Proverbs Study – Lesson 29 (Proverbs chapter 22:12-29)
V. 13 Someone that is lazy will think of all kinds of creative ideas of why they need to put off work till later, eventually hoping that his obligation will evaporate and disappear. The reason in V. 13 is probably one of the most creative of all. It is true that in some of the regions of the Middle East that lions were found, but this excuse is a stretch. The danger of a lion being found in such a populous and busy place is one in a million. However, the lazy person would not miss the opportunity of using this excuse, playing up the possibility of them being the one…in the million, not willing to take the chance of such poor odds. Those looking to get out of work are very creative in the making of excuses using the cold, the weather or just not being the right time of day or season for this job. Just ask your kids and see what responses you can get. It is amazing how creative these excuses can be.
V. 14 Someone that is void of understanding purposely chooses the enticement of the strange woman not realizing the pain or death Solomon warns us that is in the end. Their thought is only of the possible temporary pleasure they might find. Here, in this verse, however, it makes the point that this is one of the punishments God uses for someone that God is displeased with. Someone that is void of understanding should take note that if God allows this to be punishment for someone He is displeased with that they need to think twice about purposely considering a relationship with ‘the strange woman’ falling in this ‘deep’ pit. The deep pit is full of deceptive words and promises that on the surface sounds wonderful, but once begun there is a ‘sting’ that goes deep that does not go away. Read Prov. 7
V. 15 There is a time to grow up and become a man and there is a time or season to let a kid be a kid. The problem is when a kid does not want to grow up and deal with the real issues of life. Here it makes the point that the heart of a child is full of play and foolishness. It is natural for a young child to basically be foolish and nonsensical. However, as important as foolish play is especially when you are young, there is a time and place for everything, and sometimes the realities of life need more serious attention than a foolish approach can give. There is nothing worse than a situation that needs right now focused attention only to be played with in a foolish manor causing damage or injury, that may be even as serious as death. A good example of this is an instance when after 911 several persons thinking it would be a good prank sent white powder in an envelope to postal centers or other places scaring them with the possibility of potential anthrax. It was a foolish prank meant as a joke, but it was a joke not taken so lightly by the authorities. Those who sent it as a joke were surprised when the authorities contacted them with possible jail or prison repercussions. Foolish play is not inappropriate in all situations, but to know the difference is important. Foolishness applied to real life can be damaging and even dangerous if one is not careful. As one matures, more of real life requires the application of intentional and purposeful actions which are void and not found in the presence and application of foolishness. Having consequences for inappropriate foolish behavior is important as one matures.
V. 16 A selfish person is always looking for what is in it for them. When it comes to the poor, a selfish person sees nothing coming back from investing in their wellbeing. However, when investing in the rich, giving gifts to influence them often brings a payback when this selfish person is looking for a favor. Thinking in worldly terms this makes sense. But, Solomon tells them that they are forgetting something, there is more to the equation than that. He would tell them that in the end it does not come out that way. Solomon tells them that their thinking is counterintuitive. Their approach actually turns out the opposite of what you would think and the application of investing in the poor does in reality bring a return. He would not necessarily say that a sincere gift to a person that happens to be rich is a bad thing, but he would say playing the game of buying ones affections and interests does not always work as a game plan, and in reality usually ends up otherwise. So, his advice is to give or invest in the Joy of giving and be sincere in the gifts that you give to rich or poor. God seeing the attitude, intention and action of your giving will notice what you have done and add His blessing giving you the increase that you are looking for.
V. 17-9 Again here he gives his admonition to first ‘hear’ the words of the wise, listening intently, assuming the posture of good listening, bending and pointing the ear in the direction of the one talking so as to not miss anything, any of the details. And, second to ‘apply’ what is heard, following the ‘instructions’ of how to do it right, positioning the heart, focused fully on what you are attempting to do and the goal that you are trying to accomplish. He says in v. 18 that in doing so it will be a pleasant thing, fitted perfectly to the heart and the lips in action and conversation, making life itself pleasant. This is not to say that the application is always simple without much effort. To the contrary, the application of true wisdom is work and sacrifice, but even the application taking effort is pleasant. He says in v. 19 that the process of applying wisdom has built into it the learning process of depending and trusting on God. The application of true wisdom causes you to be patient and ‘look to God’ for guidance as to what to do and which direction to go, all the while depending on God for wisdom to be established making it a reality.
In V. 20 and 21 reminds us that the wisdom taught and given has not come from unreliable sources, but has been tested and used with certainty, found to be reliable and trustworthy in application after application. At the end of v. 21 he encourages us to share these words with others that they might also listen and apply this wisdom also experiencing its steadfastness and trustworthiness in their life situations. This is a good time for us to refocus assuming the listening ear position as we work through the remaining part of Proverbs.
v. 22-3 The poor are an easy target. They can be treated poorly and no one will take much notice, not standing up for them or coming to their rescue. The same goes for any of the disadvantaged such as those who are afflicted, handicapped or unable to defend themselves like the unborn. Someone looking for an easy target may believe that they can move in and take whatever they like, no one will notice and if they cry out no one is listening anyway, let them cry out, most of the time if heard others will just look the other way. Many homeless are mistreated in this way. But, here they are warned. God is watching and will plead their cause. It also says that the Lord will spoil them for their mistreatment of the weak and disadvantaged.
V. 24-5 Things tend to rub off on others. We tend to learn habits and accepted behavior from things and people that we tend to come in contact with. Customs are adopted. Habits are encouraged. Accepted societal behavior is established. Once established these customs and habits are hard to break. In Solomon’s day it was mainly the people that you associated with that eventually influenced your behavior. Children are very susceptible to picking up bad behavior from others, and occasionally good behavior, but…so are we as adults. Today we have other major influences that tend to have an impact on our behavior, namely the media, movies, television and computers. If one doubts the impact that these things have on our society compare the difference in politeness, courtesy, respect and social etiquette that those in our society show to others. Does violence portrayed on the big screen impact our thinking, and eventually our actions? Are we affected by the model family like the ‘Simpsons’ in accepted levels of rudeness? Seeing and associating with behavior that is less than perfect that is tolerated and/or accepted that can get us a response that we want is tempting for us to emulate.
Here we are warned about being close friends with someone with a bad habit, namely an angry temper. But, this could relate to other habits such as inappropriate language, cheating, lying, agendas that get what one may want but are not appropriate behavior. You may tell yourself that you do not have to worry about adopting such habits, but played out frequently in our presence in situations that force us to make decisions to either adopt or not adopt these actions and perspectives we generally give in and begin to act the same way. The habit mentioned in particular is one that can easily be started and hard to stop. V. 25 says that we can become ensnared not only by the outcome of such behavior, but in the behavior itself. This habit adopted can have some serious consequences.
V. 26-7 Borrowing money when you are poor is especially bad. It makes sense that when money is tighter it is a greater temptation to borrow. But here we are warned that in doing so we may lose even the little that we have, losing even the basic elements of our life. Offers like ‘buy here, pay here’ or ‘sign and drive’ or ‘pay no interest for 12 months’ or ‘0% interest’ always have a snag…you have to pay them back according to the terms. And, when you are poor and have nothing to put up for collateral then anything that you may own is up for grabs, even your bed. A loan on a hand shake is risky and all too often always ends up in another fine mess that I have gotten myself in. Here we are warned to think twice, even when we are desperate, before we sign on the dotted line. In the end may be worse than it is even in our current desperate state.
V. 28 Boundaries are important. Knowing where the line is important. It tells you what you have to work with. What you can count on. What’s yours to use. Expanding your boundaries is ok if allowed and done honestly. However, infringing on what someone else has to work with or what they own no matter how little or how much they have is wrong, or in this case forbidden. The reference in this verse probably relates to and is connected with Deut. 19:14 which forbid the moving or removing of your neighbor’s landmark which was determined and set as Israel was in the process of conquering the Promised Land as recorded in Joshua 13-22. God originally had set up the boundaries and had divided the land by the casting of lots, distributing them to the children of Israel. God the original owner of the land had given it to them to live on, to work, to enjoy and to provide for their family’s needs. It was enough to make life work well, and actually more than enough than what was needed to subsist or get by on. It was a common temptation, however, to want to take a little more. Who would know the boundary was moved just a little bit to your advantage? With just a little more, one can rationalize, you can have so much more. That little bit more can be rationalized into being right able to make ones wishes or goals be realized. There is just one problem,… it is just not yours to take. It’s your neighbors. And, it is not yours to take and have and use to reach your goals no matter how right it seems.
Although today the moving of the boundary marker may not be as prevalent, we still use the same rationalization process to move the line using other people’s stuff for our benefit without permission. We rationalize, they won’t miss it. Or, they are not using it, it is just sitting there. Or, no one will know. Or, I need it more than they do. They have enough. We know where the line is. The boundaries are set. Yet, stepping over the line or worse yet moving the boundary is tempting. What will it hurt? God would tell us that he has given us enough to do what is right. Either we already have what we need and need to be more creative in using what we already have, or there is a way to get what we may need honestly and fairly, or maybe our goals and desires are not God’s plans and they need to be modified.
In olden days it was probably more common to see the boundary moved taking advantage of the poor. However, in our day it can go either way. The poor may seem like an easy target, but the rich are often looked upon as inattentive and not needing it anyway giving us the right to move the boundary.
V. 29 A diligent man usually gets real good at his/her trade. When you think of someone being good at their trade you think of someone in the community that has a pretty good following. However, there is good, and then there is good! Here the word diligent gives the impression of exceptional, having the quality of work fit for a king. It also says that because of their level of expertise and quality of workmanship they will not be forced into making a living by serving in compromising circumstances. They will have plenty of work to make a good living without being tempted to work in obscure situations.
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