Proverbs 26

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 VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

 

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.

 To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:1-3 (NKJV)

 

PROVERBS 26: FOOLS, SLUGGARDS, AND QUARRELSOME TONGUES

Walking is an excellent way to refresh yourself.  Don’t you agree?  And when we walk with our Savior daily we feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle anything which stands in our way. 

Let’s take a walk with Jesus through the park.  (Please don’t think I am assuming I would know exactly what Jesus would say or do in the following situations.  I simply want to put into perspective how easily we can damage our souls by denying Him, becoming lazy, or quarrelling with one another.)

Now, we are walking through a magnificent park on a cool, but sunny day.  It is a very clean park with a beautiful pond abundant with life.  Our path is shaded and curves through the park.  However, the path isn’t very wide.  It is quite narrow in fact.  There is just enough room for the three of us to walk side by side.

(Proverbs 26:1-12)

We are walking along, enjoying each other’s company and the beauty of the day when we hear footsteps approaching quickly from behind us.  There is a woman jogging the path in the park and she is almost upon us.   

Before we can even consider letting her by, she starts screaming, “Get out of my way!!! What is your problem people??!! You are slower than molasses!  My grandma can move faster and dress better!” This woman is obviously a person wise in her own eyes, possibly a fool, with no honor. (Verse 12: Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.)

So, we pause.  You and I look at each other with a look that says, “We can take her.”   (Verse 3: A whip for the horse, a bride for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!)

We turn around, ready to argue with her, ready to say, “How dare you speak to Jesus like that!  He suffered and died for you so that you can be saved from death, all you need to do is stop, listen and accept him.”  But then Jesus turns to me and says, “You were once like her, why don’t we just let her pass and perhaps she will come to realize who she passed up.”

You and I move to the side to allow the woman to pass by and as she does, she slows down long enough to look Jesus up and down, roll her eyes and mumble under her breath, “You aren’t the Son of God, just some teacher. I am fine without you.” And she jogs off.

Oh! Are we upset!  We are ready chase her down and kick her into next Sunday!

But Jesus again speaks saying, “Proverbs 26:4-5 tells us, when arguing with fools, don’t answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are.  When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation.”

Okay, Okay, instead of letting her get to us, you shout after her, “Jesus loves you, and we will pray for you!”

We begin walking again.

(Proverbs 26: 13-16)

We turn a corner.  There is a water fountain to the right of us and next to it a bench.  Sitting on the bench is a capable young man who looks very thirsty.  He sees us with Jesus, and immediately smiles a knowing smile.  “Oh, Jesus,” he says. “I am so happy to see you.  I am so thirsty, but I really don’t feel like getting up to get a drink of water.  You are all powerful and I believe in you and all, so how about you move that water fountain for me.  You could put it right here in front of me and why don’t you make it a little bit shorter so that I can reach it without standing up?  Thanks JC, you’re the best.” (Verse 15: A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.)

Again, you and I exchange glances.  Who does this guy think he is?  Really?  Is he for real?

Jesus simply says, “’Proverbs 26:13 says, ‘The slothful man [creates excuses] saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.` Sir, you are able to get a drink of this water from the water fountain, and when you are ready, you can join us and I will provide you with living water.”  (John 4:13-14) “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The man’s smile fades and a “whinny look” of a scolded, spoiled, child crosses his face. (Verse 16: a sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.)

Jesus smiles at the man and continues along the path, so we fall right back into stride with Him.

(Proverbs 26:17-28)

Before long, we see two young ladies up ahead.  They are clearly in a heated discussion about something, they are both very upset.  We catch a little of what they are saying as we walk quietly by.

“You lied to me!” (Verse 28: A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.)

“But I told you I was only joking.” (Verse 18-19: Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking.”)

“Well, I didn’t know you were joking and you really made me mad, so I told Sarah your secret “

“Ugh!!!  I thought I could trust you. You are such a deceitful, gossip!  I will never trust you again!” (Verse 22: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.)

The girls are so caught up in their quarreling, that they don’t even glance at Jesus walking by.

We wonder why Jesus doesn’t stop to try and correct them when he says, “Proverbs 26:17 says, ‘Yanking a dog’s ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else’s argument.’ Those young ladies will learn how Proverbs 26:27 says, ‘If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself.  If you roll a boulder down on others, it will roll back and crush you.”

He is so wise.

We reach the end of the path and sit on a bench for a moment to reflect on today’s walk.  The woman who jogged past us earlier comes over and falls at the feet of Jesus.  She apologizes for her foolish words and disrespectful actions and asks Him for forgiveness.  Apparently someone tried to mug her, and her near-death experience caused her to realize that she is not fine on her own after all. 

It turns out the young man from the bench had picked himself up and has been following us. He falls at Jesus’s feet in repentance for his laziness. 

And can you believe it?  The two quarrelsome youths smelled the sweet smell of peace when Jesus walked by them and they too have come to worship the King with their lips instead of speaking words of hate to each other.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the path you set before me.  Thank You for those who were put in my path to grab my attention, thank You for forgiving me when I become lazy and take for granted what you have blessed me with, and thank you for the peace that radiates from your presence and from your Word.  I pray this in Jesus’s heavenly name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC  is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children.  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.