An Atypical Command

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Father tells us not to boast, but if someone else wants to praise us, we must let them.

Of course, we must love the praise that God gives us more than what comes from men.

“for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:43‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Interestingly, KJV uses the word ‘praise’ instead of ‘glory.’

The other strange part of that verse is that God praises us. God does not worship us, obviously, but praise is different. Google defines praise like this: “express warm approval or admiration of.”

And isn’t that what kind people do? “We are so proud of you!” “I knew you could do it!” “You are such an amazing artist!” We are emulating God’s example when we do that.

I think I know why we naturally encourage and praise each other. It’s because God made us in his image. He made us (and continues to make us) like him. And kindness / encouragement / praise is what he did first.