Proverbs Study – Lesson 37 (Proverbs chapter 26:13- 28)
V. 13 When one is lazy and does not want to do something one can make up all kinds of excuses why they can’t do it or it can’t be done. Often at first blush the excuse given sounds plausible, but when given a little more consideration and especially considering the source it is easy to see that this person just has an aversion to work, …any kind of it. A truly slothful or lazy person is just plain lazy. It appears that quite often they seem to work harder at getting out of work than it would be to just do the work.
In this verse he uses the excuse of a ‘lion in the streets’ which sounds a little farfetched and it is, but in that day may not have been totally out of the question. However, the benefit of taking a chance and going outside to work far outweighs this remote risk. King Solomon’s proverbs concerning the slothful although true are comical. The picture or image of the lazy that he attempts to convey in v. 14 is easy to visualize and is an accurate description of one plagued with this disease. You can sleep your life away if you let yourself. The longer you stay in bed the harder it is to get up and get moving, turning over again and again like a hinge on a door. V. 15, however, separates the pro lazy from the amateur. The pro truly is lazy, he won’t even act to benefit himself, even if little effort is needed. To justify this lifestyle v. 16 says that you have to be a master of deception deceiving yourself seeing yourself wiser than wise. A true sluggard will defend their reason and rational to the death in their own eyes even though the wise give good and wise arguments and reasons otherwise. Like a fool, a sluggard can’t be swayed by reason.
V. 17 It is tempting to stop and help those in need when we pass by. Some things can use our help and assistance, others are better left alone to work themselves out. So it is with strife. It is never as easy as it first appears to resolve strife and contention. The moment after you enter in to help instantly you wish you hadn’t. Right away details begin to surface telling you that this isn’t going to be that simple to resolve. And, the longer you’re in it the more surfaces that wasn’t evident initially. But, now you are stuck, you are part of the contention that wasn’t yours to begin with. Solomon gives a great analogy here. He says it is like taking a dog by the ears. Ouch. A dog’s first reaction to you grabbing their ears is to bite you. When you enter into someone else’s strife those in the initial confrontation can turn on you. He is not saying here that it is never appropriate to help resolve strife between different parties. But, you better be sure that you enter the situation with both eyes open being aware that you who were originally not a part of the situation or problem can very easily become part of the contention not being able to exit the strife as easily as you entered. Often it is better to go in the opposite direction of a dog that can bite instead of going toward one with the intention of pulling their ears and seeing what will happen.
V. 18-19 I was just kidding. This is a big one…some of the most untrue words ever spoken. So often we mean what we said or did with the motive and intent behind it exactly as it was delivered or done and when confronted about what happened and the attitude that went with it the words come out ‘I was just kidding’, ‘I did not mean anything by it’, ‘I did this in jest’, ‘I did this in sport’. But, there is a problem with this. We did mean it, what was said and how it was delivered.
This is a very valuable tool and technique used by many done with evil intent allowing them to do or say something and yet to be able to dodge the bullet of inquire about what was done by saying ‘I was just joking’ giving the impression that others should know better than to take them serious on this issue. But, we know them and the intent came through loud and clear. But, what do we say to their comment of it being just joke? It is hard to refute such a statement. It is not like they are saying they did not say or do it. Saying I was just kidding takes the incident into a gray area, one nearly impossible to disprove. It takes an action that by itself may be wrong and shifts it into the area of intent which can make the incident not an offence, but sport or horseplay almost giving the situation the flavor of being a ‘term of endearment’ saying ‘I thought you knew me better than that’. In V. 18 Solomon says that they just got away with murder using the word death in his observation. It is sad. We all use this technique from time to time. However, some use it more skillfully than others being able to at times literally slay their victim and walk away Scott-free. Political pundits night show monologs are good examples. It gets a good laugh, but is often meant to injure or maim their target.
V. 20 Sometimes you just can’t figure out what the trouble is. There is strife and confusion and discord and the reason for it is not obvious. Those involved are usually not that contentious. As a matter of fact they are never that way. But, boy things sure are quarrelsome now. More times than not if you stand back from the situation you will see that there is some outside influence initiating the situation causing trouble. Frequently that person is someone telling tails,…with their spin on it starting a fire. A fire will usually die out if there is no wood to keep the fire going. So it is if the talebearer or gossiper is taken out or removed from the strife full situation. When removed the situation will almost always begin to calm down and eventually the fire of contention will go out. Family situations frequently have this dynamic having one or more continuing to fuel the fire keeping the situation going. Quite frequent the one causing the trouble is not a part of the immediate family but can be a good friend or an extended family member. V. 21 goes on to say that another reason for strife is someone who is just plain contentious in spirit. This person is not happy unless starting the fire of strife. Wherever they are a fire is sure to begin. Even if nothing was happening before they got there. And, if some form of strife already exists even if it is a minor affair the contention is soon to escalate often beyond belief. Sometimes the best thing you can do in this situation is to shoo the contentious individual away to start trouble somewhere else.
V. 22 Everyone wants the inside scoop. It’s only natural. If someone asks if we want to know a secret our first reaction is to stop and listen. Even if a secret is overheard in conversation we most often stop what we are doing or saying and get real quiet so that we hear what is being shared. There is something about it that is appealing at first. Solomon says that it is sweet like candy or as appetizing as delicious food. The words of a talebearer are delicious food at first going down into our innermost being. But, in the end it is as eating poison afflicting wounds not only in us, but also the one the story is about as well. Knowing a so called secret at first is sweet, but once said even if found out to be a false statement it leaves a lasting impressions that is hard to change even after the truth is known. Even after you remind yourself that the information was false there is still that down deep doubt that is hard to erase. Gossip tastes sweet and is pleasurable to share and receive in the moment, but does not digest well.
V. 23 Sometimes things aren’t what they first seem. Sometimes something can catch your eye or your attention looking or sounding marvelous only to be found out later to be cheap and not at all what it seemed. Solomon says that smooth talk can at times hide a heart that is not at all what it seems. He likens it unto a cheap clay or earthen pot that is underneath worthless and is covered by another cheap substance that looks great, looking much better than it is. The covering referred to here is a cheap imitation of impure silver made of lead oxide that from a distance looks great, but once evaluated is not at all what it appeared to be. Like lead, the outcome in actuality can be toxic even though it has all appearances of pretty and nice. A smooth talker can sound real good if you do not examine what is said and who is saying it close enough. The underlying intent of the person doing the talking may not be at all what it seems. Solomon admonishes us to be wise savoring what is said, considering the source evaluating if they are really for real or just a cover up and a con. He goes on to say in v. 24 that the same can go for someone who is actually harboring hate. On their face they have a smile. They say kind words…in a pleasant tone. But in their heart is meanness and hate. He says that this person carefully crafts their words, making them sound kind and sweet, but if analyzed and evaluated they are words that divide and sow discord. V. 25 goes on to remind us to remember and consider the source saying that when they speak pleasantly in reality they have not one evil agenda or purpose, not two, but seven or multiple evil agendas being full of trouble. V. 26 continues by saying if we are patient enough and watch long enough though they be extremely good at their trickery and deceptive way at hiding their true intentions it will come out and be exposed. Not only will it be revealed in subtle ways exposing their true intentions, but eventually their pride will do them in doing something foolish on a grand scale in a public setting exposing their heart. A good example of this is Haman found in the book of Ester. When you read these few verses in the last part of chapter 26 we find that almost every detail that Solomon describes here is found in the account describing Haman, even the end result of his evil intents. Eventually evil intent and malice will surface and be found out usually coming out publically.
V. 27 reminds us that what goes around comes around. What you sow is what you eventually will reap. If we sow good Solomon again and again reminds us here in Proverbs that we will receive the benefit. If we harbor malice or hatred or meanness eventually it will come back to hurt us. He uses the analogy of digging a pit and falling in and rolling a large stone that once it begins to reverse direction it will come back toward us with such force that it will overcome us.
V. 28 reminds us that we should not be deceived being naïve. Those who tell lies about others harbor hate toward them and even if they smile and apologize when the truth of their evil intent comes out don’t be so quick to trust them. All of a sudden they may make out to now be your best friend when in reality nothing has really changed in their heart. People can truly have a change of heart, but in doing so there really is a change in their actions and not just in what is said. A little patience in observing a change of heart may be helpful in determining their true intent. A smooth talker is a smooth talker especially when they are in a bind.
The Proverbs in this section deal with situations and wisdom relating to the realm of a king or judge or someone in authority. Those in these positions often encounter people that can look real good on the outside, but are not at all what they seem. It takes a special wisdom to navigate this area of life. These Proverbs are helpful.
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