hide from whatever temptation strikes us at our weakness - be it pornography or alcohol or whatever we easily are addicted to. We should hide from needless confrontations that draw out our anger. We should count the cost of venturing forth in a risky venture. It is not shameful to admit our limits and our weaknesses.

The shame comes in acting as a Peter and boasting of bravery that we do not have. There is no shame in confessing our frailty and casting our security on God to provide, which includes turning to others to accomplish what we cannot. Hiding from responsibility is shameful; hiding so that we can carry out our responsibility is honorable. There is a time to hide and a time to step forward into danger. It takes godly discernment to know what is needed. Seek such discernment.

The Wise Son

For Thursday, November 29, 2007
Proverbs 27:11

Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
that I may answer him who reproaches me.

This proverb may be regarded as a transitional verse. Similar ones appear throughout the book indicating a change in subject. But taken by itself, it impresses upon us that our acting in wisdom or in folly impacts more than ourselves. The parent does, and must, care about the behavior of the child, regardless of age. The teacher should care whether his teaching is making a diffence in the lives of his students. And so the mentor for his disciple, the craftsman for his apprentice. Solomon is not writing and collecting proverbs as a hobby. He intends for them "to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth" (1:4). It matters, then, if youth do learn knowledge and discretion.

Think of a case in which God was questioned about the behavior of a "son" - that of Job. Satan "reproached" God, saying that Job only lived a righteous life because of the good he received. God allowed Job to be put to the test in order to answer Satan.

How well Job handled the test can be questioned, but there is a better story, the story of God's Only Begotten Son. He also was put to the test. He proved himself wise through his complete obedience, so that God was able to say, "With you I am well pleased." Let us be thankful for this son who was and is wise, and who will be able to answer for us on the day of judgment when our accuser comes with his reproaches.

The Nearby Friend

For Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Proverbs 27:10

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.

This proverb is not denigrating the value of family relations. But it is promoting the value of friendship, especially of friends who are with us. How guilty are we of bemoaning that we are far from family or old friends, all the while ignoring or discounting the friends God has placed around us? How guilty are we of keeping our neighbors at a distance?

But when immediate needs arise, when a calamity occurs, we will find it so much better to have a friend who is next door to aid us, than to depend upon a relative or friend who is far away. Let those who are near to you physically become those who are near to you relationally. Develop those friendships. Assume that God has placed you where you are to be a friend to those who are near. Perhaps your neighbor needs a good friend.

Sweet Counsel

For Monday, November 26, 2007
Proverbs 27:9

Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

There seems no solution to your problem. You stay awake with worry. Life could not be worse. Then a friend appears. You share your trouble. He provides an insight into the problem that you had not seen. Yes, that's it! How wonderful is his counsel!

You are embarking on a new venture. It seems a bit risky, but you are excited about the potential. Everything seems to be falling into place. You share your plans with your friend. He reminds you of a weakness you have that would lead to trouble. It is hard to receive but as you consider what he says, you realize that he has saved you from disaster. How good it is to have such a friends.

The scenarios vary, but the lesson is the same. The counsel of a friend who is wise and truly loves you, of a friend who is godly is real pleasure. The counsel itself is good because it is true, but receiving it from a friend who gives it out of earnestness, because he feels love for you - that gives the counsel its sweet aroma. For you leave not only wiser, but having felt loved. That is good friendship.