Today’s reading could
be summed up in two phrases: “anti-evil” and “pro-wisdom.” Solomon advises not to
envy wicked people, and don’t even be around them. He discusses the rewards of
wisdom and the penalties of evil.
As we read about the
“it’s good for you” qualities of wisdom, we might start feeling about it like
kids sometime feel about vegetables or a difficult to take medicine. Solomon
puts wisdom in the proper perspective when he compares it to the sweetness of
honey (vv 13-14). Wisdom is good in the sense that it is “sweet to the soul.”
It’s not a dose of essential, tasteless, spiritual “vitamins,” but rather it is
the honey of life.
Probably my favorite
proverb of today’s reading is v. 26: “An honest answer is like a kiss on the
lips.” Consider how refreshing, welcome, and appreciated a kiss on the lips can
be. What a great verbal image for an honest answer! It is a kiss not just for
the receiver, but the giver as well. An honest answer rewards both parties in a
graceful way.
Although written by a
king, many of the proverbs recognize the importance of diligence and hard work.
Solomon ends with a story of what the fields and vineyards of the lazy and those
who lack judgment. The story highlights that there is effort involved in
establishing the foundations to provide for a family. If this is not done due
to poor judgment or laziness, the result will be evident for all to see. Solomon
cites a priority of concerns, instructing that one should not focus on personal
comfort until first attending to an income stream (v. 27). He closes by
admonishing us with how easy it is for poverty to creep into our lives. It is
our action (or inaction) that may sometimes invite the bandit of poverty to
come upon us.
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