Pr. 26: What Happens to a Fool

Proverbs 26:23 "Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. "

Here is a pretty straightforward and generally entertaining read. Most of chapter 26 deals with the fool, and how not to be like him.

Honor is unfitting a fool. He gets a rod to the back as natural as a man uses a bridle for a horse.

You lower yourself to his level if you answer his ridiculous nonsense, and in turn make him feel wise when he's not. When he speaks, proverbs in his mouth are useless. Like legs to a lame man, like a thornbush in hand.

Does he learn? No. He's like a dog returning to its vomit. For whatever reason unbeknownst to anyone, he does it. And it makes no sense. What's worse, he thinks he's wise for it.

The sluggard takes a beating hear to. He lays in bed like a door sits on hinges. Turning occasionally, but never going anywhere.

It's not right to deceive someone, and say you're joking. If you joke, joke, but not at someone's expense or harm. Its madness. Not Sparta.

Gossip :: Quarrel as Wood :: Fire.

A coating of glaze over earthenware...very interesting metaphor for fervent lips covering an evil heart. The words someone says may sound good, but disguise his wickedness inside. The liar is sometimes hard to spot. But when it's broken, and the cheap junk is inside...you can tell. Which is why you don't always take words at face value.

Pr. 20: God Knows

Proverbs 20:15 "Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."

Don't overdrink. You become a mocker and a brawler. Note that beer and wine are not forbidden. Just don't be led astray. (v. 1)

So many people fight for honor. Proverbs flips that. Avoiding strife is the honor. Any dope can quarrel. (v. 3)

Didn't plow or plant? Don't expect to harvest. (v. 4)

An understanding man draws his heart's purpose out of deep waters. (v. 5)

Nobody hasn't sinned. But you can be blameless. (v. 7, 9)

Unfair weights and scales are detested by God. You don't want to be a part of any activity God detests. God is well aware of what people are doing. (v. 10-12)

I love sleep. I guess I will be poor. (v. 13) No, this speaks to the sluggard, who does nothing all day.

Lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel, even compared to gold and rubies. Wow. (v. 15)

Don't make plans on your own, it is wise to seek advice. (v. 18)

If you don't want to become a victim of gossip, avoid those who gossip. (v. 19)

Don't make hasty vows. Can you cash that check? (v. 25)

Discipline purifies. (v. 30)

Pr. 6: Practical Warnings

Proverbs 6:5 "Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler."

Here is some more practical advice. The first section is a caution against debt. Being in debt itself doesn't appear to be a sin, but if a person is so deep into hock that it is detrimental and dangerous to himself, the command is given to free oneself. And not tomorrow, now! (Allow no sleep to your eyes, v. 4) Being in bad debt is being in a trap, and you must escape. Not by just bagging it and abandoning everything, which would become theft, but to plead your case to the person you owe.

Laziness takes a hit here too, as the writer considers the ant, who works all day without an overseer, without a slavedriver. Driven by nothing more than the will to survive, ensuring it's own survival, not counting on the ant next to him to share with him. Sure, we'll encounter charity, and possibly be on the receiving end of it, but it shouldn't be for lack of effort. Slothfulness begets poverty and scarcity.

Plotting evil in secret leads to disaster. Secret signals and unspoken cues are necessary when you are planning to waylay some poor soul. You can't just plot evil out in the open...the wise will be onto you.

God hates six things...no wait, seven things.

• haughty eyes
• a lying tongue
• hands that shed innocent blood
• a heart that devises wicked schemes
• feet that are quick to rush into evil
• a false witness who pours out lies
• a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

That is a list that seems ok by me. I'll hate it too. And I pray I'm never a part of those things. Peronsally, I think I have the most trouble with devising wicked schemes. My neighbor's dog barks a lot. I have plotted many a wicked scheme, most of which involved separating the dog from it's life. Never followed through on them. I just think my neighbor is old and frail and can't hear or doesn't realize her dog is barking. Like the rest of the neighborhood does. That's not to make excuses, I shouldn't plot like that.

Apparently chapter 5 wasn't enough of a warning against adultery, so it's ill effects are compunded here in the 6th chapter. Adultery leads to destruction. A prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread. You are her food, her sustenance. Nothing more. Its not a relationship, its subhuman. There are consequences to adultery, and I love the coals-in-the-lap thing, kind of like an STD? Also, when you lust after the neighbor's wife, watch out for the jealous husband, he will get his measure of revenge on you. Someone bedding your wife is just about the most serious thing that can happen to a man, at least here in Proverbs. All you want is vengeance, and no bribe or compensation will allay that rage.