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Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

The Bible has a lot of prohibitions against bragging. The person who loves to brag on their own accomplishments, their great feats, is in a very dangerous position. Goliath mocked David, and boasted:

1 Samuel 17:44 Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.

Goliath filled himself with himself, with his own power, with his own prowess. David on the other hand emptied himself. Rather than boast back to Goliath, he bragged on the power of God in him:

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (LSB) David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF YAHWEH of hosts, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have reproached. [46] This day YAHWEH WILL DELIVER YOU INTO MY HANDS, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the camp of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, [47] and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh does not save by sword or by spear; for THE BATTLE IS YAHWEH’S, and He will give you into our hands.”

Goliath’s power and size were given to him by God. That which we have, be it beauty, or wit, or charisma, or power, the station we occupy in life, these all come from the hands of God. “Pride goes before destruction” we are told in Proverbs 16:18. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace” notes Proverbs 11:2. If you have been given great gifts, give God the praise, not yourself.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was walking on the palace roof garden one day, not praising God but praising himself for the glory of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, built the massive walls, temples, and palaces in Babylon, and ancient writers like Berossus noted that he built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Viewing his domain, Nebuchadnezzar bragged while standing on this pinnacle of Babylon:

Daniel 4:30 (LSB) Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal house by the STRENGTH OF MY POWER and for the GLORY OF MY MAJESTY?

The King said “I MYSELF” built this kingdom. Yet Nebuchadnezzar did not defeat Judah and take Israel because of his power. The Bible says that:

Daniel 1:1-2 (ESV) In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, NEBUCHADNEZZAR KING OF BABYLON CAME TO JERUSALEM AND BESEIGED IT. [2] And THE LORD GAVE JEHOIAKIM KING OF JUDAH INTO HIS HAND, with some of the VESSELS OF THE HOUSE OF GOD. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

Nebuchadnezzar did not rule Israel because of his military prowess. He ruled Israel because Judah had turned away from following God under King Jehoiakim (Eliakim), an evil ruler (2 Kings 23:37; 2 Chronicles 36:5). Jehoiakim literally cut the Bible up with a knife and burned it, mocking God (Jeremiah 36:22-23). Despising God’s Word and trusting politics over repentance, God punished Jehoiakim and Judah by turning them over the Nebuchadnezzar. God gave Israel over – it was Divine judgment.

As Nebuchadnezzar bragged on himself, God acted. Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, God spoke:

Daniel 4:31-32 (LSB) King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is said: the KINGDOM HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM YOU, [32] and you will be DRIVEN AWAY FROM MANKIND, and your [place of] habitation [will be] with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you know that THE MOST HIGH IS THE POWERFUL RULER over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever He wishes.

Nebuchadnezzar became like a beast, losing all senses. Brag on yourself, and put yourself in danger of losing everything. This is what we learn from our text.

Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a STRANGER, and NOT THINE OWN LIPS.

Honor means more when it comes from an outside source. There is an old German proverb that says:

Self praise stinks,
A friend’s praise limps,
But a stranger’s praise rings!

The greatest danger we see in praising ourselves is that it feeds the flesh, and leads to bad decisions. In Isaiah 14:12 and following we see the account of the fall of Lucifer the Archangel. Satan is now the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) and the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), but he was at one time the Prince of the Angelic Hosts. Created by God to lead the angels in worshiping God, Lucifer the son of the morning began to brag on himself and his abilities. Our God condemned his arrogance, saying:

Isaiah 14:13-15 (LSB) … you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. [14] ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I WILL MAKE MYSELF LIKE THE MOST HIGH.’ [15] Nevertheless you will be brought down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.

Lucifer was cast out of Heaven by Michael, another Archangel. He lost everything bragging on himself. He will one day find himself in the recesses of the pit, a place called The Lake of Fire, where he will remain throughout all eternity.

Proverbs 27:3-4 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a FOOL’S {ĕvîl, pro. ev-eel’} WRATH is heavier than them both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but WHO IS ABLE TO STAND BEFORE ENVY?

The Bible often uses the word “FOOL” (Hebrew ĕvîl) to describe the perverse person, someone who loves and celebrates evil rather than obedience to God. Those who are unrighteous and who celebrate lawlessness are like those rioting in Michigan. They endanger themselves and others – it is best to stay away from them. They attract others who do dangerous things out of misled though sincere lawlessness. Eliphaz the Temanite told Job:

Job 5:2-3 (KJV) wrath killeth the FOOLISH {ĕvîl} man, and ENVY slayeth the silly one. I have seen the FOOLISH {ĕvîl} taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

He recommended that the wise stay away from these people. It is a bad idea – not heroic but bad – to charge at an incite law enforcement officers. There have been several shootings in Minnesota because groups of people verbally or physically attacked armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers. The shootings would not have occurred had the rioters not been there. Eliphaz said “I’ve seen them killed because of their perversity. I stay away from their HABITATION, the places they frequent”. What was his prescription if there is perceived injustices? Eliphaz said:

Job 5:8-11 (KJV) I would SEEK UNTO GOD, and UNTO GOD WOULD I COMMIT MY CAUSE: [9] Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: [10] Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: [11] To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

In the early days of the Church, Christians were ordered by the local law enforcement to not speak of Christ. Rather than riot and shout and throw things at law enforcement, Peter and the other Apostles focused on our God, saying:

Acts 5:29-32 (KJV) Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN. [30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. [31] Him hath God exalted with His right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. [32] And WE ARE HIS WITNESSES of these things; and SO IS ALSO THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM.

Those who are ĕvîl or perverse have nothing concrete to tie their mission to, so they shout and scream and do lawless things. They speak from a position of envy. Rather than honor God with the blessings they have, and seek God for other blessings, they through force of estranged emotion try to wrest control from others, whether right or not. When confronted with truth they, like Pilate before them, say “What IS truth?” (John 18:38), just before crucifying an innocent Man.

A STONE is heavy, and the SAND weighty

If you hang around with those who are ĕvîl or perverse, you will find yourself carrying another man’s STONE or another woman’s SAND for no good reason. Stone and Sand are used in building, but without the mortar of God’s truth you are carrying dead weight. And you might find yourself with a bullet you didn’t want. The Bible says:

Psalm 107:17 FOOLS {ĕvîl} BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANSGRESSION, and BECAUSE OF THEIR INIQUITIES, are AFFLICTED

It saddens me that people are being shot by law enforcement in Michigan and in other places. I despise the loss of any life. But the fact remains, dear friends, you will never be afflicted if you stay away from the perverse. The worst thing that has ever happened to me in Church is I have had my feelings hurt! If you want to protest something, go become a part of a Church and pray with other believers that God will touch our nation.

Proverbs 1:7 The FEAR OF THE LORD is the BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE: but FOOLS {ĕvîl} despise WISDOM and INSTRUCTION

The perverse do not want to hear of God, nor of the Scripture. Stay away from those who are ĕvîl. Do not befriend them, but share the love of God in Christ with them. Pray that the Holy Spirit, through Christ’s Gospel, will reach them before it is too late.

Proverbs 27:5-6 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

In our modern world people hate to be corrected. They want only words of affirmation and encouragement. Not too long ago a local pastor had a son who “came out” as gay. Rather than stay with what the scripture stated, this pastor began to preach that there is nothing wrong with such a lifestyle, that it is fully endorsed by Jesus. Nothing is farther from the truth. Certainly as a father that pastor should continue to love his son, to embrace him but not his life choice or errant desires.

As Christians, we are to love people, and do good toward all. But we are to love people enough to tell them the truth, the Scriptural truth, even if it offends them. “Let God be true, and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

A friend will tell you the “God’s honest truth”, even if you are angered with him. My commentary notes:

“If a friend genuinely loves a person, he will not refuse to correct him. Genuine love, paired with humility, compels a person to correct his friend when necessary. A “love” which stays hidden because it lacks the courage to call out sin or danger is weak. The point is not that every expression of disagreement is loving (Proverbs 15:1, 4, 28). Rather, Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) is saying that it’s more loving to offer constructive criticism than to hide that love with inappropriate silence.”

Those who always speak words of tolerance and afirmation reguardless as to whether your action is Biblical or not do not love you. They are moral cowards. Christians are to be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). We are to constructively speak to correct those we love, to share what God has said, but not from self righteousness or pride. The Apostle wrote:

Galatians 6:1-3 (ESV) Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [3] For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

We are all subject to fall, subject to get off course. We are not to be superior in our manner, but to scripturally supply the truth to those we love, even when that truth is deemed harsh. We are to be tactful but genuinely loving (Proverbs 15:1, 4, 28; Ephesians 4:15) but not critical or harsh. We need to approach the errant the way we would want to be approached if we err.We need to use the Word of God, and not our opinions or our emotions in the correction. In truth, someone who practices a lifestyle different from that which is presented in the Scripture does not harm or effect me in any way whatsoever. Love them enough to tell them. Then step back, and let God be God.

Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

In ancient times, honey was considered a great blessing from God. It was often eaten directly from the honeycomb. Honey was given as gifts to kings (Genesis 43:11). When God led Israel to Canaan, He promised them great blessing. He said:

Exodus 3:8 (KJV) I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY …

In days when there was no sugar, HONEY represented the blessings of God. God’s Word and God’s Way are described as HONEY:

Psalm 19:9-10 (ESV) the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; SWEETER ALSO THAN HONEY and DRIPPINGS OF THE HONEYCOMB.

Psalm 119:102-103 (ESV) I do not turn aside from Your rules, for You have taught me. 103 How SWEET ARE YOUR WORDS to my taste, SWEETER THAN HONEY to my mouth!

We live in a country today that is the most prosperous in the world. Even our poor people are overweight! People are full. We live in prosperity and relative peace. In our country, unlike many of the countries in the world, we as Christians are not persecuted for our faith. Jesus spoke of it this way:

Matthew 16:24-27 (ESV) If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [26] For WHAT WILL IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD AND FORFEITS HIS SOUL? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

We have satiated ourselves on material things. We satisfy our souls with the Internet, Social Media, Social Justive Warriors, Influencers, Material goods, Comfort. We are full. The Churches have, in many cases, become like unto what Jesus said of Laodicea:

Revelation 3:17-18 (ESV) For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” NOT REALIZING that you are WRETCHED, PITIABLE, POOR, BLIND, and NAKED. [18] I counsel you to BUY FROM ME gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

When we are too full, too satisfied, too comfortable, we do not need God nor His Word. This is not a blessing, but a curse. When God gave Israel “a land flowing with milk and honey”, He also gave them a land filled with enemies. God gave, with the milk and honey, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. When God led Israel out of Egypt, He led them to an impassable Red Sea, through harsh deserts without water, into acrid climates where the water was undrinkable. If God loves us, why aren’t we always comfortable, satiated, pampered?

Because we would in time turn away from what is most important.
We would turn away from walking with God, loving Him.
Trusting Him through the various trials of life.
Enjoying the pleasure of His Word, the Bible.

Pastor Charles Spurgeon said:

“Sweet is liberty to the captive, and when the Son makes you free, you are free indeed; sweet is pardon to the condemned, and proclaims full forgiveness and salvation; sweet is health to the sick, and Jesus is the great physician of souls; sweet is light to those who are in darkness and to eyes that are dim, and Jesus is both sun to our darkness and eyes to our blindness.”

Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but TO THE HUNGRY SOUL EVERY BITTER THING IS SWEET.

To those who love Jesus, Who realize the great gift of salvation, even the trial is sweet. We are not destroyed by the trial, but are strengthened by it, seeking to grow closer to our Lord because of it. The Bible says:

James 1:2-8 (ESV) COUNT IT ALL JOY, my brothers, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS, [3] for you know that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

My Bible tells me that “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Did Enoch have hard days? Though the Bible doesn’t say, I’m sure that he did. There were days when Enoch – who lived to be 365 years old – didn’t feel good. Days when he had a cold, or upset stomach. Days when people mistreated him, or family abandoned him. Suffering effects all of creation, and all people (Job 5:7; Romans 8:22). Jesus said, “In this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE” (John 16:33). He didn’t say “You all BUT ENOCH will have trouble”. Jesus Himself had trouble. Enoch had trouble. But what does the Bible say about Enoch?

Hebrews 11:5 (ESV) By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken HE WAS COMMENDED AS HAVING PLEASED GOD.

Enoch didn’t trade the honeycomb for the material. He clung to God so much, that God clung to him. “TO THE HUNGRY SOUL EVERY BITTER THING IS SWEET”. Imprisoned and headed toward execution, the Apostle Paul wrote “I have learned, in whatever situation I am, TO BE CONTENT” (Philippians 4:11). The bitter was sweet to Paul, because no matter what happened, it led him closer to God.

You do not come to God unless you are hungry. But to those who are hungry, to those who thirst, Jesus bids them “come”. Before the Prodigal Son returned home, he had to feel hunger (Luke 15:17). Are you hungry for the Lord? Or have you satiated the appetite of your soul on the temporal things of this world? Solomon had great wealth, but considered it useless (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11). The rich man in hell had such a twisted soul, that he wanted no more than a drop of water to cool his tongue (Luke 16:19-24). Oh that God would touch every heart, and show you the greatest gift of all is to walk with Jesus in His Kingdom. May God draw you to Jesus and to the Word of God today.