King Solomon, Is Donald Trump a Fool?

Here we have a post about Donald Trump. Here we also have a post about friendship on a blog about the wisdom of King Solomon. Since the focus of scatterwisdom’s blog is the Book of Proverbs (and I don’t have anything to add to the commentary on Donald Trump), I think I will do what I can to add to that part of the post that relates to Proverbs and friendship.

When I was young, I was that guy standing by the wall without a date watching the dancers twist and turn (Twirling was out of fashion then.). At such a time we have at least three choices.

1. We can feel sorry for ourselves.
2. We can wonder what compromises the popular people have made to become popular.
3. We can strive for wisdom.

Because it is painful, being a wallflower teaches us a lesson. The pain hurts, but what matters is learning the correct lesson.

Proverbs 18:24 is translated different ways. Each translation teaches a slightly different lesson.

Proverbs 18:24 New King James Version (NKJV)

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Here we are reminded that to have friends we must be a friend. Nevertheless, some friends matter more. Yet consider the different emphasis in this translation.

Proverbs 18:24 English Standard Version (ESV)

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

What is taught by both translations is true enough, but different eyes — different translators — see different things. We see different truths. If that is true of different people translating the same Holy Bible, it must also be of each of us when we study our Lord’s Creation.

Therefore, we do well to pay close attention to our friends, particularly those who show an honest concern for our welfare.

Proverbs 27:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

What happens when we are sharpened? God hones our character by arranging it so that that part of us that does not contribute to a good character is worn down.

If we are wise, we let our Lord work upon us through our friends. Otherwise, He will work upon us through someone. Even our enemies can grind away the undesirable parts of our character. However, our enemies will do so with less concern for our hurt.

Proverbs 27:17 English Standard Version (ESV)

Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.

Therefore, even though I sometimes disagree, I thank scatterwisdom for his sharpening commentary.