Proverbs 27 Verse 17 Friends in High Places September 22, 2024

Proverbs 27 Verse 17 Friends in High Places September 22, 2024 Lesson 12 The Search for Wisdom Series Class Presentation Notes AAAA

Background Scriptures:

· Romans 12:9-13 (NASB) 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

· Proverbs 13:20 (NASB) 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

· Proverbs 17:7 (NASB) 7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

· Proverbs 27:6 (NASB) 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

· Proverbs 27:9 (NASB) 9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man's counsel is sweet to his friend.

· Hebrews 3:12-13 (NASB) 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

· Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NASB) 9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

Main Idea:

· A real friend is someone who helps me become a better person; the kind of person Jesus wants to be to us.

Study Aim:

· To understand that the ultimate hope is your friendship will demonstrate who Jesus is in your life. You proclaim Jesus by the way you relate to your friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.

Create Interest:

· I approached lesson 10, “Life or Debt”, focusing on Proverbs 22:7, My research led me to the amazing realization that the first 16 verses intertwined with the focus verse in an way that was more than instructional. The Divine inspiration planned from the beginning of time, like the rest of the Bible, God’s love story from Genesis to Revelation, was given to draw us to Him and help us on the way to become the best we can be at sharing His love with others.

· So, I find myself in a similar dilemma with this lesson picking one verse out of 27 which could corporately be labeled “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” but from the Holy Spirit’s guidance to the writer, are intertwined with the Verse 17 “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another”.

· In all ways, Jesus spent his life “sharpening” others, most especially with his disciples. This lesson, for me, is best approached in looking at Scriptures and relating to each other what they mean to us personally.

o Our job as listeners, is to learn about each person that shares and internalizes that knowledge to be a better friend to them as Jesus would have us to be.

· Could we not then apply this principle to this divisive world in which we find ourselves and make a point to truly listen as one speaks and find out just how much we have in common and build on that to bridge the divides that challenge us?

Lesson in Historical Context:

· The topic in Verse 17 shifts from false friendship back to true friendship (vv. 5–10, 14). This emblematic proverb likens the sharpening of an iron sword or tool by a whetting iron to the sharpening of a man’s wit through an authentic friend.

o Iron … with iron probably designates the smelted and worked iron from terrestrial ore that was introduced into Palestine about 1400 b.c., not the meteoric iron that was used before that. It is notable for its hardness and strength and used in many types of instruments (cf. Deut. 27:5; Josh. 17:16; Jdgs. 1:19).

o Here the genus “iron” is used for the species. The first “iron” is a “sword” or “knife,” because “face” is the Hebrew term for a blade’s “edge.” The second iron is a “sharpening iron,” as shown by with (or against). Is sharpened (see n. 25) is used metaphorically of mouth or tongue (Ps. 57:4 [5]; Isa. 49:2), a use that supports a person[1]

· This chapter has further insights on the individual and on our self-knowledge. Proverbs 17 noted that Yahweh needs to test our hearts or inner beings; we can be self-deceived. At the same time, the inner person is the core of the being, so the inner being indicates the real person.

· The saying about seeing one’s reflection in water (v. 19) makes the point; it may imply that another person also needs to look into the inner being to find the real person, not simply to take for granted the outward projection. The succeeding sayings nuance the point.

· Consider your desires and their all-consuming nature (v. 20). Consider the way you respond to praise or consider the objects of your praise or consider what kind of people praise you (v. 21)[2]

Bible Study:

Proverbs 27:17 (NASB) Sharpen your friends: Help them improve 17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

· When iron is rubbed against another piece of iron it shapes and sharpens it. Similarly, people can help each other improve by their discussions, criticisms, suggestions, and ideas. On the influence of companions, whether good or bad, on one’s life see 13:20; 22:24–25. A nagging wife (27:15), however, stimulates a husband toward anger.[3]

o Proverbs 13:20 (NASB) 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

o Proverbs 22:24-25 (NASB) 24 Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, 25 Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself.

· Iron is sharpened through friction: direct, abrasive contact with another piece of iron. As human beings, we are honed this way as well.

o Scripture declares that friends sharpen each other’s countenance through their interactions or relationships. Countenance (paniym) means face. Literally, it means to stand before or to stand face to face. Through direct contact and candid, face-to-face discussions with close friends, both we and they are sharpened. Such frankness can produce friction between two people, bringing about a heated exchange. However, it is absolutely necessary for the jagged edges of the sin nature—theirs and ours—to become honed into effective tools for the Master’s use.

· Do you remember the special look a parent gave you when you did something you knew was wrong? He/she did not have to say a word and you were “sharpened”.

§ 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NASB) 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.[4]

📷 One of my class members was caring for her mother who had raised her in India. During that time and world travels, collected a number of nice pieces of carvings that were memories of their time/travels. She was ill and some deacons went to her house to pray…. for her but refused to do so when they saw what they assumed to be “idols” for her.

o Respond and discuss how you would handle this.

§ Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

(Example of JSJ Age 75 to 100 group…The Last Lappers

…committed to finishing strong in their Christian life! I am the charter member, Mike Newlin (the Shark and first draft from San Diego to the Houston Rockets Dream Team) was my first member.

A thought to soak on:

· Verse 17 explains that people must not shy away from interaction with their peers since it is an education in itself. The “sharpening” can occur in any area in which people are engaged, be it business, intellectual, or physical competition.[5]

· This is a great discussion place😊.

Moving on:

· The remainder of Proverbs 27 is concerned mostly with matters of money. As Solomon started to write about how to make money grow, he brought up the subject of mutual help: “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (27:17).

· Underlying all true prosperity is integrity of character and scrupulous honesty in dealings with other people. Our friends and partners are important. We learn from one another; we take character and color from one another. Our character eventually shows in our faces.[6]

· So, a man sharpens the countenance of his friend: A man can be used to sharpen (improve and develop) his friend, but it may happen through a bit of friction and sparks. We shouldn’t be afraid of such and expect that true sharpening cannot happen without the occasional use of friction.

o “The analogy infers that the friend persists and does not shy away from critical, constructive criticism.” (Waltke)

o “Gladly let us take up the bond of brotherhood. If a brother seems to walk alone, sharpen his iron by godly communication. Walk together in mutual concern for each other’s infirmities, trials, and temptations.” (Bridges)[7]

· The proverb expresses the gain of mutual counsel as found in clear, well-defined thoughts. Two minds, thus acting on each other, become more acute. This is better than to see in “sharpening” the idea of provoking, and the point of the maxim in the fact that the quarrels of those who have been friends are bitter in proportion to their previous intimacy.[8]

· It is a wonderful thing to have a friend with whom you can sharpen your mind. You can discuss certain things with real profit. I used to have such a friend, and we could sit down and talk about spiritual matters. I always came away refreshed and strengthened, and I always had learned something. It is wonderful to have a friend like that.[9]

o Bill Carlson was a friend like the focus of our Scripture. When I had a challenge as a young deacon, I would visit “Bro. Carlson”, as I called him, and would sit on his front porch on his “company” house built by Imperial Sugar on Brooks St. and he would lead me to “pray it through”. His arthritic gnarled hands pictured below would be in that position as he led me through the darkness to a better place. He was being led by Jesus to mentor me…to “sharpen” me.

o I visited Bill in the nursing home just before he passed into Jesus’s arms and captured this picture that sits on a shelf across from my desk in my study. Picture is on page 7.

📷+

· Iron sharpens iron. The proverb deals with the influence which men have upon one another. So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

o The writer names iron as the sharpener rather than the whetstone, because he wishes to denote that one man is of the same nature as another, and that this identity is that which makes mutual action possible and advantageous.

o But the best commentators understand the maxim to say that interaction with other men/people influences the manner, appearance, deportment, and character of a man, sharpens his wits, controls his conduct, and brightens his very face.[10]

Proverbs 27:17 (NASB) 17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) (submitted for comparison) 17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Note: As we “graze through” this compilation of wisdom responding to this verse, I stumbled on Matthew Henry’s thoughts on Solomon’s focused wisdom here.

· This intimates both the pleasure and the advantage of conversation.

· One man is nobody; nor will poring upon a book in a corner accomplish a man as the reading and studying of men will.

o Wise and profitable discourse sharpens men’s wits; and those that have ever so much knowledge may by conference have something added to them.

o It sharpens men’s looks, and, by cheering the spirits, puts a briskness and liveliness into the countenance, and gives a man such an air as shows he is pleased himself and makes him pleasing to those about him.

o Good men’s graces are sharpened by converse with those that are good, and bad men’s lusts and passions are sharpened by converse with those that are bad, as iron is sharpened by its like, especially by the file.

o Men are filed, made smooth, and bright, and fit for business (who were rough, and dull, and inactive), by conversation.

o This is designed……………

§ To recommend to us this expedient for sharpening ourselves, but with a caution to take heed whom we choose to converse with, because the influence upon us is so great either for the better or for the worse.

§ To direct us what we must have in our eye in conversation, namely to improve both others and ourselves, not to pass away time or banter one another, but to provoke one another to love and to good works and so to make one another wiser and better.[11]

o As a file sharpensan ax or a sharpening steel a carving knife, good friends encourage one another to grow in wisdom and godliness, even if it requires painful criticism.[12]

§ Proverbs 27:6 (NASB) 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

Building and amplifying this thought I submit the following:

· While friendship is entered into primarily because of the enjoyment and sense of comfort which the relationship brings, this proverb reminds the reader that there is a benefit which accrues to each of the parties.

· Iron sharpens iron. To do this, the iron must be hard and durable. In a similar manner, a friend sharpens the “face” of his friend. There is the suggestion from the analogy of iron to iron, that the exchange may not always be a smooth and comfortable one. Picture iron striking iron! Sparks may fly! But unlike the hypocritical friend of v. 14………….

o Proverbs 27:14 (NASB) 14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be reckoned a curse to him.

o or the kisses of the enemy of v. 6,

§ Proverbs 27:6 (NASB) 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

📷 This friend is a faithful friend whose consistency and firmness lead to some wounds, but which result in the betterment of his friend.

· This principle is operative in the spiritual and assembly realms as well.

o One of the great blessings of conversational Bible readings and fellowship among brethren is that ideas and interpretations are tested and balanced by wise friends. The man who has no one to balance him or to sharpen his thinking is at a great loss, although he may not realize it.

· But on a personal and individual basis, the lesson of the proverb is to choose your friends with great care. Stevenson quotes the ancient proverb: “He who lies down with dogs will rise up with fleas”.

o Young believers were always taught to look for friends who were a little more spiritual and to seek their company.

o Wise is the man who looks for a wife, or the woman who looks for a husband, who is a little more spiritual and a little wiser than self.

o If you cannot find one, then you may well be the oft-mentioned fool of Proverbs who is wise in his own eyes![13] Hmmmmmmmmmm?

For application on this lesson, I will suggest that one goes to page one of the lesson, read each of the Scripture references and think about your response given to you by the Holy Spirit that you would be willing to share with others.

If given the opportunity, then share that heavenly wisdom and soak on what you hear coming from not only your mouth but others who share.

Grace and peace,

jsj

[1]Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005), 384. [2]John Goldingay, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs for Everyone, Old Testament for Everyone (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press; Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2014), 131. [3]John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 964. [4]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Proverbs, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2012), 412. [5]Duane A. Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, vol. 14, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 220. [6]John Phillips, Exploring Proverbs 19–31: An Expository Commentary, vol. 2, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Pr 27:17–18. [7]David Guzik, Proverbs, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2017), Pr 27:17. [8]Albert Barnes, Notes on the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Jeremiah, Lamentations & Ezekiel, ed. F. C. Cook and J. M. Fuller (London: John Murray, 1879), 74. [9]J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: Poetry (Proverbs), electronic ed., vol. 20 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 231. [10]H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Proverbs, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 517–518. [11]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 1016. [12]David K. Stabnow, “Proverbs,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Jeremy Royal Howard (Broadman & Holman, 2015), 676. [13]A. J. Higgins and E. Currie, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, What the Bible Teaches (John Ritchie, 2008), 311.