Proverbs Study – Lesson 45 (Proverbs chapter 29:19-27)
V. 19 it’s a fact. Even though it is someone’s job, even though they are suppose to do it, even though they are getting paid to do it and the arrangement is clear, relaying to them what to do and how to do it is not enough. You will probably have to follow up on them and the job to be sure that it gets done being done right. It says here in this verse that they may even clearly understand what was said, but if you do not take the step to check to see that it was done and done right, inspecting the job, you may be surprised. But, don’t be surprised. You shouldn’t be. It is a rare person that will actually do what is expected of them without further guidance and oversight even when they know what to do. If you happen to meet someone that actually takes the step of doing what they know is their job with little or no oversight, if you are really smart or wise, you will not just leave it at that and be satisfied with this person just doing their expected job. If you are smart you will realize the gift that you have and will be sure to take care of this person moving them to a better place or position with more responsibility and better pay being sure not to spoil them. If you meet someone like this realize that they are a rare person and treat them accordingly. But…, most of the time, you will have to be satisfied with being sure that the task needed to be done is first explained and understood by a good or average worker, but there is one more thing, you will have to follow up on the job to be sure that it is done the way you would like it.
V.20 You say things that you regret or that you haven’t thought through when you speak too many words… too soon. When you reply before you have had time to think things through to the logical end it is inevitable that you will not only miss the mark but in the end will also have collateral damage. Words said in haste have no substance, form or real inherent purpose. Such words are usually said out of anger or said intended for the wrong reason such as a means of control or to impress someone. But, once said it is done. You are now bound by your words, and…fulfilling them can be burdensome and often unrealistic causing repercussions that may hurt. He gives the impression here that this is a basic foundational tool of life, that is, to think before you speak. He gives the impression that even a fool would probably have at least some understanding, giving some thought to what they were going to say. Not to do so, he says, would put one at the knowledge level to that of below a fool.
V. 21 It is a good thing to keep a certain amount of separation between labor and management or commander and enlisted. This does not mean that those with oversight should take advantage of their workers treating them unfair. But, the two do not always mix well either when treated the same in a work environment. Labor and management have different needs and perspectives both traveling down the same path together toward accomplishing a project or producing a service or product. They can relate, or spend time together, but they must realize that they both have a different part in completing the task at hand. Too much familiarity between them can get in the way of completing the task. Solomon makes the point in this verse that if a servant is pampered when they are young that it is near impossible to get them to serve as a servant when they are older. Some versions translate that they will in all likelihood rebel in the end and may become somewhat of an antagonist or enemy if pampered when they are young. In doing so they may also influence other servants or workers to expect the same pampered treatment that they are receiving. This can develop into a Big problem. He would advise us to be sure to treat people fairly and right, but would also remind us to respect the parameters and boundaries in relationships especially in a work envirnment having special considerations. Crossing the line of familiarity can and often does create tension in the relationship that sometimes cannot be remedied.
V. 22 It is one thing to speak words when you are given to temper, but it is totally another thing when it is accompanied with one’s actions. Angry words can do a lot of damage. But, high level anger through someone who has an angry personality or make up is dangerous. At the very least you can expect a physical confrontation or a fight to frequently occur. But, here it says that a man given to fury will make many big mistakes in all likelihood injuring many around them probably severely. This person can only be expected to be known as a ‘sinner’ because of their actions and will remain so until they have, with God’s help, resolved their temper issue.
V. 23 It is totally predictable and you can expect it as a sure thing, a proud person will someday trip and fall being brought low in the process. Pride can exult you or hold you up in the beginning, but one must remember that the one holding you up is yourself. When pride is the driving force you are destine to fall and when this happens there will be no one to step in to lift you back up again. You will either stand or fall on your own. However, it is not so for a humble person who has earned a reputation of honesty and honor. They too find themselves in rough or tough spots from time to time in life, but unlike the proud, when they run into difficulties that are too large for their abilities, because of the honor given to them by others, those around them will reach forward to them and lift them up in their time of need. Honor will sustain the humble, not allowing them to be forced to stand alone.
V. 24 If you become a companion to a thief for whatever reason you will live to regret it. You share in the blame and get none of the glory. No matter how long it takes for the story to be known and the thief to come to justice you can be sure that it will happen. In the meantime you will be forced to live as if you were the one that committed the crime being forced to live a life of secrecy and having to avoid things that may reveal the injustice. And, when a court date is set and you are called to testify when you are on the witness stand you will not even be able to testify to clearing yourself because of the details that you cannot reveal for fear of repercussions, things like perjury. Keeping silent is not a good thing if you know details or are a witness to a crime. Whether by choice or as a victim of circumstance the advice here is to tell what you know not becoming a accomplice to the problem.
V. 25 Fear is an emotion that can affect the outcome of life in a big way. Without healthy fear life itself can end prematurely or be turned upside down in an instant. Certain types of fear in the right amount at the right time can be beneficial and downright necessary. But, other fears can rob us of the life and things that God intends for us. One of those areas of fear is the fear that we have of others that may speak against us having the possibility and potential to do us harm. Many of our daily decision are made on the basis of our fears of the possible outcomes. What people will do if we do not do this. What people will think if we do not do that. If we do this what will others say or think. If we decide to obey God and do what He is telling us to do what will others say. Solomon says in this verse that this line of thought and action is a Big trap calling it a snare. He says that instead of fearing man and the possible outcomes we should replace that with trust…trust in something that can be trusted…Trusting in God. He tells us that if we transfer our apprehensions and fears to God trusting that he will take care of the outcome we will find that we will be safe and secure in His presence. Life begins to take on new dimensions when we do this, opening doors that we never dreamed possible.
V. 26 You cannot fully trust what a person is going to do or what they will decide. Sometimes even a so called sure thing goes south. So it is in trusting that you will get a fair verdict from a respected government official like the king, or president. Even if they have a reputation of being fair they have a lot on their mind and may not be able to give it due consideration. Solomon advises us to not forget a sure thing saying that God is completely fair and just and can be trusted to listen. As a matter of fact in bringing our case or concern before Him we may be surprised to find out that He has already reviewed it and has begun to sift through the facts and details heading toward a verdict to remedy the situation. He makes the point that we can trust that His decision will be just receiving the outcome that is rightfully ours.
V. 27 Birds of a feather then to flock together. So do those who do good tent to hang with those who are good and tend to do good things. Those who love darkness and do evil things have nothing in common with those who they would call goodie-goodies who get pure pleasure from helping others or doing what is right. Paul put it this way in II Cor. 6:14b saying ‘For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And, what communion has light with darkness?’. If you were to put the two in a glass or beaker and tried to mix them it would be like trying to mix oil with water. They just do not go together. They are mutually exclusive.
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