Proverbs 27

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As we begin a new year, we’ll be studying the book of Proverbs for the first 31 days of the year. The new year is a great opportunity to invite your friends, families, and Life Groups to read along with you in 2023. If you missed the first day’s reading or are looking for an overview of the book, click here to catch up!

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Read Proverbs 27

27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.
Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.
Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?
Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.
One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
Like a bird that flees its nest
    is anyone who flees from home.
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.
10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse.
15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
    or grasping oil with the hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.
18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and whoever protects their master will be honored.
19 As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart.
20 Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
    and neither are human eyes.
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
    but people are tested by their praise.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
    grinding them like grain with a pestle,
    you will not remove their folly from them.
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
    give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,
    and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
    and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
    and to nourish your female servants.

Go Deeper

Proverbs 27 references the sin of pride, the value of Biblical friendships, and good stewardship.

This chapter begins with a famous warning about the uncertainties of life, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” (v. 1). Solomon cautions us not to assume anything about tomorrow. Only God is sovereign and in complete control, and only He knows what will happen this day and the next. He knows the future because He’s already there. Each time we try and boast about the future as if we’re in control, it’s a sign that we want to play the role of God in our own lives. 

In verse 6, Solomon talks about the importance of surrounding yourself with fellow believers and why it is crucial for our own spiritual growth. This world has many distractions and oftentimes there are people who distract us from God’s best. We value their opinions, their love, and their acceptance. We must remember to not live for the approval of others because their approval is fleeting. If we go throughout this world seeking the approval of everyone else, we’ll be forever imprisoned by needing to gain or maintain their affirmation. God has called us to something higher, which is why surrounding yourself with a community of believers is crucial. Verse 6 says,  “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” When someone loves you and they deliver a measured and purposeful rebuke, their aim is to serve you well. An enemy will lie, manipulate, and distract you from God’s desires over your life. Therefore, it is important to be aware of who you have invited into your life to righteously counsel you. Wise counsel will help us seek God’s best over our lives by looking at all sides of issues from a Biblical perspective.

In verses 23-27 it’s important to remember that riches can come and riches can go. Wealth is fleeting. Those who have faithfully tended to the little things day after day will find that they have what they need in times of trouble. Always remember spiritual fruit is often the result of daily investments made rather than one big accomplishment or event.

To summarize, in this broken world there are many distractions that can take our eyes away from what truly matters. Proverbs 27 helps us distinguish between what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad, and what matters most and what does not matter at all. God’s approval of us in Christ is immovable. It’s constant, it doesn’t change and it’s the only thing that lasts forever.

Questions

  1. Is it hard for you to remember God has complete control over your life? If so, discuss with your Life Group why that is so hard to remember at times.
  2. Who have you invited into your life to righteously counsel you? Do you trust their counsel? Other than Jesus Christ, being surrounded by a community of true believers is the best gift God has given to all of us.
  3. What are you doing today to invest in your spiritual growth that you can lean on in times of trouble?

Pray This

Proverbs 27 calls us to surround ourselves with wise counsel. Verse 17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Pray and ask God to surround you with a group of believers who will sharpen you! If you’re already in a Life Group, set aside some time today to pray for them individually by name. Pray for your next meeting together. They will be the most influential people God has given you.

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2 thoughts on “Proverbs 27”

  1. Some of the most influential people in our lives are our Life Group members. They treasure God’s word, invest in training themselves and others in righteousness, serve others generously, are devoted to prayer, provide accountability and a deep level of friendship. They steady us in times of uncertainty and constantly stir our affections for Jesus. My heart wells up with the deepest gratitude for them. If this is missing in your life, please make it a priority to seek help in finding a group to invest in. “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend”(v17).

  2. My person who is very wise for her young years happens to be my daughter. She is such an amazing woman of God that has wisdom beyond “her years”. I am so thankful for her many times over, for her prayers, her growing in God, and such an amazing mom to boot. She loves her husband mightily and he is also a wonderful man of God growing by leaps and bounds (I am so incredibly thankful for him as well). But when I need sharpened she is my iron. Our life group is wonderful too and I do turn to those women and lean on them. I am thankful grateful, and blessed beyond measure for my world of spiritual believers that surround me in this season.

    God thank You for wonderful people that are in my life that speak to me about You and always bring me back to Your word. Thank You for blessing them abundantly above all they can ask or think. Thank You for wisdom that I do not speak hastily but stop, ask questions , listen, listen to You and listen some more. God I depend on You!!! I desire to abide in You!!! Thank You for a wonderful church family and community in Jesus name amen.
    WOOHOO!!!!!

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