May 27

May 27 - Today from Proverbs 27 we look at verse 17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Those who are skilled in the craft of honing can do a quite superb job with two knives. The principle lies in stroking the cutting edges of the blades along side one another in a manner that the edge becomes keener and more defined in the process. The skill comes in knowing the direction, angle and consistency of the strokes. Notice the wording of the proverb. What it does not say is what I have often heard taught from this proverb, ". . . so two men sharpen each other." No, it clearly says, ". . . so one man sharpens another." In the agrarian culture of the Bible times, sharp knives and instruments were of prime importance for getting the harvest in. The farmer would be familiar enough with his instruments to know which were the best of quality, and would usually use his best quality instruments to sharpen the others.
If animated, the higher grade iron could not boast over the lower grade iron - it simply was forged from a better grade of iron. We see this in Jesus teaching in the parable of talents (Mat. 25). However, when applying Biblical moral principles to the two instruments, we must conclude that the higher grade instrument has greater responsibility. Besides all of its other regular uses, it would also be its responsibility to see that the lower grade instruments stay sharp. We also realize that both instruments are of value only in the skilled hand of the farmer. Thus, I believe, we come to the point of the proverb.
Remembering that this proverb was specifically written down for instruction to leaders, I believe the message is for those with greater authority, ability, and responsibility. They are to remember that ability and authority comes from the Lord, therefore one who possesses it has no room to boast or to treat others with a superior attitude or with contempt. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who being in the very nature of God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped." (Phil. 2:5,6). Jesus was the instrument of perfect grade and temper, superior and supreme in every way. "But made himself nothing - taking the very nature of a servant." (vs.7). He took on the overwhelming responsibility of yielding himself to the Father's hand for the sharpening of all of the other instruments in the Farmer's household. He took the very nature of a servant, and he calls His disciples to follow His example. Those with authority and ability are to use those gifts to sharpen others with lesser ability. There is only one way in which this can be done - contact! When God became the Superior Instrument for sharpening all instruments in His household, He became Immanuel, "God with us". "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death. . . " (vs.8). Such is the task and responsibility of a leader. He is to die to self, and yield his authority, ability and resources to the Father for the purpose of building others up, for raising the quality of life for others, for keeping them sharp so that they too can be effective instruments in the Farmer's household - through contact. Calling, serving, teaching, mentoring, praying with and over, ministering - these are contact actions. Jesus is still incarnate today as His Spirit abides in His body - the church. Leaders must be Immanuel - in contact in order to be effective.
We are each of us leaders in some arena. We must discern that arena and submit ourselves and benefit from those who are specially gifted and placed in positions of authority, and we are to use our gifts and ability to encourage and build up those around us who may be getting 'dulled' from stress, abuse and lack. God wants every instrument in His household sharp and fulfilled in function. We are all responsible to one another to see that this is an ongoing process. In order to properly achieve this, we must submit ourselves one to another according to the authority and gifting which God has distributed in the church. Discovering these things takes time, effort, commitment and structure. But it's so worth it! When all of the instruments are sharp and functioning for their intended purpose, there comes a harvest! Isn't that, after all, what we are earnestly praying for?