Some of the verses today talk about friendship
27:5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
than hidden love.
27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
NET notes about the word "Hidden" in v.5, "What is described, then, is someone too timid, too afraid, or not trusting enough to admit that reproof is a genuine part of love." NET notes about "excessive" v.6, "The kisses of an enemy cannot be trusted, no matter how often they are presented."
What is the expected response? From v.5, probably encourages us to give our friend a open rebuke while v.6 target at the one who receive the "wounds of a friend" and assure him that the rebuke is better than all the kisses you got from any enemy. When is the last time your rebuke your friend? Or when your got rebuke from your friend do you feel good or bad about it?
Seems like v.9 gives us the answer
27:9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice,
likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.
27:9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice,
likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.
NET notes, "The first line of the proverb provides the emblem to the parallel point. The emblem is the joy that anointing oil (ointment) and incense bring, and the point is the value of the advice of a friend." Your friend took the time and the sincere heart to give you counsel and it is sweet. Have you ever experience this sweetness with the fellowship of sisters? Or your prayer partners? Or from your mentor? I pray that we can develop good friendship in the group. Will you pray for your spouse that he can also have good friendship among the brothers?
Take this verse as a conclusion,
27:10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,
and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster;
a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away.
27:10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,
and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster;
a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away.
Friends are so important (especially the one who can give your sincere counsel) and do not forsake them, even they are the friend of your father. Neighbor (one kind of friend) has the advantage over your own brother because they are close by when you need them.
Audrey
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