WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.620 Please turn with me to Proverbs chapter 27. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:29.440 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:05.979 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:11.740 as we learn from Proverbs 27 00:01:11.740 --> 00:01:15.640 about your design for friendship, 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:22.820 won't you shape us more and more 00:01:22.820 --> 00:01:29.960 to be the kind of friends to one another 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:36.159 that Jesus has been to us. 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:40.519 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:41.659 Amen. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:49.099 Proverbs 27. 00:01:50.839 --> 00:01:53.060 Do not boast about tomorrow, 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:56.399 for you do not know what a day may bring. 00:01:58.119 --> 00:01:59.919 Let another praise you, 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:01.319 and not your own mouth, 00:02:02.379 --> 00:02:04.899 a stranger and not your own lips. 00:02:06.759 --> 00:02:09.979 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:12.599 but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:15.439 Wrath is cruel, 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:17.199 anger is overwhelming, 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:20.400 but who can stand before jealousy? 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:26.340 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:29.439 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:32.700 profuse are the kisses of an enemy. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:36.020 One who is full loathes honey, 00:02:36.760 --> 00:02:38.020 but to one who is hungry, 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:39.600 everything bitter is sweet. 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:43.479 like a bird that strays from its nest, 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:45.579 is a man who strays from his home. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:49.939 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:50.939 and the sweetness of a friend. 00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:54.879 And the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:56.879 Do not forsake your friend, 00:02:56.879 --> 00:02:59.340 Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:02.500 and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:07.280 Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:10.159 Be wise, 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:10.759 my son, 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:12.000 and make my heart glad, 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:15.439 that I may answer him who reproaches me. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:19.879 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:23.439 but the simple go on and suffer for it. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:28.620 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:32.840 and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress. 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:38.000 Whoever blesses his neighbor with the loud voice rising early in the morning 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.000 will be counted as cursing. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:43.819 A continual dripping on a rainy day, 00:03:44.079 --> 00:03:45.699 and a quarrelsome wife are alike. 00:03:45.699 --> 00:03:49.219 To restrain her is to restrain the wind, 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:51.659 or to grasp oil in one's right hand. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:54.359 Iron sharpens iron, 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:56.439 and one man sharpens another. 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:00.579 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, 00:04:00.859 --> 00:04:03.099 and he who guards his master will be honored. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:06.959 As in water, face reflects face, 00:04:07.299 --> 00:04:09.679 so the heart of man reflects the man. 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:14.060 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:16.920 and never satisfied are the eyes of man. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:19.800 The crucible is for silver, 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:21.740 and the furnace is for gold, 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:24.360 and a man is tested by his praise. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:29.519 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:31.939 yet his folly will not depart from him. 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:36.199 Know well the condition of your flocks, 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:38.620 and give attention to your hurts. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:41.699 For riches do not last forever, 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:45.000 and does a crown endure to all generations? 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:48.319 When the grass is gone, 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:49.539 and the new growth appears, 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:51.500 and the vegetation of the mountain is gathered, 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.759 the lambs will provide your clothing, 00:04:54.039 --> 00:04:55.920 and the goats the price of a field. 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:58.620 There will be enough goat's milk for your food, 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:01.279 for the food for your household, 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:02.939 and maintenance for your growths. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:06.540 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:09.899 It's particularly appropriate, 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:13.160 as we as a church family mourn 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:15.379 the loss of a dear friend, 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:17.860 that we look at a passage 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:19.720 about friendship, 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:22.480 what it means to be a true friend. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:27.980 Because everyone needs friends, 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.939 but what kind of friends should we seek? 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:33.939 How do we make friends? 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:35.860 How do we keep friends? 00:05:36.580 --> 00:05:38.020 What kind of friends should we be? 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:42.160 These are all questions that we have asked ourselves. 00:05:42.780 --> 00:05:45.240 And the two different Hebrew words for friend, 00:05:45.960 --> 00:05:49.040 which sometimes translate neighbor in this passage, 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:50.319 occur again and again, 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:51.839 six times throughout this chapter, 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:54.120 to tell us that that's what this chapter 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:55.339 is primarily about. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.139 And it gives us many of God's wise answers 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:00.259 to these questions. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:02.379 In verses 1 to 4, 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:05.300 it tells us to don't make it about yourself. 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:07.719 In verses 5 to 10, 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:10.120 it tells us to be forthright and faithful. 00:06:11.219 --> 00:06:12.500 Verses 11 to 22, 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:14.620 it tells us to choose your friends wisely. 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:17.279 And verses 23 to 27, 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:19.659 it tells us to make friends for the future. 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:23.159 The first lesson about friendship 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:24.920 is that we shouldn't make it about ourselves. 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:27.219 We see this in verses 1 to 4. 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:28.819 It says, 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.680 Do not boast about tomorrow, 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.079 for you do not know what a day may bring. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:36.579 Let another praise you and not your own mouth, 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:39.399 a stranger and not your own lips. 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:41.719 The first two verses are joined together 00:06:41.719 --> 00:06:44.019 by the common word praise, 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:46.379 which is translated as boast in verse 1, 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:48.519 and praise in verse 2. 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:51.219 They forbid self-praise, 00:06:51.219 --> 00:06:53.339 but invite the praise of strangers. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:56.800 We are never meant to boast about tomorrow 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:59.319 or to praise our tomorrow, 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:00.920 our great prospects, 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:02.719 our grand plans, 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:05.759 for we do not know what a day may bring. 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:09.699 Tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:14.579 And that reality should humble us. 00:07:30.539 --> 00:07:32.459 That reality should humble us before God 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:34.719 and keep us from boasting. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:40.639 James 4, 13 to 15 echoes this wisdom. 00:07:41.239 --> 00:07:42.379 Come now, you who say, 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:43.419 today or tomorrow, 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.759 we will go into such and such a town 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.519 and spend a year there 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:49.079 and trade and make a profit. 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:52.139 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:54.099 What is your life? 00:07:54.100 --> 00:07:57.480 For you are a mist that appears for a little time 00:07:57.480 --> 00:07:58.220 and then vanishes. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.540 Instead, you ought to say, 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:01.840 if the Lord wills, 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:04.320 we will live and do this or that. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:08.920 If you are the kind of person like me 00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:11.600 that likes to make plans long into the future, 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:13.840 like to talk about those plans, 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.840 it could be a sign and evidence of pride. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:21.860 It's not wrong to make tentative plans 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:23.300 and diligent preparations, 00:08:23.780 --> 00:08:26.400 but we should do so with the understanding 00:08:26.400 --> 00:08:30.460 that our plans are always contingent on God's plans. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:34.279 I think during the pandemic, 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:36.039 we recovered a little bit of that humility. 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:40.019 And it would serve us to remember that lesson 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:41.580 for our entire lives. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:45.139 We don't know how long the virus will be around. 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.060 We don't know whether the economy will rebound or not. 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:51.340 We don't know whether or not we will keep our jobs, 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.879 whether or not we will be alive next year or not. 00:08:54.680 --> 00:08:56.660 It will serve us to remember this 00:08:56.660 --> 00:08:59.000 and stay humble in our lives. 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:05.759 A person who dwells in the past is despondent. 00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:09.379 A person who dwells in the future is prideful. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:12.280 Only the person who dwells in the present, 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:15.420 in light of eternity, can be faithful. 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:18.199 So we should never praise ourselves. 00:09:18.479 --> 00:09:20.179 We should never boast about our future. 00:09:20.579 --> 00:09:23.279 We should never talk up our own potential and prospects. 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:25.519 The only praise that is acceptable 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:27.939 is the praise that others bestow on us. 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:29.539 Verse 2 says, 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.679 Let another praise you and not your own mouth. 00:09:33.219 --> 00:09:36.779 A stranger and not your own lips. 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:40.179 I read this week that there is a German proverb 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.399 that goes like this. 00:09:42.179 --> 00:09:43.539 Self-praise stinks. 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:46.199 Friends' praise limps. 00:09:46.839 --> 00:09:48.799 Strangers' praise rings. 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:54.059 Human beings are capable of endless self-deception. 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:57.980 We are also capable of selfish flattery. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:01.500 And for these reasons, it's the praise of another, 00:10:02.199 --> 00:10:02.959 a stranger. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.439 Praise from someone who has nothing to gain from praising you. 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:08.560 That is truly to be valued. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:12.480 This is an important foundation for friendship 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:16.440 because no one likes self-absorbed, socially insecure people 00:10:16.440 --> 00:10:21.160 who make everything, every relationship about themselves. 00:10:22.300 --> 00:10:23.360 Verse 3 says this, 00:10:23.420 --> 00:10:26.080 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, 00:10:26.420 --> 00:10:29.860 but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:34.200 When we need to weigh things down, 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:39.379 to keep from blowing away a sign or something that we put up, 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:40.740 for example, in our outdoor services, 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:43.220 we use sandbags, stones, because they are heavy. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:47.200 But a self-absorbed fool's provocation, 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:49.060 it says, is heavier than both. 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:52.379 The word heavy used here is the same Hebrew word 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:54.960 that is sometimes translated honor or glory. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:57.400 And the Hebrew word for sand is, 00:10:57.620 --> 00:11:01.080 it looks and sounds almost identical to the word praise 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:02.759 used in verses 1 and 2. 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:06.259 So both the heavy stone and weighty sand 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:08.440 are reminiscent of the self-absorbing 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:10.980 and self-glorying of the fool. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:14.360 The self-honoring and self-glorifying of the fool. 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:16.740 And that self-absorption and boasting 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:18.940 weighs down all of his friendships 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:22.340 so that they cannot blossom and flourish. 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:25.480 Verse 4 continues, 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:28.000 wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:30.280 but who can stand before jealousy? 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:32.879 Just as the fool's provocation 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.920 is heavier than both stone and sand, 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.899 so it says jealousy 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:41.519 that this fool's self-absorbed, 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:43.379 self-centered boasting creates 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:45.500 is overwhelming, 00:11:45.680 --> 00:11:48.580 more overwhelming than cruel wrath and anger. 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:50.820 In common English, 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:53.820 we use the words jealousy and envy interchangeably. 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:55.360 But if we get technical, 00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:58.379 jealousy is the longing and zeal 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.900 that a person feels 00:11:59.900 --> 00:12:01.820 when something or someone 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:04.200 that rightly belongs to him or her 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.040 is threatened. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.280 That's jealousy. 00:12:07.560 --> 00:12:08.080 For example, 00:12:08.180 --> 00:12:10.220 when a woman gets jealous for her husband, 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:12.580 when another woman flirts with him, 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.660 she should feel jealous 00:12:15.660 --> 00:12:17.280 for him in that instance 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:20.860 because her husband rightly belongs to her. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.539 And jealousy in that instance 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:25.039 is a sign of love 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:26.959 as opposed to indifference. 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.360 This is what is meant 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.919 when Scripture describes God 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:32.480 as a jealous God 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.899 who is jealous for his people. 00:12:35.339 --> 00:12:36.620 He is jealous for us 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:37.839 when we turn to idols. 00:12:38.459 --> 00:12:39.379 He is jealous for us 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:41.559 because we rightly belong to him. 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:43.959 Our allegiance, 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:44.739 our affection, 00:12:45.239 --> 00:12:46.459 belong to him. 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:49.319 On the other hand, 00:12:49.859 --> 00:12:51.579 envy is the longing 00:12:51.579 --> 00:12:52.779 that a person feels 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:54.559 for something or someone 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:56.319 that belongs to another. 00:12:57.619 --> 00:12:58.279 For example, 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:00.159 when we are envious 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:02.000 of another person's fortunes, 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.019 looks, 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:04.239 relationships, 00:13:04.739 --> 00:13:05.199 successes. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:08.580 Another way to make this distinction 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.700 is to differentiate 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:11.360 between being jealous 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:13.100 for something or someone, 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:14.140 which is healthy, 00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:15.920 and being jealous 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:17.740 of something or someone, 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:19.400 which is envy. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.780 This unhealthy jealousy 00:13:22.780 --> 00:13:24.820 is more severe 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:26.100 and unyielding 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:28.920 than even overwhelming cruel anger. 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.480 And in this climate 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.300 of self-absorbed boasting 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:35.879 and other-absorbed envy, 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:37.859 the seeds of friendship 00:13:37.859 --> 00:13:38.539 cannot grow. 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:41.139 And so that's the first lesson 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:41.539 on friendship 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:42.299 from this chapter, 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:43.919 that friendship requires 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:45.519 mutuality and self-giving. 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:47.240 If we make it about ourselves, 00:13:47.359 --> 00:13:48.159 it doesn't work. 00:13:49.859 --> 00:13:51.359 The second lesson is this, 00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:53.459 be forthright and faithful. 00:13:54.199 --> 00:13:54.979 We can see this 00:13:54.979 --> 00:13:56.159 in verses 5 to 10. 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:56.679 It says, 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.779 Better is open rebuke 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:00.059 than hidden love. 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:02.139 Faithful are the wounds 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.799 of a friend. 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:04.740 Profuse are the kisses 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.500 of an enemy. 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.740 This striking proverb 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.599 contrasts open rebuke, 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.759 which is paradoxical, 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.599 contrasts it with hidden love. 00:14:13.339 --> 00:14:13.639 Likewise, 00:14:13.859 --> 00:14:15.240 it also contrasts 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.019 friendly wounds, 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.039 which is paradoxical, 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.159 with enemy kisses. 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.500 A true friend 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:22.139 is willing to inflict 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.559 faithful wounds 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:24.799 on his or her friends. 00:14:25.859 --> 00:14:27.699 When he sees his friend 00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:28.500 in wrongdoing, 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:30.219 he takes the personal risk 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:32.080 of confronting him or her 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:34.660 and correcting him or her 00:14:34.660 --> 00:14:36.800 because his love for his friend 00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:38.660 outweighs his desire 00:14:38.660 --> 00:14:39.740 for self-preservation. 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.240 In contrast, 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:44.320 the unfaithful friend 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:46.500 hides his love 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:48.899 and does not rebuke his friend 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:52.120 because he is cowardly 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:54.080 and selfish 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:57.000 and does not want to risk 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.779 being rejected. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.779 Though ostensibly, 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:02.419 he may refrain from rebuking 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:02.940 his friend 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.820 out of an interest 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.740 for his feelings. 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.179 I don't want to hurt my friend 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.399 because he's too dear to me. 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:08.840 In reality, 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:10.100 he's looking out 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.860 for his own interests. 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:14.279 In this way, 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.320 the hidden love 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:16.500 has more in common, 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.240 it says according to this 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.720 poetical comparison, 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:22.120 with the profuse kisses 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.279 of an enemy, 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.879 like the kiss of Judas 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.200 that betrayed our Lord Jesus. 00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:28.860 It's insincere, 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.860 deceitful, 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.620 hypocritical. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:35.240 A good friend is faithful, 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.539 meaning he is trustworthy 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.279 and reliable. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:40.200 If he sees you going down 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:41.159 the wrong path, 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.600 even at the risk 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.679 of being spurned, 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:46.100 he will correct you. 00:15:47.839 --> 00:15:49.100 So forthrightness 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:50.219 and faithfulness 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:51.360 are essential elements 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.819 of true love, 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:53.620 true friendship. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.120 And that's why 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.120 the famous command 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.579 in Leviticus 19.18, 00:15:57.819 --> 00:15:58.799 love your neighbor 00:15:58.799 --> 00:15:59.500 as yourself, 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:01.379 is preceded immediately 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.399 by verse 17, 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.000 which says, 00:16:03.339 --> 00:16:04.199 do not hate 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:05.319 a fellow Israelite 00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:05.899 in your heart. 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.699 Rebuke your neighbor 00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:08.339 frankly 00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:09.579 so you will not share 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:10.339 in their guilt. 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:15.399 The importance 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.360 of giving earnest 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.339 counsel to one's friend 00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:18.199 is highlighted again 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.419 in verses 7-10. 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.659 Please follow along 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.500 with me as I read it. 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:23.379 One who is full 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.339 loathes honey, 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:25.879 but to one who is hungry 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.699 everything bitter 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.179 is sweet. 00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:29.219 Like a bird that strays 00:16:29.219 --> 00:16:29.879 from its nest 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.100 is a man who strays 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.779 from his home. 00:16:32.839 --> 00:16:34.019 Oil and perfume 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.519 make the heart glad, 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.980 and the sweetness 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:37.879 of a friend 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.879 comes from his 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.799 earnest counsel. 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.519 Do not forsake 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.000 your friend 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.919 and your father's friend 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.399 and do not go 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.220 to your brother's house 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.259 in the day of your calamity. 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.559 Better is a neighbor 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:47.259 who is near 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.240 than a brother 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.340 who is far away. 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.960 These verses 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.740 that I just read 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.100 have an alternating pattern. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.299 So verse 7 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:54.899 is paralleled 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.699 by verse 9. 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.480 Verse 8 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.059 is paralleled 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:57.759 by verse 10. 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.240 Verse 7 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.860 speaks of 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.779 sweet honey 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:02.059 and verse 9 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:02.620 speaks of 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.279 the sweetness 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.500 of a friend 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.299 who provides 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.220 earnest counsel. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:07.680 Verse 7 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.599 repeats the word 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.039 soul. 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:09.660 Literally, 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.200 it's the soul 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.319 who's full 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.299 loathes honey, 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:14.700 but to the soul 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.519 who is hungry 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.440 everything bitter 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:16.920 is sweet. 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:17.839 And that word 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.639 is repeated again 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:19.399 in verse 9 00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.779 where earnest counsel 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.559 is literally 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:23.399 counsel of soul, 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.599 a soulish counsel. 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.480 And these verbal 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.059 connections 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.220 between verses 7 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:29.660 and 9 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.759 illuminate each other. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:32.759 Because verse 7 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.059 at the literal level 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.779 simply says 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.299 that if you're 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.059 a picky eater, 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.519 it's because 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.660 you haven't really 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.359 known hunger. 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.000 That's true. 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:43.740 As it says 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.319 in Pinocchio 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.920 that I'm reading 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.480 to my daughters 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.000 right now, 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.759 hunger is the best sauce. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.160 But this verse 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:50.859 isn't really 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.980 about appetite. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.740 It's about friendship 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.960 as verse 9 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.500 makes clear. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.920 In other words, 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.920 if you surround 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.519 yourself 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:00.180 with so-called 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.759 friends, 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.899 who are eager 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:03.039 to party with you 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.779 and tell you 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.539 what you want 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:04.980 to hear, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.299 if you have 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:06.940 your fill 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.240 of such friends, 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:08.940 you're going 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.779 to loathe 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.559 even the honey-like 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.139 sweetness 00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:13.039 of a friend 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.879 who gives you 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:14.700 earnest counsel. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.480 You're going 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.460 to be too full 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.240 of the gossip, 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.019 the chatter, 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.139 the flattery, 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.619 and frivolous talk 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:23.019 of unfaithful friends 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:24.099 to appreciate 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.599 the open rebuke 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.879 and earnest counsel 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:28.339 of a faithful friend. 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.200 And 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:32.019 Proverbs 18, 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.940 24 puts it 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.319 this way, 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:34.019 a man of 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.019 many companions 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.180 may come 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:36.759 to ruin, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.480 but there's 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.000 a friend 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.660 who sticks 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.299 closer 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.480 than a brother. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.740 Instead of 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.420 getting full 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.700 on many companions 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.399 who do nothing 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.200 to prevent us 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.720 from ruin, 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.399 we are to find 00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:50.000 the friend 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.460 who sticks 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.539 closer than a brother 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.359 who is willing 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.099 to give us 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.779 the sweetness 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.819 of earnest 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.319 counsel. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.639 The flip side 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:58.500 of this verse 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.419 is also true. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:18:59.879 Verse 7, 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.139 it says, 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:00.799 But to one 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.740 who is hungry, 00:19:02.159 --> 00:19:02.879 everything bitter 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:03.419 is sweet. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:04.859 If you are 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:06.139 starved for friendship, 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.759 if you're lonely 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.579 and desperate 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.539 for some kind 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.379 of affirmation, 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:11.720 even that which 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.359 is bitter 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.279 is going to taste 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.399 sweet to you. 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.339 Even bitter friends 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.200 who make your life 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:17.679 miserable 00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:19.059 are going to seem 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:20.439 desirable to you. 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:22.500 To summarize then, 00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:23.279 being sated 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.740 by bad friends 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.380 will make you 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.620 despise a good friend, 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.820 and the lack 00:19:27.820 --> 00:19:28.580 of good friends 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.420 will make you 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.940 pine for bad friends. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.840 Bad friends. 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:33.259 In order to avoid 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.980 these pitfalls, 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.259 we need to be wise 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.080 in choosing 00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.640 our friends. 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.039 We need to befriend 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.880 those who will give us 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.920 the honor of open 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:40.420 rebuke 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.660 and earnest counsel. 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:43.840 Similarly, 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.360 verse 8 and verse 10 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:46.539 parallel and explain 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.019 each other. 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.380 Verse 8 says, 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.059 Like a bird 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:49.799 that strays 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.480 from its nest 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:50.980 is a man 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.579 who strays 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.220 from his home. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.819 And verse 10 says, 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.680 Do not forsake 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.220 your friend 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.259 and your father's friend, 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.259 and do not go 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.259 to your brother's house 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.639 in the day 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.440 of your calamity. 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.899 Better is a neighbor 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:01.659 who is near 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.259 than a brother 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.279 who is far away. 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.659 These verses 00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:07.180 emphasize the importance 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:09.059 of geographic nearness 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.139 in friendship. 00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:12.839 There are benefits 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.779 in remaining close 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.440 to your family 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.759 and friends at home. 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:18.399 A bird that strays 00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:19.720 from its nest 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:21.180 is out of its element. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.880 It is isolated 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.240 and vulnerable. 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.839 One simple 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.839 and obvious application 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.360 from this 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:29.259 is that we should think 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.720 twice before we leave 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.480 our network 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.680 of family and friends 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.980 for school, 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.500 for a job, 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.259 or for no other reason 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.960 than leaving home. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.740 It's easier 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.920 to get a good education 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.740 or to find a good job 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:46.019 than to make faithful friends 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.660 or to find a good church. 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:47.720 church. 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.820 Some of you 00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.660 have experienced this 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.360 during your time 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:53.860 in Boston. 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.120 You moved here 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:56.000 for one purpose 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.380 or another 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:56.960 and realized 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.720 that you are a bird 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.380 that has strayed 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.080 from its nest, 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.220 isolated, 00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:01.320 lonely. 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.000 Verse 10 continues, 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.660 like a bird 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.160 that strays 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:07.720 from its nest. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.539 Those who forsake 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.259 their friend 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.819 and their father's friend 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.720 in the day 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.660 of their calamity 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.740 and instead 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.460 seek help 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:16.140 from faraway relatives 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:17.259 are going to be 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.500 isolated and vulnerable. 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.079 They're going to be 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.619 disappointed. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.220 In our modern 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.220 digital age 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:24.279 of frequent air travel 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:24.980 and Zoom, 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.259 physical distance 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.619 seems increasingly 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.200 irrelevant. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:31.180 But this proverb 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.140 reminds us 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:33.100 of the importance 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:35.299 of embodied nearness. 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.259 A hallmark 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.819 of a good friend 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.319 is faithfulness, 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.620 constancy, 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.819 dependability. 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:46.080 And a brother 00:21:46.080 --> 00:21:47.360 who is far away 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:49.480 is not going to be able 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.700 to provide that for you. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:54.140 No matter how loyal 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.740 or kind he might be, 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.220 by the simple fact 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.580 that he's not here, 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:01.080 he's not going to always 00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:02.259 be there for you. 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:05.080 His attention 00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:06.240 and his focus 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.860 are rightfully elsewhere. 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:12.600 Do you have friends 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:14.019 who are nearby 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:16.880 that you can call, 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.000 that you can go over 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.539 to their house 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:21.159 in your day of calamity? 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:23.480 Do you have such friends? 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.539 Or are your primary 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.599 relational investments 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:32.200 still in family and friends 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:32.899 who are far away? 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.899 Especially in a transient 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.839 city like ours, 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.899 this proverb offers 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.899 a helpful corrective. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.799 You should lay down roots 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:43.259 wherever you end up 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.579 and make friends 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.180 with those who are near you, 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.740 even if you're only there 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.240 for a year. 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:51.159 Because you don't know 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:52.420 what tomorrow may bring. 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.519 An unforeseen calamity 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.420 might strike you 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:59.899 or you may be there 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.879 for longer than you know 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:02.379 or longer than you imagine. 00:23:05.379 --> 00:23:06.559 Better is a neighbor 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.319 who is near 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.940 than a brother 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:10.099 who is far away. 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.839 Wherever you are, 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:14.740 you should invest 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.480 in relationships. 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.799 and as a church 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.920 in this transient city, 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.400 we have a wonderful opportunity 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.920 to be that good neighbor 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.720 and that faithful friend 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:24.140 to all those who come 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:25.140 through our doors. 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:29.799 And then verses 11 to 22 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.380 teach us to choose 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.579 our friends wisely. 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:35.279 It begins in verses 11 and 12. 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.460 Be wise, my son, 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.799 and make my heart glad 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:39.539 that I may answer him 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.500 who reproaches me. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.680 The prudent sees danger 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:44.220 and hides himself, 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.539 but the simple go on 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.660 and suffer for it. 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.279 These verses anticipate 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.440 a family adversary 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.700 who seeks to bring shame 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.299 to the father. 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.019 And while this is generally 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.059 true everywhere, 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.799 especially in this 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:58.720 intensely family-oriented culture 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:00.039 that Proverbs was written in, 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.880 how the child fares 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:03.559 is directly affected, 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.240 it directly affects 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.259 the way the parent 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.160 is esteemed. 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.960 So here, 00:24:09.060 --> 00:24:10.519 the father implores his son 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.840 to be wise 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:13.220 and make my heart glad 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.500 that I may answer him 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.480 who reproaches me. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.200 He wants his son 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.920 to be prudent 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.460 and to avoid danger 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.080 rather than being 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:20.960 a simple fool 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.220 who walks headlong 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.800 into trouble. 00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.800 And the primary kind 00:24:24.800 --> 00:24:26.180 of danger and suffering 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:26.740 that the father 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.220 wants his child to avoid 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.660 in this context 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.600 of chapter 27 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:31.400 is the danger 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.700 of bad companions 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.120 and the suffering 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.240 that poorly chosen 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.060 friends bring. 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:38.640 As I said earlier 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:40.019 in Proverbs 13, 20, 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:40.800 whoever walks 00:24:40.800 --> 00:24:41.540 with the wise 00:24:41.540 --> 00:24:42.580 becomes wise, 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:43.740 but the companion 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.380 of fools 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.440 will suffer harm. 00:24:46.540 --> 00:24:47.440 This highlights 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.279 something unique 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.080 about friendship 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:50.700 and that's this, 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.560 that friendship 00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:54.120 is entirely elective. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.560 You can't choose 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.160 your parents. 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.920 You can't choose 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.640 your siblings. 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:02.440 You can't really 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.019 even choose 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.480 your neighbors. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:06.039 but you have 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.880 chosen all 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.460 of your friends. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.120 And this is why 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:13.779 it's so important 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.620 to be careful 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.799 with whom we choose. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.059 The Four Loves, 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.180 a book by C.S. Lewis, 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.160 describes friendship 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.539 this way. 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:19.740 He says, 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.579 it is the least 00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:22.079 natural of loves, 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.180 the least instinctive, 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:24.900 organic, 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:25.940 biological, 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.099 gregarious, 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.420 and necessary. 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:30.980 He's pointing out 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.539 the fact that 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.420 friends are some 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.380 relationships that 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:33.660 don't, 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.440 they're not forced 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.039 upon you. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.740 Rather, 00:25:35.840 --> 00:25:36.800 they're relationships 00:25:36.800 --> 00:25:37.779 that you choose. 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.759 And as much as 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.539 we like to think 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.160 in our liberal 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.480 individualistic culture 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.600 that we are 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.360 self-sufficient 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:47.420 or that we are 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.680 self-made people, 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.480 we are anything 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.100 but that. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.420 We romanticize 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.620 the idea 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.820 of self-determination. 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.400 I'm my own person, 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.800 we say. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.519 I make my own 00:25:59.519 --> 00:25:59.960 decisions. 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.080 I determine 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:02.060 my own path. 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:05.440 But self-determination 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.779 is an illusion. 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.180 In fact, 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:10.800 we are a product 00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:12.440 of our cultures 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.980 and the communities 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.100 that we surround 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:15.880 ourselves with. 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.440 When we are younger, 00:26:19.560 --> 00:26:20.100 we are primarily 00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:21.560 influenced by our family 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.800 and as we get older, 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.480 we are primarily 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.960 influenced by our friends, 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.600 the community 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.779 we surround ourselves with. 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.019 And this is why 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.220 choosing our friends 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:31.000 wisely is so crucial. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.900 And verses 13 to 16 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.879 tell us what kinds 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.460 of friends 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.599 to avoid. 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.980 Verse 13, 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.279 it says, 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.319 take a man's garment 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.480 when he has put up 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.700 security for a stranger 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:43.720 and hold it in pledge 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.339 when he puts up 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.819 security for an adulteress. 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.680 What's in view here 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.299 is a man 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.299 who cosigns 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.559 loans for strangers. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:52.079 someone who becomes 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.000 a guarantor 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:55.539 of a stranger's debt 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.819 for someone 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.399 that he bears 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:58.700 no responsibility for. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.399 The word stranger 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.399 is a key word here 00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:03.220 because it's also 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.919 connected to the word 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:04.539 adulteress, 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.500 which literally means 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.819 foreigner woman, 00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:09.039 a strange woman, 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.759 a woman that does 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.119 not belong to you, 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:12.919 someone that is 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:13.919 not your wife. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:17.480 Proverbs repeatedly 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.440 warns against 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.740 becoming a surety, 00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.320 a guarantor 00:27:20.320 --> 00:27:21.420 of someone else's loans 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.700 because doing so 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.680 puts us at the mercy 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.640 of the borrower. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:27.039 When we put up 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.039 security for someone, 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.100 we think that we are 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:29.800 in charge, 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.580 that we are being 00:27:30.580 --> 00:27:31.779 benevolent, 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:33.779 but in reality, 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.319 that subjects us 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.220 to the goodwill 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.059 of the debtor 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.680 because if they 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.539 don't repay the debt, 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.740 we are bound, 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.119 we are chained, 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:44.899 we are at their mercy. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.740 And because becoming 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.599 a surety for someone 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.519 else is foolish, 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.180 it warns us against 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:52.680 supporting, 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.839 warns us against 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.839 befriending people 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.980 who do that. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.420 Imagine that you know 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.420 a fool who puts up 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.660 security for a stranger 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.720 and an adulteress 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.079 and then he comes 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.700 to you asking 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.460 to borrow money 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:06.240 to bail him out. 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.299 He says, 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:08.920 I'm your friend. 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.980 Verse 13 tells us 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.579 to be wary 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.319 of such people. 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.279 He says, 00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.700 don't lend him money 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.460 in faith 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.779 just because 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.880 he's your friend. 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.900 Make sure you 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.839 take collateral 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:23.900 because it's a bad risk. 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.519 Take the man's garment 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:28.539 and hold it in pledge 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:30.579 because you'll most 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.399 likely never get 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:32.000 your money back. 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.980 Verse 14 continues, 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.819 whoever blesses 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.240 his neighbor 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.259 with a loud voice 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.000 rising early 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.519 in the morning 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.519 will be counted 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.419 as cursing. 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.759 Once again, 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:44.000 the subject is friendship. 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:44.659 The word neighbor 00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:45.319 is the same word 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:45.899 that's translated 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:46.879 in many places 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.460 as friend 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.919 in verse 9 and 10 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:49.419 for example. 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.740 Even a well-meaning 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.439 blessing 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:54.059 if said 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:55.319 with a loud voice 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.299 early in the morning 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.980 will be counted 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.380 as cursing. 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:01.019 I think many of you guys 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.779 are aware of this. 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.799 I heard 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.900 many 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:05.740 sighs of relief 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.660 when we chose 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:07.400 the evening time 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.140 for our service. 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.960 And some of you guys 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.360 have seen 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:13.000 these coffee mugs 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.539 that have 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.579 these lines on it. 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:15.680 And I think 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.720 like quarter of the way down 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.599 it says shh. 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.720 And then 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.720 halfway down 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.180 it says 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:20.860 almost. 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.360 And then 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:22.920 I think 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.559 three-fourths 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.039 of the way down 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.360 it says 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.199 now you can speak. 00:29:26.959 --> 00:29:27.919 So you understand 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:29.000 what this is talking about. 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.859 It's talking about 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.839 basic tact 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:32.519 and social awareness 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.899 that good friend 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:34.859 is supposed to have. 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.679 Reminiscent of 00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.459 chapter 25 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:39.619 verses 16 and 17. 00:29:39.719 --> 00:29:40.259 If you have found 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.639 honey 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.740 it only enough 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.179 for you 00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:42.759 lest you have 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.339 your fill of it 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.039 and vomit it. 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:45.079 Let your foot 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.639 be seldom 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.599 in your neighbor's house 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.240 lest he have 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.919 his fill of you 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:48.679 and hate you. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.699 Just as it's possible 00:29:50.699 --> 00:29:51.899 to get too much 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.719 of a good thing 00:29:52.719 --> 00:29:53.259 like honey 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.420 so it's possible 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.379 to have too much 00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:56.099 of a good thing 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:57.519 like friendliness 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.859 and neighborliness. 00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:00.379 If you want to be 00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:01.059 a good friend 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.779 if you want to 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.660 bless your friend 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.099 great 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.160 but you got to 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:05.099 know the time 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.799 and place 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.379 to do it. 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.119 You got to 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.339 not be obnoxious 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:09.319 inconsiderate 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:11.099 and do it in a manner 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.059 that actually serves 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.480 your friend. 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:15.099 Some people 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.920 struggle with this 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.579 for one reason 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:16.960 or another 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.420 and if you know 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:18.980 that you struggle 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.700 in this department 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.759 ask your friends 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.220 for help. 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:23.079 Rely on them. 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.960 Ask them 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.319 if there have 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:24.720 been times 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.579 you were tactless 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:27.140 and so you 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.039 can grow from it. 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.619 And then 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.779 verses 15 to 16 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.339 warn us about 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:33.259 friends to avoid 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.140 especially in the 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.720 most intimate 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.480 of contexts. 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.039 A continual dripping 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.980 on a rainy day 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.839 and a quarrelsome 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.819 wife are alike. 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.579 To restrain her 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.420 is to restrain 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:43.940 the wind 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.640 or to grasp 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.680 oil in one's 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.279 right hand. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.619 This is a picture 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:48.980 of a man 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.900 who takes shelter 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.599 under the roof 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.119 of his house 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:52.559 in a torrential 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.259 rain 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.759 only to be 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.379 pestered 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.339 by the continual 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.259 dripping of water 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.719 from his 00:30:57.719 --> 00:30:58.339 leaky roof. 00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:00.699 Likewise, 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.659 a man married 00:31:01.659 --> 00:31:02.240 to a quarrelsome 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.359 wife comes home 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.419 for respite 00:31:04.419 --> 00:31:06.019 only to be 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.639 worn down 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.119 further 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:08.039 by the nagging 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.539 of his wife. 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.299 To restrain her 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.059 is to restrain 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.519 the wind 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.099 or grasp 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.119 oil in one's 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.659 right hand. 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.039 Unlike the friend 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.559 who gives 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.339 earnest counsel 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.119 in verse 9 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:18.220 who is described 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.919 as compared 00:31:18.919 --> 00:31:19.879 to the oil 00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:21.000 and perfume 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.879 that make 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:22.679 the heart glad. 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:23.839 The quarrelsome 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.500 wife is like 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.819 oil that slips 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.679 from one's grip 00:31:26.679 --> 00:31:27.919 that one can never 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:29.039 get a hold of. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.899 She's supposed 00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:30.819 to be a blessing 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:32.039 like the oil 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:33.959 of this earnest 00:31:33.959 --> 00:31:34.500 friend, 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.639 but instead 00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:37.279 she's elusive, 00:31:37.439 --> 00:31:38.119 unrestrained. 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.519 It's because 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.319 Proverbs often 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.240 uses the rhetorical 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:44.240 device of father 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.279 addressing his sons 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:45.960 that is written 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.920 from this perspective, 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.980 but this proverb 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.779 also applies 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.500 to the quarrelsome 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.899 husband. 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.980 If your relationship 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.680 with a man 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.259 or a woman 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.559 is fraught 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:56.139 and characterized 00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:57.639 by frequent quarrels, 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:59.099 if that relationship 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.160 rarely offers 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:01.200 rest and delight 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.920 for your soul, 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.460 then that's probably 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.099 not the person 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.700 you should enter 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:06.019 into lifelong covenant 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:07.519 with of marriage. 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.660 I do want to add 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.779 a caveat here 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.339 because, 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.559 and I advise you 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.000 to seek 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.079 the earnest counsel 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:15.859 of true friends 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:16.500 in this matter 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:18.859 because it may be 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:20.559 in your relationship 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:21.720 with the significant 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:23.079 other that the 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:23.799 core of some person 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.679 is not him or her 00:32:24.679 --> 00:32:25.119 but you. 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:30.480 Instead, 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.639 it says we should 00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:33.039 choose our friends 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.599 wisely, 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.439 people who have 00:32:35.439 --> 00:32:36.359 godly character 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:37.619 that we aspire to 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.379 because they will 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.139 shape us. 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.819 It says in verse 17, 00:32:40.939 --> 00:32:41.720 this famous verse, 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:43.360 iron sharpens iron 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.740 and one man 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.920 sharpens another. 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.360 If you look at 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:48.380 the footnote in ESV 00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:49.299 at the end of this verse, 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.240 it tells us that 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:50.799 it's literally 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.319 iron sharpens iron 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.559 and one man 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:55.000 sharpens the face 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.579 of another. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.900 In Hebrew, 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:58.160 the edge of the knife 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:58.640 is called 00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:59.420 the face 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.240 of the knife. 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.059 So the expression 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:03.319 face of another 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.279 captures how 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.819 just as honing steel 00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.779 can be used 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.259 to sharpen 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:07.880 the edge 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:08.579 of a blade, 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.919 we are sharpened 00:33:09.919 --> 00:33:10.919 and sanctified 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:12.139 by our friends 00:33:12.139 --> 00:33:13.699 so that we more, 00:33:14.179 --> 00:33:15.599 we better reflect 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.339 God's character 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.379 and become more useful 00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:18.159 for his purposes. 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.119 In short, 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:21.439 this verse is telling us 00:33:21.439 --> 00:33:22.659 to choose for ourselves 00:33:22.659 --> 00:33:23.740 friends who will 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:25.039 inflict faithful 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:26.159 wounds on us, 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.139 who will make 00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:28.919 our hearts glad 00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:29.559 with sweetness 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.619 of his earnest counsel. 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.599 And verse 17 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:34.039 is related to verse 19 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:35.220 by the word face 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.879 and by the word man. 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.399 It says, 00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:39.259 as in water, 00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:41.380 face reflects face. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:43.000 So the heart of man 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:44.620 reflects the man. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.140 This is another one 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:47.220 of those poetic lines 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:48.000 that are very difficult 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.640 to translate. 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.320 It literally says, 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.300 as the water, 00:33:51.860 --> 00:33:52.620 face to face, 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:54.220 thus the heart of man 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.680 to man. 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.400 It likely means 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.380 one of two things. 00:33:58.840 --> 00:33:59.500 It could mean 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.759 that as on the surface 00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.320 of water, 00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:02.640 one can see the reflection 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.620 of his own face. 00:34:04.040 --> 00:34:05.320 So the heart of man 00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:06.540 reflects the man's 00:34:06.540 --> 00:34:07.480 true self, 00:34:07.600 --> 00:34:08.240 who he is. 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:10.460 That's one option. 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:11.440 The second option 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.519 is that just as you see 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.700 your public image 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:14.619 by the reflection 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.260 in the mirror, 00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:17.360 so you see your heart 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.260 in the way 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:19.099 it's reflected 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:20.440 in your friends 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.480 around you, 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:23.700 by those whose faces 00:34:23.700 --> 00:34:25.039 that sharpen you. 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:27.659 I think the second option 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.699 better fits the surrounding 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:29.779 context because of 00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:30.259 the connection, 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:31.039 the verbal connections 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:32.420 to verse 17. 00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:34.460 And also because 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.900 Proverbs speaks often 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.920 of how every way 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.759 of man is right 00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:38.460 in his own eyes, 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.159 but the Lord 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.980 weighs the heart. 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.219 It seems unlikely 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:41.900 that this proverb 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:42.500 is telling us 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.320 to look inside 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:44.019 our own hearts 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:45.380 that we actually 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.400 don't have access to. 00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:48.420 If we really want 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.159 to know what 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:50.099 we're made of, 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.940 if we really want 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.960 to know what kinds 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:54.200 of people we are, 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:58.860 we need to look 00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:00.300 to the earnest 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:01.659 counsel of friends, 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:03.659 the faces of friends, 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.000 the edge 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.019 of their, 00:35:06.220 --> 00:35:07.440 of the knives, 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:09.920 who love us enough 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:11.019 to wound us faithfully 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.159 and to speak the truth, 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:13.720 to give us an honest 00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:14.400 appraisal 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.599 of our own character. 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:19.299 If you have such friends, 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.299 I know many of you do, 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.739 it's painful. 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.900 It hurts at times. 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:26.159 It's not easy. 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.679 But you are blessed. 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:33.380 If you have such friends, 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:35.019 you should attend 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:36.099 to those friends 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:37.900 because you will surely 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:39.099 reap the rewards 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:40.219 multiple times over. 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.319 That's what verse 18, 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.299 sandwiched between 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:45.019 these two verses, 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.500 says, 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.579 whoever tends 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.319 a fig tree 00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:48.380 will eat its fruit 00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:49.799 and he who guards 00:35:49.799 --> 00:35:50.500 his master 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.199 will be honored. 00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.460 The metaphor 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.000 of tending 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.719 to a fig tree 00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:54.139 is applied 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:55.199 particularly to 00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:56.039 the relationship 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.799 between the employer 00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:57.380 and the employee 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.279 in this context, 00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:00.119 but it's more broadly 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.980 applicable to other 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:01.739 friendships and 00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:02.839 relationships as well. 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.400 And a fig tree 00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:05.480 takes several years 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.299 to grow before it 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:07.099 starts producing 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:08.860 its highly prized fruit. 00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:10.159 And so it takes 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:11.000 hard work 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:12.659 and patient endurance, 00:36:13.559 --> 00:36:14.460 just like friendship. 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:16.079 But in the end, 00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:17.280 it's worthwhile. 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.079 Likewise, 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.019 faithful, 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:20.920 loyal service 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.860 to one's master, 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.820 anyone who has 00:36:22.820 --> 00:36:23.699 power or authority 00:36:23.699 --> 00:36:24.280 over you, 00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.559 will bring honor 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:26.980 to you in due time. 00:36:27.960 --> 00:36:28.500 And similarly, 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.220 friends, 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:29.980 true friends, 00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:31.420 are worth attending to, 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:33.240 worth devoting time to, 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.559 worth counseling 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.199 earnestly. 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:36.500 And anyone who has 00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:37.539 enjoyed the blessing 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.259 of true friendship 00:36:38.259 --> 00:36:39.039 will tell you 00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:40.059 that the fruit 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:41.379 is sweet. 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:44.439 Figs are one of the 00:36:44.439 --> 00:36:45.659 sweetest fruits in nature. 00:36:46.399 --> 00:36:48.099 We have this bag of figs 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:48.639 from Costco, 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:49.779 and it says, 00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:51.439 about 20 grams of fig, 00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:53.779 there's 10 grams of sugar. 00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.519 That's amazing. 00:36:56.859 --> 00:36:57.659 It's nature's candy. 00:36:57.659 --> 00:37:00.659 And earlier in verses 00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:01.480 7 to 9, 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.659 it's described 00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:03.500 its sweetness, 00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.559 it compared the sweetness 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:05.339 of a friend 00:37:05.339 --> 00:37:06.579 who gives earnest counsel 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.179 to honey. 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:07.879 Likewise, 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:09.019 another sweet 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:11.319 food. 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:13.480 Because we live in a world 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:15.039 full of artificial sweeteners, 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.819 sweet foods are commonplace, 00:37:16.879 --> 00:37:17.559 and now we take them 00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:18.119 for granted. 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.579 But in the ancient world, 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:20.639 before people learned 00:37:20.639 --> 00:37:21.500 to crystallize sugar 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.460 from sugar canes, 00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:23.199 that was about 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:24.119 4th century AD, 00:37:24.399 --> 00:37:25.119 sweet foods, 00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:26.659 like honey and figs, 00:37:26.659 --> 00:37:28.219 were cherished treats. 00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:31.159 And likewise, 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:33.799 forthright and faithful friends 00:37:33.799 --> 00:37:36.159 yield delectable fruits, 00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:38.019 incomparable fruits, 00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:40.179 that sweeten your life 00:37:40.179 --> 00:37:41.960 and make it worthwhile. 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:45.279 We should strive 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:46.359 to find such friends. 00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:50.679 Verses 20 to 22 00:37:50.679 --> 00:37:51.519 then offer a study 00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:52.279 in contrast 00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:56.600 what foolish friends 00:37:56.600 --> 00:37:57.000 are like 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.100 and how they can be tested. 00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.160 It says, 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:00.240 Sheol and Abaddon 00:38:00.240 --> 00:38:01.320 are never satisfied 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:02.300 and never satisfied 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:03.500 are the eyes of man. 00:38:04.080 --> 00:38:04.700 The crucible 00:38:04.700 --> 00:38:05.720 is for silver 00:38:05.720 --> 00:38:06.580 and the furnace 00:38:06.580 --> 00:38:07.260 is for gold 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:07.760 and a man 00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:08.220 is tested 00:38:08.220 --> 00:38:09.240 by his praise. 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:10.740 Crush a fool 00:38:10.740 --> 00:38:11.300 in a mortar 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:11.980 with a pestle 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:13.180 along with crushed grain, 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:13.980 yet his folly 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.900 will not depart 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.380 from him. 00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:16.960 The image 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:18.920 of never being satisfied 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:20.220 or sated 00:38:20.219 --> 00:38:22.059 continues the theme 00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:23.199 of food and eating. 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:25.279 Unlike the wise man 00:38:25.279 --> 00:38:26.539 who is satisfied 00:38:26.539 --> 00:38:27.559 by eating the fruit 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.239 of his labor, 00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:30.279 by eating the sweetness 00:38:30.279 --> 00:38:31.179 of friendship, 00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:34.699 the fool is like Sheol 00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.539 and Abaddon, 00:38:35.779 --> 00:38:37.079 death and the grave, 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.799 which are never satisfied. 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:41.279 His eyes are ever greedy 00:38:41.279 --> 00:38:41.839 for more, 00:38:42.299 --> 00:38:43.219 for more money, 00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:45.279 for more social prestige. 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:47.239 And here's how we weed out 00:38:47.239 --> 00:38:47.819 such people. 00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.379 Verse 21 says, 00:38:49.380 --> 00:38:50.119 the crucible 00:38:50.119 --> 00:38:51.079 is for silver 00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:52.360 and the furnace 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:53.160 is for gold 00:38:53.160 --> 00:38:53.700 and a man 00:38:53.700 --> 00:38:54.240 is tested 00:38:54.240 --> 00:38:55.480 by his praise. 00:38:56.160 --> 00:38:57.180 In the same way 00:38:57.180 --> 00:38:58.400 that silver and gold 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:59.200 are refined 00:38:59.200 --> 00:39:00.000 by the fire 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:00.720 of the furnace, 00:39:01.180 --> 00:39:01.780 so a man 00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:02.360 is tested 00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:03.840 by his praise. 00:39:04.720 --> 00:39:05.700 His praise 00:39:05.700 --> 00:39:07.280 exposes the man 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:09.039 to reveal 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.900 whether he is just 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.579 dross 00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:11.440 that will burn off 00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:12.960 or true metal 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:14.059 that withstands 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:14.900 the fire. 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.960 The word praise 00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:18.480 recalls verses 1 to 2 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:19.079 which told us 00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:20.199 not to praise 00:39:20.199 --> 00:39:20.800 ourselves 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:22.099 or to boast 00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:22.960 about our future 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.059 but to let someone else 00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:24.679 praise us. 00:39:25.340 --> 00:39:26.380 A foolish friend 00:39:26.380 --> 00:39:27.019 to avoid 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:28.119 is the kind of person 00:39:28.119 --> 00:39:28.820 that is eager 00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:30.039 for the praise of man 00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:31.740 and can never get 00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:32.480 enough of it. 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:33.980 That person 00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:34.199 who, 00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:35.000 as John 12, 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:35.920 43 says, 00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:37.079 loves the glory 00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:38.460 that comes from man 00:39:38.460 --> 00:39:39.219 more than the glory 00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:40.219 that comes from God. 00:39:41.219 --> 00:39:42.059 Such a person 00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:42.780 gets bloated 00:39:42.780 --> 00:39:43.599 and big-headed 00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.699 when lavished 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.320 with praise, 00:39:45.320 --> 00:39:47.059 thinking that 00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:47.539 he deserves 00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.019 all of it 00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:48.559 and more 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:50.240 instead of being 00:39:50.240 --> 00:39:51.400 humbled by praise, 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.700 recognizing that 00:39:52.700 --> 00:39:53.519 all that he has 00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:54.019 is ultimately 00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.640 from God, 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:56.280 knowing how much 00:39:56.280 --> 00:39:56.900 he is actually 00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:58.320 indebted to others 00:39:58.320 --> 00:39:59.760 who have helped him 00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:00.420 along the way, 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:02.220 not knowing 00:40:02.220 --> 00:40:03.600 how so much 00:40:03.600 --> 00:40:04.340 of his success 00:40:04.340 --> 00:40:05.300 was about being 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:06.140 in the right place 00:40:06.140 --> 00:40:07.340 at the right time 00:40:07.340 --> 00:40:08.539 and that there is 00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:09.200 very little 00:40:09.200 --> 00:40:10.120 that separates him 00:40:10.120 --> 00:40:10.620 from others 00:40:10.620 --> 00:40:11.559 who are also 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.000 deserving. 00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:14.300 So, 00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:16.280 such a greedy, 00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:17.300 selfish, 00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:18.200 prideful person 00:40:18.200 --> 00:40:18.920 is rapacious 00:40:18.920 --> 00:40:19.700 like Sheol 00:40:19.700 --> 00:40:20.340 and Abaddon, 00:40:20.800 --> 00:40:21.500 indiscriminately 00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.640 consuming everything 00:40:22.640 --> 00:40:23.340 in his path, 00:40:23.680 --> 00:40:24.559 including anyone 00:40:24.559 --> 00:40:25.559 who will be foolish 00:40:25.559 --> 00:40:26.019 enough to be 00:40:26.019 --> 00:40:26.559 their friends. 00:40:29.380 --> 00:40:30.500 Verse 22 says, 00:40:30.600 --> 00:40:31.340 Crush a fool 00:40:31.340 --> 00:40:32.380 in a mortar 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:33.000 with a pestle 00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:34.100 along with crushed grain, 00:40:34.380 --> 00:40:34.960 yet his folly 00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:36.120 will not depart from him. 00:40:36.600 --> 00:40:37.539 That kind of 00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:38.620 deeply ingrained 00:40:38.620 --> 00:40:39.780 pride and folly 00:40:39.780 --> 00:40:40.860 cannot be extracted. 00:40:42.160 --> 00:40:42.980 Even if the fool 00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:43.840 were to be crushed 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:44.700 as in a mortar 00:40:44.699 --> 00:40:45.500 with a pestle, 00:40:45.819 --> 00:40:46.319 the husk 00:40:46.319 --> 00:40:46.980 of his sinful 00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:47.960 pride and folly 00:40:47.960 --> 00:40:48.879 cannot be removed 00:40:48.879 --> 00:40:49.480 from the grain. 00:40:51.099 --> 00:40:51.939 And that brings us 00:40:51.939 --> 00:40:52.659 to the final section 00:40:52.659 --> 00:40:53.219 of this chapter, 00:40:53.359 --> 00:40:54.639 verses 23 to 27, 00:40:55.159 --> 00:40:55.719 which tells us 00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.579 to make friends 00:40:56.579 --> 00:40:57.339 for the future. 00:40:58.919 --> 00:40:59.679 Know well 00:40:59.679 --> 00:41:00.219 the condition 00:41:00.219 --> 00:41:00.879 of your flocks 00:41:00.879 --> 00:41:01.559 and give attention 00:41:01.559 --> 00:41:02.299 to your herds, 00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:03.159 for riches 00:41:03.159 --> 00:41:04.239 do not last forever, 00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:05.379 and does a crown 00:41:05.379 --> 00:41:06.739 endure to all generations? 00:41:07.439 --> 00:41:08.179 When the grass 00:41:08.179 --> 00:41:08.719 is gone 00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:09.519 and the new growth 00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:10.019 appears 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:10.659 and the vegetation 00:41:10.659 --> 00:41:11.519 of the mountains 00:41:11.519 --> 00:41:12.079 is gathered, 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:13.199 the lambs 00:41:13.199 --> 00:41:13.719 will provide 00:41:13.719 --> 00:41:14.460 your clothing 00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:15.179 and the goats 00:41:15.179 --> 00:41:15.799 the price 00:41:15.799 --> 00:41:16.400 of a field. 00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:17.619 There will be 00:41:17.619 --> 00:41:18.539 enough goat's milk 00:41:18.539 --> 00:41:19.259 for your food, 00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:20.019 for the food 00:41:20.019 --> 00:41:20.819 of your household, 00:41:20.960 --> 00:41:21.420 and maintenance 00:41:21.420 --> 00:41:22.099 for your girls. 00:41:23.059 --> 00:41:24.199 It uses the imagery 00:41:24.199 --> 00:41:24.980 of shepherding, 00:41:25.199 --> 00:41:25.900 but that's not 00:41:25.900 --> 00:41:26.699 what these verses 00:41:26.699 --> 00:41:27.219 are about. 00:41:27.900 --> 00:41:28.960 It's not giving us 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:30.659 shepherding advice. 00:41:31.139 --> 00:41:32.039 We can see this 00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:32.599 in the rationale 00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:33.840 given in verse 24. 00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:35.940 For riches 00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:36.960 do not last forever, 00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:38.420 and does a crown 00:41:38.420 --> 00:41:39.819 endure to all generations? 00:41:39.820 --> 00:41:41.720 What's in view here 00:41:41.720 --> 00:41:42.519 is a king 00:41:42.519 --> 00:41:43.640 who rules 00:41:43.640 --> 00:41:45.580 over his figurative flocks. 00:41:46.580 --> 00:41:48.780 He currently enjoys riches 00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:49.740 by the virtue 00:41:49.740 --> 00:41:50.580 of his royalty, 00:41:50.760 --> 00:41:51.280 a crown, 00:41:51.840 --> 00:41:52.980 but both his reign 00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:53.780 and the riches 00:41:53.780 --> 00:41:55.900 that accompany his rule 00:41:55.900 --> 00:41:57.080 will one day 00:41:57.080 --> 00:41:58.100 come to an end. 00:41:58.960 --> 00:41:59.900 That's the reason 00:41:59.900 --> 00:42:00.580 for the advice 00:42:00.580 --> 00:42:01.420 of verse 23. 00:42:01.600 --> 00:42:02.840 Know well the condition 00:42:02.840 --> 00:42:03.539 of your flocks 00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:04.640 and give attention 00:42:04.640 --> 00:42:05.559 to your herds. 00:42:06.120 --> 00:42:07.519 If you use the resources 00:42:07.519 --> 00:42:08.620 at your disposal 00:42:08.619 --> 00:42:09.659 for the benefit 00:42:09.659 --> 00:42:10.799 of your subjects, 00:42:11.239 --> 00:42:12.139 using the grass 00:42:12.139 --> 00:42:12.799 and the vegetation 00:42:12.799 --> 00:42:14.440 to feed your flocks, 00:42:14.619 --> 00:42:16.299 then when times change 00:42:16.299 --> 00:42:17.539 and you no longer 00:42:17.539 --> 00:42:18.159 have access 00:42:18.159 --> 00:42:19.059 to those resources, 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:21.259 the flocks you nourished 00:42:21.259 --> 00:42:22.139 and shepherded 00:42:22.139 --> 00:42:23.199 will provide you 00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:24.279 with food and clothing. 00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:28.199 If you are in positions 00:42:28.199 --> 00:42:28.839 of leadership, 00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:31.259 whether it's in your family, 00:42:31.539 --> 00:42:31.900 church, 00:42:32.420 --> 00:42:32.839 school, 00:42:32.839 --> 00:42:33.859 or work, 00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:35.639 or anywhere else, 00:42:35.880 --> 00:42:37.199 this proverb commands you 00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:38.779 to make your position 00:42:38.779 --> 00:42:40.559 not about yourself 00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:42.599 relishing the power 00:42:42.599 --> 00:42:43.079 and privilege 00:42:43.079 --> 00:42:43.859 that come with it, 00:42:43.980 --> 00:42:45.559 but rather about serving 00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:46.179 the people 00:42:46.179 --> 00:42:47.019 in your charge. 00:42:47.819 --> 00:42:49.460 If you do that, 00:42:49.739 --> 00:42:50.799 when your fortunes 00:42:50.799 --> 00:42:51.719 take a downturn, 00:42:52.139 --> 00:42:53.379 those friends you made 00:42:53.379 --> 00:42:54.539 will fend for you 00:42:54.539 --> 00:42:56.359 and tend to you. 00:42:58.299 --> 00:42:59.559 This is very similar 00:42:59.559 --> 00:43:00.279 to the parable 00:43:00.279 --> 00:43:01.339 of the shrewd manager 00:43:01.339 --> 00:43:02.279 that Jesus tells 00:43:02.279 --> 00:43:03.159 in Luke 16, 00:43:03.239 --> 00:43:03.939 1-12. 00:43:03.940 --> 00:43:05.000 There, 00:43:05.099 --> 00:43:05.639 a manager 00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:08.599 of a rich man's estate 00:43:08.599 --> 00:43:10.500 receives a termination notice 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:11.159 from the owner, 00:43:11.960 --> 00:43:12.619 and knowing that 00:43:12.619 --> 00:43:13.760 he's not strong enough 00:43:13.760 --> 00:43:14.760 to hire himself out 00:43:14.760 --> 00:43:15.539 for manual labor, 00:43:15.940 --> 00:43:17.400 but also being too ashamed 00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:18.380 to beg for money 00:43:18.380 --> 00:43:19.240 once he is fired, 00:43:19.679 --> 00:43:20.619 the manager decides 00:43:20.619 --> 00:43:22.099 to use however many days 00:43:22.099 --> 00:43:22.800 he has left 00:43:22.800 --> 00:43:23.639 as the manager 00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.639 in his position 00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:25.280 to reduce 00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:26.480 the outstanding debt 00:43:26.480 --> 00:43:28.360 of all of his master's debtors, 00:43:29.099 --> 00:43:30.059 so that when he 00:43:30.059 --> 00:43:31.360 is finally unemployed, 00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:32.820 these friends he made 00:43:32.820 --> 00:43:34.059 might receive him 00:43:34.059 --> 00:43:35.000 into their homes 00:43:35.000 --> 00:43:36.340 and provide for him. 00:43:37.480 --> 00:43:38.620 Using this parable, 00:43:38.740 --> 00:43:39.440 Jesus tells us 00:43:39.440 --> 00:43:40.400 in Luke 16, 9, 00:43:40.460 --> 00:43:41.280 and I tell you, 00:43:41.780 --> 00:43:43.519 make friends for yourselves 00:43:43.519 --> 00:43:46.380 by means of unrighteous wealth, 00:43:46.620 --> 00:43:47.920 so that when it falls, 00:43:48.039 --> 00:43:49.080 they may receive you 00:43:49.080 --> 00:43:51.380 into the eternal dwellings. 00:43:52.380 --> 00:43:54.420 The logic is exactly the same 00:43:54.420 --> 00:43:55.460 as Proverbs 27, 00:43:56.240 --> 00:43:57.700 but there Jesus applies 00:43:57.700 --> 00:43:59.140 this principle to eternity. 00:43:59.139 --> 00:44:01.920 Our earthly lives 00:44:01.920 --> 00:44:03.000 are very short 00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:04.699 relative to eternity, 00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:07.179 and we can't take 00:44:07.179 --> 00:44:09.039 any of our money with us. 00:44:10.039 --> 00:44:11.639 So Jesus tells us 00:44:11.639 --> 00:44:13.819 to use unrighteous wealth, 00:44:14.539 --> 00:44:15.699 earthly currency, 00:44:15.699 --> 00:44:17.379 to make friends 00:44:17.379 --> 00:44:19.059 in preparation for a time 00:44:19.059 --> 00:44:19.859 when that currency 00:44:19.859 --> 00:44:20.879 is no longer valid 00:44:20.879 --> 00:44:22.079 in eternity. 00:44:23.039 --> 00:44:24.940 If we use our resources, 00:44:25.420 --> 00:44:26.659 if we use our station, 00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:28.199 if we use our influence 00:44:28.199 --> 00:44:30.399 to make heavenly friends, 00:44:30.839 --> 00:44:33.579 to tell people about Jesus, 00:44:34.019 --> 00:44:35.519 to bring them, 00:44:36.039 --> 00:44:37.079 invite them to the kingdom 00:44:37.079 --> 00:44:37.619 of God, 00:44:38.719 --> 00:44:41.099 then when we no longer 00:44:41.099 --> 00:44:42.039 have all of these 00:44:42.039 --> 00:44:43.659 resources at our disposal, 00:44:43.940 --> 00:44:44.940 when we lose all of it 00:44:44.940 --> 00:44:45.299 in heaven, 00:44:46.739 --> 00:44:47.619 we will have friends 00:44:47.619 --> 00:44:48.440 to welcome us. 00:44:49.579 --> 00:44:50.440 So then both 00:44:50.440 --> 00:44:51.659 for the sake of our 00:44:51.659 --> 00:44:52.539 earthly friends, 00:44:52.779 --> 00:44:53.379 earthly future, 00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:54.199 and for the sake of our 00:44:54.199 --> 00:44:55.419 eternal heavenly future, 00:44:55.619 --> 00:44:57.099 we need to use our stations 00:44:57.099 --> 00:44:57.799 and our influence, 00:44:57.879 --> 00:44:58.419 our resources, 00:44:58.419 --> 00:44:59.819 to make friends. 00:45:01.960 --> 00:45:03.019 If you're like me 00:45:03.019 --> 00:45:03.939 and you're going 00:45:03.939 --> 00:45:04.679 through this passage, 00:45:04.799 --> 00:45:05.539 this fills you 00:45:05.539 --> 00:45:06.199 with longing. 00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:08.339 Wouldn't it be amazing 00:45:08.339 --> 00:45:08.980 to have friends 00:45:09.719 --> 00:45:10.739 who are forthright 00:45:10.739 --> 00:45:11.379 and faithful? 00:45:12.539 --> 00:45:13.719 Friends who are genuinely 00:45:13.719 --> 00:45:15.179 entrusted in your welfare. 00:45:15.960 --> 00:45:16.919 Friends who are always 00:45:16.919 --> 00:45:17.739 there for us. 00:45:18.980 --> 00:45:20.099 Friends who love us enough 00:45:20.099 --> 00:45:21.179 to tell us the truth, 00:45:21.399 --> 00:45:22.279 and yet simultaneously 00:45:22.280 --> 00:45:24.360 is considerate and tactful. 00:45:26.900 --> 00:45:27.820 Friends who use 00:45:27.820 --> 00:45:28.440 their station, 00:45:28.580 --> 00:45:29.060 their influence, 00:45:29.140 --> 00:45:29.620 their resources 00:45:29.620 --> 00:45:30.820 to serve us 00:45:30.820 --> 00:45:32.220 rather than only 00:45:32.220 --> 00:45:33.340 to advance their own agenda. 00:45:35.240 --> 00:45:36.200 And if we're honest 00:45:36.200 --> 00:45:36.840 with ourselves, 00:45:36.980 --> 00:45:37.640 not only does this 00:45:37.640 --> 00:45:38.540 fill us with longing, 00:45:38.680 --> 00:45:39.580 it also fills us 00:45:39.580 --> 00:45:40.400 with regret. 00:45:41.280 --> 00:45:42.380 Because we realize 00:45:42.380 --> 00:45:43.320 that not only 00:45:43.320 --> 00:45:44.400 have we failed, 00:45:45.000 --> 00:45:45.900 have our friends 00:45:45.900 --> 00:45:46.500 failed us, 00:45:46.540 --> 00:45:47.440 but we also have 00:45:47.440 --> 00:45:48.700 failed our friends. 00:45:48.699 --> 00:45:51.119 we have not been 00:45:51.119 --> 00:45:52.779 faithful and forthright 00:45:52.779 --> 00:45:53.179 friends. 00:45:53.699 --> 00:45:55.359 We have at times 00:45:55.359 --> 00:45:56.779 let our friends down. 00:45:59.399 --> 00:46:00.500 We have been 00:46:00.500 --> 00:46:01.199 self-centered. 00:46:04.139 --> 00:46:05.599 But in spite of this, 00:46:05.739 --> 00:46:07.000 we have a faithful friend 00:46:07.000 --> 00:46:09.399 who has never failed us. 00:46:09.400 --> 00:46:12.660 who will never fail us. 00:46:13.660 --> 00:46:14.980 Explaining the significance 00:46:14.980 --> 00:46:16.300 of his impending death 00:46:16.300 --> 00:46:16.900 on the cross 00:46:16.900 --> 00:46:17.680 to his disciples, 00:46:18.340 --> 00:46:19.940 Jesus says in John 15, 00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:21.220 greater love 00:46:21.220 --> 00:46:22.320 has no one 00:46:22.320 --> 00:46:23.079 than this, 00:46:23.420 --> 00:46:23.940 that someone 00:46:23.940 --> 00:46:25.240 laid down his life 00:46:25.240 --> 00:46:26.099 for his friends. 00:46:27.059 --> 00:46:28.519 You are my friends 00:46:28.519 --> 00:46:29.280 if you do 00:46:29.280 --> 00:46:30.380 what I command you. 00:46:31.079 --> 00:46:31.920 No longer 00:46:31.920 --> 00:46:32.700 do I call you 00:46:32.700 --> 00:46:33.300 servants, 00:46:33.700 --> 00:46:34.220 for the servant 00:46:34.220 --> 00:46:35.019 does not know 00:46:35.019 --> 00:46:35.720 what his master 00:46:35.720 --> 00:46:36.320 is doing, 00:46:36.720 --> 00:46:38.000 but I have called you 00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:38.740 friends. 00:46:38.739 --> 00:46:40.339 For all that I have 00:46:40.339 --> 00:46:41.359 heard from my father 00:46:41.359 --> 00:46:42.459 I have made known 00:46:42.459 --> 00:46:43.199 to you. 00:46:44.199 --> 00:46:45.759 What Jesus says here 00:46:45.759 --> 00:46:47.279 reveals that in a sense 00:46:47.279 --> 00:46:48.719 the entire salvation 00:46:48.719 --> 00:46:50.519 history can be described 00:46:50.519 --> 00:46:52.079 as a story of friendship. 00:46:53.919 --> 00:46:55.419 God calls Abraham 00:46:55.419 --> 00:46:56.779 my friend 00:46:56.779 --> 00:46:58.459 in Isaiah 41.8. 00:46:59.319 --> 00:47:00.579 It was said that the Lord 00:47:00.579 --> 00:47:02.059 used to speak to Moses 00:47:02.059 --> 00:47:03.019 face to face 00:47:03.019 --> 00:47:04.459 as a man speaks 00:47:04.459 --> 00:47:05.259 to his friend. 00:47:05.260 --> 00:47:08.880 Psalm 25.14 00:47:08.880 --> 00:47:09.880 says the friendship 00:47:09.880 --> 00:47:11.080 of the Lord 00:47:11.080 --> 00:47:11.940 is for those 00:47:11.940 --> 00:47:12.760 who fear him 00:47:12.760 --> 00:47:13.880 and he makes 00:47:13.880 --> 00:47:14.680 known to them 00:47:14.680 --> 00:47:15.340 his covenant. 00:47:16.380 --> 00:47:17.680 We had all 00:47:17.680 --> 00:47:18.820 forsaken God. 00:47:19.820 --> 00:47:20.760 We had all 00:47:20.760 --> 00:47:21.340 rejected 00:47:21.340 --> 00:47:22.340 our covenant 00:47:22.340 --> 00:47:23.480 relationship with him. 00:47:23.820 --> 00:47:25.040 We have dishonored him 00:47:25.040 --> 00:47:26.180 and yet 00:47:26.180 --> 00:47:27.340 in his mercy 00:47:27.340 --> 00:47:28.720 God never stopped 00:47:28.720 --> 00:47:29.980 befriending us. 00:47:29.980 --> 00:47:30.059 friends. 00:47:31.599 --> 00:47:33.019 We were fickle 00:47:33.019 --> 00:47:34.420 and unfaithful 00:47:34.420 --> 00:47:34.940 friends. 00:47:35.860 --> 00:47:36.500 Undependable 00:47:36.500 --> 00:47:38.019 and self-centered. 00:47:38.019 --> 00:47:42.780 And as James 4.4 00:47:42.780 --> 00:47:43.179 says 00:47:43.179 --> 00:47:44.400 you adulterous 00:47:44.400 --> 00:47:44.780 people 00:47:44.780 --> 00:47:46.119 do not know 00:47:46.119 --> 00:47:46.920 that friendship 00:47:46.920 --> 00:47:48.019 with the world 00:47:48.019 --> 00:47:49.199 is enmity 00:47:49.199 --> 00:47:49.860 with God. 00:47:51.619 --> 00:47:51.920 Therefore 00:47:51.920 --> 00:47:52.659 whoever wishes 00:47:52.659 --> 00:47:53.380 to be a friend 00:47:53.380 --> 00:47:53.900 of the world 00:47:53.900 --> 00:47:54.699 makes himself 00:47:54.699 --> 00:47:55.639 an enemy 00:47:55.639 --> 00:47:56.219 of God. 00:47:57.179 --> 00:47:57.739 Even though 00:47:57.739 --> 00:47:58.599 we chose 00:47:58.599 --> 00:47:59.480 our friendship 00:47:59.480 --> 00:48:00.699 with the world 00:48:00.699 --> 00:48:02.440 we hoard 00:48:02.440 --> 00:48:03.380 after the idols 00:48:03.380 --> 00:48:04.759 of this world 00:48:04.759 --> 00:48:05.360 and yet 00:48:05.360 --> 00:48:05.940 over 00:48:05.940 --> 00:48:06.920 and over 00:48:06.920 --> 00:48:07.440 again 00:48:07.440 --> 00:48:08.760 the spurned 00:48:08.760 --> 00:48:09.180 God 00:48:09.180 --> 00:48:10.300 the rejected 00:48:10.300 --> 00:48:10.900 God 00:48:10.900 --> 00:48:12.619 while we were 00:48:12.619 --> 00:48:13.500 his enemies 00:48:13.500 --> 00:48:14.619 says 00:48:14.619 --> 00:48:15.820 reconciled us 00:48:15.820 --> 00:48:16.519 to himself 00:48:16.519 --> 00:48:17.980 through the death 00:48:17.980 --> 00:48:19.000 of his son 00:48:19.000 --> 00:48:20.559 Jesus Christ. 00:48:24.980 --> 00:48:26.340 Jesus is the 00:48:26.340 --> 00:48:27.300 faithful friend 00:48:27.300 --> 00:48:30.079 who demonstrated 00:48:30.079 --> 00:48:31.300 the greatest love 00:48:31.300 --> 00:48:33.059 by laying down 00:48:33.059 --> 00:48:33.920 his life 00:48:33.920 --> 00:48:34.619 for us. 00:48:34.619 --> 00:48:37.219 he is the 00:48:37.219 --> 00:48:38.019 good shepherd 00:48:38.019 --> 00:48:39.619 who looked out 00:48:39.619 --> 00:48:40.000 not only 00:48:40.000 --> 00:48:40.619 for his own 00:48:40.619 --> 00:48:40.980 interests 00:48:40.980 --> 00:48:41.859 but he laid 00:48:41.859 --> 00:48:42.299 down 00:48:42.299 --> 00:48:43.420 his life 00:48:43.420 --> 00:48:44.819 to save 00:48:44.819 --> 00:48:45.239 us. 00:48:46.839 --> 00:48:47.579 He had 00:48:47.579 --> 00:48:48.119 every right 00:48:48.119 --> 00:48:49.179 to exploit 00:48:49.179 --> 00:48:49.500 us 00:48:49.500 --> 00:48:50.380 fleece us 00:48:50.380 --> 00:48:51.039 use us 00:48:51.039 --> 00:48:52.000 however he 00:48:52.000 --> 00:48:52.339 would have 00:48:52.339 --> 00:48:52.739 wanted. 00:48:53.119 --> 00:48:53.880 He's the creator 00:48:53.880 --> 00:48:55.019 he owns us 00:48:55.019 --> 00:48:55.900 and yet 00:48:55.900 --> 00:48:56.839 he befriends 00:48:56.839 --> 00:48:58.119 his creatures. 00:48:58.119 --> 00:49:01.900 and it's 00:49:01.900 --> 00:49:02.599 because Jesus 00:49:02.599 --> 00:49:03.339 died on the 00:49:03.339 --> 00:49:03.819 cross for 00:49:03.819 --> 00:49:04.380 our sins 00:49:04.380 --> 00:49:05.779 because he 00:49:05.779 --> 00:49:06.359 was raised 00:49:06.359 --> 00:49:06.779 from the 00:49:06.779 --> 00:49:07.039 dead 00:49:07.039 --> 00:49:07.440 for our 00:49:07.440 --> 00:49:07.699 sake 00:49:07.699 --> 00:49:08.420 that we 00:49:08.420 --> 00:49:09.059 can now 00:49:09.059 --> 00:49:10.679 be reconciled 00:49:10.679 --> 00:49:11.079 to him 00:49:11.079 --> 00:49:12.000 and be 00:49:12.000 --> 00:49:12.380 called 00:49:12.380 --> 00:49:13.159 his friends. 00:49:15.219 --> 00:49:16.059 Brothers and 00:49:16.059 --> 00:49:16.339 sisters 00:49:16.339 --> 00:49:17.619 it's only 00:49:17.619 --> 00:49:18.139 when we 00:49:18.139 --> 00:49:18.539 become 00:49:18.539 --> 00:49:19.239 friends of 00:49:19.239 --> 00:49:19.619 God 00:49:19.619 --> 00:49:20.480 when we 00:49:20.480 --> 00:49:20.599 are 00:49:20.599 --> 00:49:21.159 transformed 00:49:21.159 --> 00:49:22.039 by his 00:49:22.039 --> 00:49:22.539 love 00:49:22.539 --> 00:49:23.259 when we 00:49:23.259 --> 00:49:23.440 are 00:49:23.440 --> 00:49:24.139 sanctified 00:49:24.139 --> 00:49:25.099 by his 00:49:25.099 --> 00:49:25.699 friendly 00:49:25.699 --> 00:49:26.380 wounds 00:49:26.380 --> 00:49:27.679 that we 00:49:27.679 --> 00:49:28.579 are conformed 00:49:28.579 --> 00:49:29.119 more and 00:49:29.119 --> 00:49:29.639 more to 00:49:29.639 --> 00:49:30.319 the likeness 00:49:30.319 --> 00:49:30.819 of Jesus 00:49:30.819 --> 00:49:31.360 Christ 00:49:31.360 --> 00:49:31.679 our 00:49:31.679 --> 00:49:32.360 perfect 00:49:32.360 --> 00:49:33.039 friend 00:49:33.039 --> 00:49:35.000 and it 00:49:35.000 --> 00:49:35.619 is only 00:49:35.619 --> 00:49:36.259 then 00:49:36.259 --> 00:49:37.900 that we 00:49:37.900 --> 00:49:38.239 can be 00:49:38.239 --> 00:49:38.719 the kinds 00:49:38.719 --> 00:49:39.339 of friends 00:49:39.339 --> 00:49:41.099 that Proverbs 00:49:41.099 --> 00:49:42.000 27 teaches 00:49:42.000 --> 00:49:42.599 us to be. 00:49:45.559 --> 00:49:46.500 Please take a 00:49:46.500 --> 00:49:46.980 moment to 00:49:46.980 --> 00:49:47.860 silently reflect 00:49:47.860 --> 00:49:49.219 on what 00:49:49.219 --> 00:49:49.719 kind of 00:49:49.719 --> 00:49:50.360 friend Jesus 00:49:50.360 --> 00:49:50.920 has been 00:49:50.920 --> 00:49:51.360 to you 00:49:51.360 --> 00:49:54.119 and after 00:49:54.119 --> 00:49:54.699 some time 00:49:54.699 --> 00:49:55.119 reflection 00:49:55.119 --> 00:49:55.739 will respond 00:49:55.739 --> 00:49:56.239 by praying 00:49:56.239 --> 00:49:56.579 out loud 00:49:56.579 --> 00:49:56.879 together.