Proverbs 27
Proverbs 27
Proverbs 27 fits right in the middle of a section of Solomon’s Proverbs starting in chapter 25 through chapter 29. As I read these proverbs, they always remind me of riddles. The thing about a riddle is that you must often repeat it over and over in your mind, yet once you figure out the answer it’s hard to figure out how you missed it.
Proverbs are not often immediately obvious and are meant to be memorized and pondered. A lesson can often be gained at an immediate glance, but as you consider and inspect the elements of the proverb, you realize that each one is deeper or more applicable than you thought.
Take for example, verse 7, “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” Solomon is contrasting two types of people, a full person and a hungry person. Consider also that the full person is loathing honey—who does that? Honey is good by itself, but it’s better used to benefit other food items. Bread is good, but bread with honey is awesome; tea is good, but tea with honey is awesome, etc.
Solomon contrasts this full-loather-of-honey, with one who is hungry. This person experiences the sweetness associated with honey, even when eating something bitter, why? Because when you’re really hungry, satisfaction and survival go hand in hand. You are thrilled to eat anything.
Ok, so let’s think about this, is this proverb really about eating? Sure, you can say that, it definitely rings true. However, let’s apply this proverb to affection. Think about a person who is full with affection, say from parents, spouse, other family and friends—basically appropriate sources. They don’t need anything more, but they may not appreciate how sweet it is. However, if a person is starved for affection, they appreciate any act of kindness.
More than food, I think this proverb is about appreciation. How thankful are you for what you have in every area of life?
What proverb stood out the most from chapter 27? What is God challenging you to do about it as you’ve spent time thinking about it? Also, write, “I got it” if you figured out the riddle from above.
By: Tyler Short
Proverbs 27 fits right in the middle of a section of Solomon’s Proverbs starting in chapter 25 through chapter 29. As I read these proverbs, they always remind me of riddles. The thing about a riddle is that you must often repeat it over and over in your mind, yet once you figure out the answer it’s hard to figure out how you missed it.
Proverbs are not often immediately obvious and are meant to be memorized and pondered. A lesson can often be gained at an immediate glance, but as you consider and inspect the elements of the proverb, you realize that each one is deeper or more applicable than you thought.
Take for example, verse 7, “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” Solomon is contrasting two types of people, a full person and a hungry person. Consider also that the full person is loathing honey—who does that? Honey is good by itself, but it’s better used to benefit other food items. Bread is good, but bread with honey is awesome; tea is good, but tea with honey is awesome, etc.
Solomon contrasts this full-loather-of-honey, with one who is hungry. This person experiences the sweetness associated with honey, even when eating something bitter, why? Because when you’re really hungry, satisfaction and survival go hand in hand. You are thrilled to eat anything.
Ok, so let’s think about this, is this proverb really about eating? Sure, you can say that, it definitely rings true. However, let’s apply this proverb to affection. Think about a person who is full with affection, say from parents, spouse, other family and friends—basically appropriate sources. They don’t need anything more, but they may not appreciate how sweet it is. However, if a person is starved for affection, they appreciate any act of kindness.
More than food, I think this proverb is about appreciation. How thankful are you for what you have in every area of life?
What proverb stood out the most from chapter 27? What is God challenging you to do about it as you’ve spent time thinking about it? Also, write, “I got it” if you figured out the riddle from above.
By: Tyler Short
3 Comments
I got it!
Then tell me!!!!
Great application Tyler! Thanks for pointing out how good the proverbs are on a surface level, but how great they can be when you dive deep and really get to what they're getting at. This highlights the necessity of Bible Study and meditation.
Also, I got it. :)