Poetry – Proverbs 26-27

A maelstrom of feelings churns within me as I read our passage for today.

While I feel joy at being affirmed in my long held beliefs and am glad to be reminded that they stem from the Bible, I also feel apprehension at being reminded that having and upholding these beliefs is one thing, actually living them is another.

I can preach about them and believe them till I’m blue in the face but how well do I actually parallel them in my life? And if these I do not apply these beliefs in my life, how will they benefit me?

Hence, the more I read our two chapters for today, the more firm my beliefs grow and the more I check myself to see if my actions match my beliefs. Then, with this checklist constantly before me, I strive to attune action with conviction.

This is pretty much the process we should be going through when we read the Bible so I invite you to walk through this journey with me today as we read

Bible Passage:  Proverbs 26-27

Hard work

The first item on our checklist is something I must humbly admit I fail miserably in. In fact, my father once directed me to another verse in Proverbs.

Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise, (Prov 6:6)

So you can imagine how l-a-z-y I must have been.

Unlike me, I believe many of you, readers, are hardworking, diligent people thus may raise an eyebrow and wonder why it’s necessary for me to talk about this. However, for the sake of those lazy people like me out there, do allow me to bring out the reminders from our chapters today.

The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”
As a door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy man on his bed.
The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. (Prov 26:13-15)

An exaggerated caricature of a lazy person is drawn here and lets us know what a lazy person is like – he finds ridiculous excuses to justify his laziness, he makes a lot of noise but gets nowhere and he does not complete what he sets out to do. Are you guilty? I am.

Although these chapters do not talk about the end of the lazy man, I’m sure we remember what Proverbs chapter six says. Thus for people inclined to laziness (myself included), let us keep these in mind and constantly remind ourselves to shake of this ‘lazy monster’.

For those who are already hardworking, maybe we would like to use this as a reminder not to be tempted into laziness and also at the same time ask ourselves what we are working hard for.

Helpfulness

The Bible exhorts us to channel our hardworking nature into helping others. Meaning to say, we work hard not just for ourselves but for those around us – giving instead of earning. The most obvious recipients of our help would, of course, be those in our care. We are exhorted to

Be diligent to know the state of [our] flocks,
And attend to [our] herds (Prov 27:23)

Also, we have to

[…] sharpen the countenance of [our] friend (Prov 27:17)

And

[…] wait on [our] master (Prov 27:18)

Our help is rendered in the forms of caring for those in our charge, pushing our peers to improve themselves and serving our seniors or superiors (or everyone in fact).

It’s not for nothing though, for the Bible promises us that our flock will in turn care for us, that in helping our friends we help ourselves and that we will be honoured in our service.

Best of all, when we do all these things for the sake of God, He remembers and even without repayment on earth, we know we will receive an even better reward from Him in the future.

Honesty

We end with the most prominent message the two chapters have to tell us which is also a personal motto of mine – honesty.

There are many vivid descriptions of honesty and its antithesis, deception, in these two chapters.

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
Is the man who deceives his neighbour,
And says, “I was only joking!” (Prov 26:18-19)

Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works ruin. (Prov 26:23-28)

Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Prov 27:5-6)

As I read these, I’m even more convinced of the importance of honesty thus will continue trying my utmost to be honest to those around me, to myself and most importantly, before God.

As you read these chapters, are you making the same resolution as well?

Because our God is such an honest, truthful God, He too desires that His children be likewise. Today, as we walk on our heavenly path, let us learn to treat everyone with honesty in speech, deeds and thoughts for

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight. (Prov 12:22)