Courageous Joy

Friendship in Proverbs 25

*Lots of verses here about neighbors. They speak to me of relationships, so I'm including them.

25:9 -10 Argue your case with your neighbor,(instead of a public hearing - 8)do not reveal the secret of another, or he who hears it will reproach you, and the evil report about you will not pass away.

~Revealing others' secrets will reflect on YOU (whether their secrets are true or not).

25:17 Let your foot be rarely in your neighbor's house, or he will become weary of you and hate you.

~Don't overwhelm others....but I do think that this is talking about a different level of relationship than "associate" was meaning.

25:18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against a neighbor.

~None of these things are warm and fuzzy things. They are all warlike weapons, or could be used for hunting or such but not the images you conjure up for desirable friends.

25:19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

~A bad tooth hurts - sometimes just with use, sometimes constantly. An unsteady foot isn't dependable, often causes pain, and also won't support. A faithless man/friend in the time of trouble won't be a support and may bring pain when you need him; don't put your confidence in him.

25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, is he who sings songs to a troubled heart .

~Removing a garment on a cold day negates the purpose of the garment.

~Vinegar on soda makes bubbles???? Not sure what this says about friends. I'm going to do some more looking. Soda is natron in the original. I wonder if the vinegar negates the purpose of the natron in ancient days. Wasn't natron used in embalming? I've asked some friends and will dig out some book later.

25:23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

~Have you ever noticed that a backbiter will inevitably become a very angry person?

25:28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.

~Walls provide protection. A man with no control over his spirit lacks protection.