BUTTER . . .
“As churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”
Proverbs 30:33
The term butter is mentioned only two times in the NIV Bible. There seems to be some confusion about whether the Bible writers were speaking of curdled milk, cheese, or what we consider to be butter. It’s unlikely that the butter in the Bible would either taste like our butter or look like it. Certainly it would not be found in neat quarter-pound sticks or individually wrapped pats.
A simple way to make butter is to pour heavy whipping cream into a jar and shake very well (similar to churning it.) Eventually you will see the butterfat separate from the milky buttermilk. After further kneading and pressing out additional water, you may add a pinch of salt. You will have butter similar to that on your kitchen table.
Our Bible reference today uses butter to lead us to an important truth about Christian living. In this proverb by Agur, he speaks about getting along well with others and not stirring up strife or hatred. Constant churning produces butter. Constant twisting of another’s nose produces blood. So constant nagging, teasing, or stirring up anger with someone else produces friction and conflict. Wise words from a wise man! Solomon put it this way in Proverbs 26:21, “As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.” Paul spoke about this very thing when he wrote in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Wise words for us today too!
From: Precious Words of the Bible by Reynold R. Kremer