Devotions: Glad Tidings

 

Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.

Proverbs 27:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

The oil referenced here is the oil of anointing, also mentioned in the 23^rd psalm. It showed blessing but also protection. Shepherds would “anoint” their sheep with oil to protect them from bugs. So it was a sign of both blessing and protection. Perfume is pleasing and can put the mind and heart at ease. The word “a man” is translated from more closely refers to the soul, meaning that his advice would be heartfelt coming from someone who is closely attached to the other. It is not merely some adage thrown out by a passerby or some well meaning words given by an acquaintance, but the meaningful counsel of someone near and dear to us. This passage also references other verses that talk about not only encouragement or advice, but also correction. Being criticized by someone who doesn’t know us well, while they may be right, can be hard to take because they don’t have the connection with us that gives them a right to speak into our lives. But the correction of a friend should not only be well received (hopefully given in a loving manner), but sought after for it is our friends who keep us accountable and help us stay on the right path. So in the same way that oil (blessing and protection) and perfume (pleasantness) make us feel good or lifts our spirits, the advice or correction of a close friend is sweet to us because it can be either pleasant, a blessing or a protection from sin and harm. Whatever it may be, spoken in love from someone genuinely concerned for our well being it is uplifting to receive. Do you have a friend that gives you sweet advice and counsel? Do you give sweet advice and counsel to your friends? Make sure that what you say is to someone close to your heart, and make sure that it is spoken out of God’s love for their best.

 

 

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Translations of Greek and Hebrew words taken from blueletterbible.org