Wounds and Kisses in 'Opposite World'

Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
--Proverbs 27:6

How would you explain this proverb to a child? It seems to be from a kind of 'opposite world.' Friends would not hurt each other; enemies do not kiss.

Two New Testament events provide visual examples for this verse.

First, the Apostle Paul opposed the Apostle Peter (Cephas) on one occasion when they were in the city of Antioch. Peter and some other Jewish Christians stood apart from the Gentile Christians and made a distinction. Paul explained that Peter “stood condemned.” He rebuked him openly because of his hypocrisy. (Read about this event in Galatians 2:11-14.)

Though public opposition is never pleasant, Paul acted in the best interest of Peter and others who joined in his hypocrisy. Peter’s soul was in danger and Paul came to his aid, through rebuke.

Near the end of the New Testament are two short books authored by the Apostle Peter. They were most likely written after the occasion in Antioch. So, it is apparent the Peter did not continue in his hypocrisy. The wounds of his fellow Christian were beneficial.

On the surface it probably appeared that Paul was against Peter. Yet, he acted as a friend to Peter by correcting him. Even though it was open rebuke, unpleasant to Peter, and most likely embarrassing, the wounds of the friend proved to be faithful.

The later half of the proverb is well illustrated by the Apostle Judas. Not often is the title 'Apostle' used with Judas. The reason, no doubt, is because we remember Judas for his actions as a traitor to Jesus. His final act of deceit was that of identifying Jesus by a kiss. This had been planned earlier so the soldiers would know with certainty which man to arrest.

In general, people refrain from outward signs of affection toward those they don't get along with. And that is especially true when it comes to enemies!

A kiss is a sign of acceptance and affection. It is reserved for family and close friends. Even when a kiss is a part of a greeting (as in some foreign countries), it symbolizes some level of acceptance.

If you were alone with an enemy would you kiss him/her?

Of course not!

So, why, then, would a person kiss an enemy?

Solomon cut through to reality: the kiss of an enemy must be understood to be deceitful. The kiss is for show; it mocks reality in hopes of fooling those who may be watching. The kiss presents one impression while the truth is cleverly hidden by the false affection.

So, what can we learn from this proverb and these New Testament examples?

• We live in a society that loves and expects tolerance; that preaches that you should never hurt anyone. However, if a friend's soul is in danger, you will be a faithful friend if you point out their error, even if it means that you wound them in some way. So, be the friend who is loyal to the point of wounding another to save them.
• If you are wounded by a friend, accept the pain of the correction. It is for your good. Count your friend as a true and loyal friend who was willing to risk your friendship for your benefit.
• Finally, never use affection as a smoke screen to deceive others...
• But be aware that others do.

Be wise.

Something You Should Know about Your Appetite

Have you ever been to a restaurant, then, after eating, exited and smelled the delicious offerings of a neighboring restaurant? As good as it smells, you had absolutely no desire to go there to eat. There was no temptation, even if it was your favorite. You had already eaten; you were full.

On the other extreme, have you ever had a long day of physical labor, or perhaps missed a meal or two. You were 'caving in' with hunger; starving. You were ready to eat the first edible thing you could find and it was SOOOO tasty.

These two thoughts set the stage for a wonderful nugget of wisdom:

   A sated man loathes honey, 
   But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.
   --Proverbs 27:7

The word ‘sated’ means full or satisfied.
The word ‘loathed’ is translated from a Hebrew words that literally means, to tread down or trample.

Do you see the picture being presented in this proverb?
A person tramples over sweet honey with no interest. Why? He is full. Even though honey is delightful to the taste and nourishing to the body it is perceived as ordinary and undesirable. In great contrast, the starving man eats something bitter and perceives it to be sweet.

What is the value of this proverb?
Mere observation?

Consider...
The satisfied man tramples the honey as undesirable, yet, what is the reality?
The famished man will eat bitter things as if sweet, yet what is the reality?

Circumstances do not change the reality of the sweet honey or the reality of the bitter thing. So, we could at least conclude that taste buds are not accurate in determining the true value of something.

Now, let’s extend this example. What about other areas of life that are subject to taste?

We have ‘likes and dislikes’ in many areas: clothing, cars, houses, decorations, personality types, physical beauty, recreation, entertainment, and so on. We must understand that our ‘tastes’ are not accurate in determining the real value of things. 'Modern' does not make it a good house. 'Cute' does not make him a good boyfriend. 'Red' does not make it a good car. 'Stunning' does not make it appropriate clothing. 'Funny' does not make it a good sitcom or a good joke to repeat.

God’s divine instruction gives us insight into that which is truly good and valuable in life.

• If we are saturated with the things of this life, we just might regard the truth of God's instruction as ordinary and pass it off as unimportant.
• If we are so famished with regard to spiritual things, we are likely to accept the next teaching that comes along, whether it is from the mind of man or the mind of God. It will seem sweet and acceptable.

We need a steady diet of God's word so that we will be able to discern what is good and what is useless.

Be wise.
Be filled with God’s instruction.

What Do You Have Planned for Tomorrow...?

One spring my wife and I decided to take the day (a Monday) and head to the Botanical Gardens. There was always something new in bloom. We planned to head out as soon as the kids were off to school, spend the morning at the gardens, and then have lunch together. We made our plan on Saturday.

We spent Sunday night in the ER with one of our daughters due to abdominal pain. Everything turned out OK, but we didn’t get to bed until 2:00 a.m. (Ugh. Adjust plans for Monday.)

We all have our own stories, some humorous, some serious, some sad. Unexpected circumstances and changed plans, sometimes turning our world upside down.

     Do not boast about tomorrow, 
     For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
                                                                   --Proverbs 27:1


We know that one by heart, right?
We have experienced it a hundred times, right?

We really do not need a proverb in the Bible for this one! Right?

----------------------

It is not a proverb that discourages planning. Rather, it discourages boasting...and something else.

A person who ‘boasts’ about tomorrow, is placing his confidence in a future outcome. That future outcome is based on his/her thinking and planning. That thinking and planning is confidence in oneself.

Do we understand that!?
When a person boasts about tomorrow, he is really boasting about himself.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” ¹⁴Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. ¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” ¹⁶But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. ¹⁷Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
                                                                                                    --James 4:13-17


There are many days with unforeseen circumstances that will affect the ‘tomorrows’ of life. Yet, for each one of us there will one day that will have an eternal tomorrow.
Plan wisely for that day.

Never Satisfied

   Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, 
   Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.
   --Proverbs 27:20

We get this one, no mystery: In general, people always desire more. 

Yep, that’s it. Got it. What’s next?

Wait!

The  proverb is easily understood, but why did he use Sheol and Abaddon as parallel ideas?

Sheol is a Hebrew term used for ‘the place of the dead,’ and sometimes, for ‘death’ itself. Abaddon, another Hebrew word, comes from a root word meaning ‘to perish.’ Abaddon means ‘place of destruction’ or simply, ‘destruction.’ In the Bible, Abaddon is most often paired with death. When used together, Sheol and Abaddon represent ‘death and destruction.’

Solomon personified Sheol and Abaddon by saying that they are never satisfied. It is a way of saying that there is no end to death and destruction. There will never be a time when a sign is posted outside Sheol, “No Vacancy.” Abaddon never turns anyone away. More death; more destruction. Never satisfied.

By using Sheol and Abaddon to make his point, Solomon paints a rather dark, grim scene. The reality of death and destruction is oppressive.

Once our heart is weighed heavy with the thoughts of Sheol and Abaddon; once we feel the oppressive sickness and dread of death and destruction, then we are in the right frame of mind to hear the second half of the proverb:

   Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.

It is a repulsive reality that people, in general, have little discipline, little contentment, little understanding. People are just like Sheol and Abaddon. Never satisfied.

Solomon did not merely ‘observe’ reality. He painted a repulsive picture for the purpose of communicating an oppressive truth about man...about all of us. So...

• Wisdom cries out for us to control our appetites.
• Wisdom begs that we apply discipline, use discretion.
• Wisdom pleads for contentment.

From time to time perhaps we should stop 'looking' and just close our eyes and choose to be content. Perhaps it is time to reevaluate the things we desire/pursue.

What are you chasing in life!?

What are you really lacking?
Why are you not satisfied?

Be wise.