Monday, June 29, 2026 ▫ Read Proverbs 25:23–28
Questions from the Scripture text: What surely
brings what (v23a)? And what else surely brings what else (v23b)? What is
better (v24a)? Than what (v24b)? What is refreshing to whom (v25a)? What else
is refreshing to whom else (v25b)? Who (v26a) is like what (v26b)? What is not
good (v27a)? What else is not good (v27b)? Who (v28a) is what (v28b)?
What must we watch against, as a
friend? Proverbs 25:23–28 looks forward to the midweek
sermon. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must watch against being a “friend”
who is harmful rather than a blessing..
Don’t be a gossip. For them, the north wind (v23a) was a welcome
indicator that they would finally get the rain that they needed. And there is
something much less welcome, but just as certain: gossip destroys
relationships, changing the face from a smile to scowl (v23b). Our friend’s
name must be safe in our mouth.
Don’t be contentious. There is no greater blessing than a good wife. But
one who is always arguing, always nagging, always complaining, always criticizing…
she performs a wonder: she transforms the corner of the housetop into a
desirable place to dwell (v24a). Ordinarily, the roof was pleasant to visit
when the sun had gone down, to take advantage of a breeze. It was not a good place
to be at all times, particularly in the heat and sun of the day. But, better to
dwell there, than with contentiousness (v24b)!
Don’t be negative. Others’ souls are weary (v25a). They need the cool
water (v25a) of good news (v25b). There is an obvious and easy way to be one
whose speech is like this: speak often of the Lord Himself, His character, His
work, the gospel of His salvation, His promises. We have all known the one who
always has a new bit of bad news. That just parches the weary soul all the
more!
Don’t be spineless. The righteous man is a blessing to those around
him, but this blessing becomes all the more urgent in the face of wickedness.
The metaphor of a refreshing drink carries into v26. If, when his righteousness
is needed most, he falters instead (v26a), the “help” of his righteousness is
corrupted. Can you imagine, going to take a sip from your water bottle and
getting a mouthful of pond scum instead (v26b)? This is what it’s like when the
righteous are spineless.
Don’t be self-promoting. Honey is a blessing. In many places, Scripture
identifies it as both sweet and nourishing. But this is the second time in the
space of 12 verses (v27a, cf. v16) that there is a caution against overindulging
in it. Similarly, it is a blessing for those around us that we would have a
good reputation. But a good reputation is that of a man who seeks God’s
glory, rather than his own. Seeking one’s own glory brings not glory but shame
(v27b).
Don’t be self-indulgent. Finally, self-control is as necessary as a city
wall for protection from a most dangerous enemy: the sinful inclinations of our
own spirit. Cities are good for mutual defense, as long as the city wall is
intact. But without it, the city goes from being a protection to a hazard, as
all those people are now gathered into something of a kill-box. So also,
friendships with the godly can be a help in defense against our own sin. But,
if we are self-indulgent, instead of self-controlled, we increase one-another’s
danger, rather than decreasing it.
We have focused on the sort of friend that we ought
to be, but the passage is also very instructive for what sorts of friends to
choose and to spend time with. And it is a reminder of what a great blessing it
is that Jesus Christ has become, for us, the Friend Who sticks closer than a
brother. Not only is He the perfect example of every virtue, and not only has
His righteousness been counted for us, but He is genuinely our best Friend, and
living in fellowship with Him is the way that, by His grace, we may be genuinely
good friends to others.
Who are your friends? What sort of friend are you to
them, by these standards? What sort of friends are they to you?
Sample prayer: Our gracious
God and our heavenly Father, thank You for giving to us Your own Son, our Lord
Jesus, to be the Friend Who sticks closer than a brother. Please grant that we
would be friends such as He is, and that we would have friends such as He is,
by His own grace in each of us, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will
Reside?” or TPH73B “Yes, God Is Good to Israel”