Pass the Salt

(Proverbs 27:9 KJV)  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

In Matthew Henry’s Commentary verses 9 and 10 are lumped together.  When I read them as a unit I noticed that my frame of reference changed.  Verse 9 by itself seems to be talking about how our friends can make our life better.  Verse 10 seems to focus on how we support our friends.  This is another case of both/and instead of either/or.

I have a tendency to look at things through the paradigm of my experiences and feelings.  That is natural.  I can’t get inside your head.  I can’t really feel your pain.  The problem is when we get locked there and refuse to come out.  We become narcissistic. 

So?  We are called to be “oil” (8081) and “perfume” (7004) to the hearts of others.  That is what Jesus meant when he talked about being the salt of the earth.  Although we can be strengthened by others, out ultimate inner power comes from grace and the work of the Holy Spirit.  We are supposed to pass it on.