As the family manager, a man needs to know what he owns, and what condition his possessions are in, to lead wisely. Moreover, he needs to care for what he owns in order to preserve his livelihood. Proverbs 27:24-27 go on, poetically, to advocate preserving one’s income. read more
C. A Discourse on Prudence 27:23-27This poem recalls the earlier discourses in chapters 1-9. In this one, Solomon gave some basic and practical advice designed to assure success in the context of Israel’s most common occupation: animal husbandry. The essentials stressed here are the care of one’s resources, hard work, and a recognition and appreciation of God’s provisions. The reader should apply these essentials to whatever occupation he or she may pursue. These are the basics for wise living... read more
Sundry Observations. Agriculture4. Envy] a husband’s jealousy is meant (Song of Solomon 8:6). 5, 6. Men ’hide’ (RV) love when they refrain from telling a friend his faults. An enemy will be ’profuse’ (RV) in deceitful kisses: Judas kissed Jesus much (Matthew 26:49; RM). 7. The Spartan king told the tyrant Dionysius that the broth was nothing without the seasoning of fatigue and hunger. 8. ’East, West, hame’s best.’9. Sweetness of disposition is desirable when it arises, not from mere emotion,... read more
(23) Be thou diligent to know the state of thy herds. . . .—In the last five verses of this chapter the peace and security of the pastoral life are described as being far superior to the uncertainty attending other sources of wealth and the regal power. For the spiritual sense of this passage comp. 1 Peter 5:2-4 read more
A Threefold Cord (for the First Sunday of the Year) Proverbs 27:1 This is not a commonplace. Nothing in God's Word is commonplace. Nothing inspired by the Holy Ghost could be commonplace. If you think it is a commonplace sentiment, I can tell you are commonplace. It is the deepest and truest philosophy of life. 'Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.' And it is the very best philosophy by which to stimulate us Christians for the beginning of the new year. First of all, there is the... read more
CHAPTER 28LIVING DAY BY DAY"Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day will bring forth."- Proverbs 27:1"The grave and destruction are never satisfied; and the eyes of men are never satisfied"; and LXX adds, "An abomination to the Lord is he who sets his eye, and undisciplined men uncontrolled in tongue."- Proverbs 27:20"Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof, so he that waits on his Lord eats of the honor."- Proverbs 27:18HERE is a wholesome lesson for us.... read more
V. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO SOLOMON In the three chapters which follow 27-29 we find the change we have noticed before. These proverbs are addressed to a person and the phrases “My son” and the personal address, “thou,” “thy” and “thyself,” are again used in these chapters. Like the previous sections, so here we find instructions which were given to Solomon. CHAPTER 27 Instructions and Warnings The opening proverb warns against procrastination. No one can be sure of what the next day may bring... read more
HERE THE SUBJECT matter is completely changed. No longer is the outside opposition of the enemy found, but any dangers now considered are those arising from the state of our own hearts. This third section therefore is that of the sanctuary, though the language here may veil this somewhat; yet it is the inner state of the soul with its proper refuge in the presence of God that is here indicated. This is plainly the Leviticus section, where the holiness of God ' s presence leads to honest, real... read more
This division of the book is introduced in the first verse of chapter 25, as the “proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out.” What these words mean it is difficult to say, except in the general sense that the teachers of Hezekiah’s period selected and gathered together wise sayings that had been written, or handed down orally in previous generations. They may have been those of Solomon only, and yet his name may be attached to them simply because they were now... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 27:23
23, 24. flocks—constituted the staple of wealth. It is only by care and diligence that the most solid possessions can be perpetuated ( :-). read more