“Perfume and incense bring joy to the
heart,
And the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
(Proverbs 27:9)
Some things smell really good. Springtime seems to heighten my joy and gratitude for a sense of smell. What smells good to you? Joy smells good. The pleasantness of a friend smells good.
In Hebrew poetry, found in Proverbs and elsewhere in Scripture, the characteristic rhythm isn’t rhyming words but repetition of thought. Wisdom and truth are often echoed with the same thought using different language or deeper words, the two statements complimenting each other. Such is the case with Proverbs 27:9. As perfume and incense initiate joy in the spirit, heartfelt advice initiates awareness of the pleasantness of a friend. Heartfelt advice has a wonderful fragrance. The aroma of joy fills the air when friends sharpen each other. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Iron sharpening iron smells good.
Some things smell good to us because they are connected with precious memories. For me that list would include the smell of gunpowder and Hoppes #9 ( a guncleaning compound), the sweat of a horse, the musky odor of an elk herd, the sweet scent in a field of mountain flowers, the gentle breeze in turning the pages of a Bible, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.….often these smells remind me of fellowship with others on the hunt for truth and special conversations which included wise counsel. I also treasure the smell of campfires, because it connects me with memories of valuable discussions, precious relationships, and images of past biblical heroes sitting around the fire encouraging each other.
I’m thanking God today for friends in Christ and the great advice I’ve received from those who cared enough to share it. Godly counsel has a pleasing aroma. It smells good.
And the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
(Proverbs 27:9)
Some things smell really good. Springtime seems to heighten my joy and gratitude for a sense of smell. What smells good to you? Joy smells good. The pleasantness of a friend smells good.
In Hebrew poetry, found in Proverbs and elsewhere in Scripture, the characteristic rhythm isn’t rhyming words but repetition of thought. Wisdom and truth are often echoed with the same thought using different language or deeper words, the two statements complimenting each other. Such is the case with Proverbs 27:9. As perfume and incense initiate joy in the spirit, heartfelt advice initiates awareness of the pleasantness of a friend. Heartfelt advice has a wonderful fragrance. The aroma of joy fills the air when friends sharpen each other. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Iron sharpening iron smells good.
Some things smell good to us because they are connected with precious memories. For me that list would include the smell of gunpowder and Hoppes #9 ( a guncleaning compound), the sweat of a horse, the musky odor of an elk herd, the sweet scent in a field of mountain flowers, the gentle breeze in turning the pages of a Bible, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.….often these smells remind me of fellowship with others on the hunt for truth and special conversations which included wise counsel. I also treasure the smell of campfires, because it connects me with memories of valuable discussions, precious relationships, and images of past biblical heroes sitting around the fire encouraging each other.
I’m thanking God today for friends in Christ and the great advice I’ve received from those who cared enough to share it. Godly counsel has a pleasing aroma. It smells good.
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