Don’t Brag About Tomorrow
August 12, 2019
Commentary
It is a big mistake to boast about what you will do tomorrow because there is really no way of knowing for sure what will happen (v. 1). This is especially true when it comes to putting off being saved. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Not only should a person refrain from boasting about what he will do but he should refrain from boastingabout what he has done (v. 2). Self-praise is out of place for the man of wisdom. It is pride and that is something that God hates. Because a fool refuses to listen to good advice his burdens will become heavier than stone (v. 3). A wise person will not react to him, even when his words and actions are irritating.
An angry person is dangerous, but a jealous person is even worse (v. 4). If a person truly loves his friend, he will not fear to tell him a fault or correct him (v. 5). An enemy may seem to be a friend by saying things he knows you would like to hear. But concerned rebuke shows more of a genuine expression of friendship. Rebuke patiently given will cement a relationship rather than destroy it.
You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies (v. 6). If you have had enough to eat, honey doesn’t taste good, but if you are famished, you will eat anything (v. 7). When you are far from home, you feel like a bird without a nest (v. 8). Loving counsel on the part of a friend is as refreshing and stimulating to the soul as oil and perfume are to the body (v. 9).
Application
Some people have such a desire to be everybody’s friend that they are not willing to rebuke a friend with loving concern when he needs it. Can I think of anyone who I should go to and put into practice this scriptural admonition?
Proverbs 27:1– 9 (NET)
1 Do not boast about tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but vexation by a fool is more burdensome than the two of them.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
7 The one whose appetite is satisfied loathes honey, but to the hungry mouth every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest, so is a person who wanders from his home.
9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.
Illustration: Napoleon’s Method of Remembering Names
Napoleon boasted he could remember the names of every person he ever met. His technique was simple. If he didn’t hear the name clearly, he said, “So sorry I didn’t get the name clearly.” If it was an unusual name, he would ask “How is it spelled?” During the conversation, he took the trouble to repeat the name several times, and tried to associate it in his mind with the persons features, expression and general appearance. If they were of greater importance as soon as he was alone, he wrote it down on a piece of paper. Looked at it, concentrated on it, fixed it securely in his mind, and tore up the paper. (From How to win friends and influence people – p. 82).