Not Forsaking Friends - Proverbs 27:10

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse ten of Proverbs Solomon said, “your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not” where we read,

Your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not:

neither go into your brother's house in the day of your calamity:

for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.

The verse begins, “Your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not:” Solomon began with the words, “your own friend” or “your, Solomon's readers and listeners', own personal intimate companion, fellow-citizen or neighbor”, “and your father's friend” which means “and your, Solomon's readers and listeners', immediate male progenitor and ancestor's intimate companion, fellow-citizen or neighbor”, “forsake not” or “do not leave, loose, abandon, neglect or apostatize”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to abandon their intimate companions nor their “immediate male progenitor's” intimate companion. 

The verse goes on to say, “neither go into your brother's house in the day of your calamity:” Solomon continued with the words, “neither go into your brother's house” or “no and not in any way enter your, Solomon's readers and listeners', male sibling's dwelling place, habitation and abode” “in the day of your calamity” which means “within the time period of your, Solomon's readers and listeners', distress, burden, misfortune, ruin, destruction or disaster”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to enter into their male sibling's home during the time of their personal misfortune and distress. 

Finally the verse says, “for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.” Solomon ended this verse by saying, “for better is a neighbor” or “because, since and on account a fellow-citizen or resident exists as more pleasant, agreeable, excellent and appropriate” “that is near” which means “who is kindred, at hand, approachable and more ready” “than a brother far off” or “compared to a male sibling who is remote, distant and a far space away”. Solomon concluded that a fellow-citizen or resident who is closer in proximity is superior to a male sibling who is remote and a great distance away. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are not to forsake our “friends” nor our “father's friends” nor are we to go to our relative's home when disaster strikes us. The person who is near at hand such as a close neighbor is superior to a “male sibling” who is far away. God want us to know He is near us, (See Acts 17:28; Proverbs 18:24) and He loves us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us who to rely upon Him and close “neighbors” that He chooses when disaster comes our way. 

Next time Solomon says, “my son, be wise, and make my heart glad”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".