Tuesday 27 September 2016

Psalm: Psalm 15

Background

The book of Proverbs has a very different flavour to many otherbooks in the Old Testament. Whereas many of the histories andprophecies contained in other books paint a broad-brush picture ofGod's relationship with the people of Israel, Proverbs focuses onthe outworking of this covenant relationship in very specific,everyday situations in the lives of individuals. This means thatsome proverbs seem positively prosaic - but they demonstrate thatthere can be no separation between our relationship with God andour thoughts and behaviours in the most mundane ofcircumstances.

Large sections of the book of Proverbs are devoted to the way inwhich God's people should live together in community. This isperhaps one of the clearest threads to run throughout the Bible,from the opening chapters of Genesis when God creates a secondhuman being as "it is not good that the man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18) to Paul's famous image of theChurch as the Body of Christ with many interdependent members (eg1Corinthians 12:12-27) to John's vision in the book ofRevelation of the nations united around the tree of life (Revelation 22:2). This passage emphasises theimportance of honesty and integrity between friends, especiallywhen truth-telling is painful. Yesterday's passage warned of the dangersof people who meddle in quarrels that are not their own; today'swarns of the dangers of staying silent because we are afraid ofhurting or losing a friend. Of course, this works both ways - awise person must be able to discern when an "open rebuke" (v. 5) isthe most loving approach towards a friend, but must also be able totake what they dish out. To a "ravenous appetite" (v. 7) - someonehungry for open and honest dialogue that will help them to grow -even words that taste bitter initially will become as sweet ashoney.

To Ponder

• Think of a time someone criticised something you did or said -how did you feel?

• Think of a time you offered someone constructive criticism. Howdid you decide they needed to hear it? How did they respond?

• Are there times when it is best to keep our thoughts toourselves, even with friends? If so, why?