Proverbs 27:11-15
 
Prov 27:11 (KJB)
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
 
Reproacheth - To taunt or abuse
 
Here the father is commanding his son to be wise. “Be wise” is in the imperative which means it is a command from the father that his children be wise so when someone makes an accusation against the child, they can be proven to be wrong by the way the child behaves himself in wisdom. A foolish child may bring heartache to his father but when the wise child is accused and is proven innocent by his lifestyle, then the father is glad because the accusations are false and it reflects upon him and his wife and the way that they raised the child. (Prov 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. This is why we train up a child both spiritually and physically, so they will not be part of any foolishness which could bring hurt upon them and the family.
 
Prov 27:12 (KJV)
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
 
Prudent - Clever or crafty (in a positive sense)
 
This verse teaches that wise or clever man will not make a decision in favor of something if he has pondered the situation and determined that there will be negative consequences. In fact, he shuns these kind of situations. However, those who are simple or naïve, do not study nor do they take precautions which will result in them facing serious consequences. This verse also contains a spiritual lesson. Those who are saved can foresee the evil, especially the day of evil, which is judgment day. Since they know that Judgment Day is coming, those who are saved are hidden in Christ. (Col 3:3 KJV) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Therefore, the wise, that is, the saved, have the foresight of the impending day of Judgment. However, the unsaved person does not care for spiritual things and only concern themselves with the things of this world. They do not see themselves as sinners and as a result, they go through life unconcerned about eternity and this attitude will cause them to face the Judgment on the last day.
　
Prov 27:13 (KJB)
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
 
Strange woman - Foreigner
 
Here this verse speaks of a person, that if he is not careful, can come to ruin. If a stranger come to this man and asks him to be surety for him, and if the man foolishly agrees, he is to take his garment as a pledge or surety that the stranger will not default on his financial dealing. However, in the second half of this verse, the same man is to take a pledge from the stranger if he chooses to become surety for another stranger. In other words, this is a chain of events. The first man takes a pledge of the stranger who in turn takes a pledge of the one who is dealing with foreigners. If the second man loses money in his dealing, then the original man who became surety will also lose because under the law he is not to keep the garment after sundown. (Exo 22:26 KJV) If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: If the man does not pay what has been given to him, then he will get his raiment back and the original man will be out his money. This verse basically speaks about the warning of becoming surety. It is unwise to become surety for someone we know, never mind for someone we do not. Wisdom must be applied to all earthly transactions and if we lack wisdom in that area, then we should not delve into it.
 
Prov 27:14 (KJB)
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
 
While this verse may be used as a cudgel for us to be quiet in the morning, it goes much deeper than that. We must be very careful how much praise we heap on anyone, including our friends, simply because it may be considered a method of flattery to gain some kind of advantage. It states early in the morning. The earlier that one gets up, the earlier they begin their flattery and that may also be seen as some type of evil methodology. In the last part of the verse it speaks of being “counted” as a curse to him. It is not saying that he is cursed but it would be considered a curse if he continues to flatter or make all kinds of adulation and sweet talk on his friend because to others it would look like he had ulterior motives.
 
Prov 27:15 (KJB)
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
 
Dropping - A leaky roof
Contentious - Disputer
 
Just as a man cannot move around inside his house because of the steady rain that is coming in from the roof, he cannot escape the continual disputings of his wife. They both bring much consternation into the life. This contentious woman may also have a great spiritual meaning. The contentious wife may be compared to those Christians who live to debate other Christians. They may teach only the judgment and never teach the blessings and joys of being saved. They are never satisfied and they always bring others down to their level of contention. It seems the joy of their salvation has eluded them and they have taken on a more miserable form of religion. Religion is always going to be argumentative against Christianity and it is a shame that many Christians mix religion with true Christianity and therein lies the great contention. Those churches which have these kind of Christians make it hard to get away from them which is like the steady rain coming in through the roof.

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