Solomon writes in Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (KJV) “Iron is sharpened by iron, And a man sharpens the face of his friend.” (The Scriptures) Just what is Solomon telling us?
A number of years ago I ran a saw and tool sharpening shop so this verse intrigued me. What did it mean, “iron sharpeneth iron?” Metal tools, “iron” or steel, were sharpened with abrasive wheels and belts. How was “iron” sharpened by “iron” and how did that relate to sharpening the countenance of his friend?
As we come to understand these 12 words that Solomon gave us we will grasp some of the importance of this instruction, this proverb.
Long before grinding wheels and the use of abrasives, sharpening was done in a completely different way. Instead of taking metal away by grinding, the edge was restored by heating the “iron” to a red or white hot condition and a cold “iron” or metal hammer was used to forge a new edge. This is much like a farrier shoeing a horse where a bar of metal is heated until it is quite hot and then is shaped by pounding it with a large hammer on an anvil. In the same way a metal tool was sharpened, the edge was hammered by a large, cold “iron” hammer.
This proverb is a comparative proverb, using an example to explain a principle. To paraphrase this proverb we might say, “AS, in like manner, in much the same way, as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the face of his friend.” So, how does “pounding” a new edge onto a tool relate to “sharpening” the countenance , or face, of one’s friend?
In our English language the word “countenance” has as its primary definition in Webster’s dictionary “the look on a person’s face that shows one’s nature or feelings.” We might define it as the expression on the face and by that we mean a transmission of something felt or thought.
Notice a few Biblical examples that helps us understand this. Neh. 2:2, “Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart....” And, then in verse 3 he responds, “...why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place o my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste,...” His sadness, his sorrow was known by the very expression on his face.
Proverbs 15:13 states, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” When one is happy the expression on the face makes it plain. A totally different expression is found when one is sorrowful.
So, back to Proverbs 27:17. I think we can begin to see that Solomon is saying that we can effect the expression on the face of our friend, we can “sharpen” it. But, how do we do that?
Read a positive example, found in 1 Sam. 1. This is the story of Hannah who didn’t have any children. We read of her praying to the Father about this and Eli, the priest, saw her and thought that she was under the influence, that she was drunk. After she explained he responded and told her that her petition would be granted. Let us notice verses 18. “And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.”
By his words Eli had “sharpened her countenance.”
The Messiah stated, John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” This is not “love” from afar, but a personal, close relationship. There needs to be close contact, just as “iron” had to come into close contact with “iron” to sharpen it. Read through Romans chapter 12. We are all the many members of the body. We have different “offices” or functions. For some it is ministering or serving, to some it is showing mercy, to others it is being “kindly affectionate.” To still others it is being hospitable. In verse 15 we are told to “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
If we are not getting close to others we can’t read their countenance, the expression on their faces. We won’t know and understand their trials, or fears or hopes or even the blessings they are experiencing. We won’t and can’t be effectively ministering to them, showing them mercy, being kindly affectionate, seeking their well being. In other words, we are not able to sharpen their countenance.
Let us look at one more verse together. 1 Thes. 5:11, “Wherefore comfort (the margin in my Bible and several other translations render this “encourage”) yourselves together, and edify (build up) one another, even as also ye do.” For one’s countenance to be sharpened a change has to take place on the inside. What is felt and thought has to undergo a change. Many times all it takes is a few words of sincere encouragement.
Most have heard the expression “strike while the iron is hot.” Pounding on a cold iron implement won’t sharpen it. The smith, the sharpener, is able to know when the “iron is hot.” Likewise if we have a close relationship with others, with our friends, we will be able to read their countenance and know when the “iron is hot,” when they need and are ready to receive sharpening.
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