December 26, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 26
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Following Scripture Verses

1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Today's Pathway:
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"As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason." - Proverbs 26:14

Solomon spends much time in this chapter dealing with the lazy man. He makes several statements about him in today's verses. First, he likens him to a door swinging on its hinges. He moves around, but he really doesn't go anywhere or accomplish anything. I find it interesting that often when a man is "tossing and turning" in bed it is because he can not sleep, but he doesn't want to get up. This would certainly be a picture of the sluggard, who would rather flop around in his bed then get up and actually do something constructive.

The second statement is that he hides his hand in his bosom and doesn't want to use it to eat. This "hiding" may be because he is cold, or because he is injured, or perhaps it is that he wants others to think that he has one of those problems. His laziness keeps him from doing the most basic things that are necessary to his survival. He needs to feed himself, but he is "so cold" that he wants someone else to do it for him. If no one else comes to his rescue, he will go without rather than make the effort himself.

Finally, Solomon talks about the great pride problem that the slothful man has. Even though he does nothing, he considers himself to be very wise. Perhaps he thinks that he is too smart to have to work. Whatever his motivation, he thinks of himself as being more clever than seven men who actually are able to reason issues through and make intelligent choices. He is a huge fool, and yet is too foolish to realize it.

Don't be a sluggard. Don't expend your energy trying to get out of work. Don't look for excuses not to do what needs to be done. Don't flatter yourself. Get busy and get done what the Lord has given you to do.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery