Please read Proverbs 26.
Meditate on verses 1, 14, and 26.
Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
As a door turns on its hinges,
so does the sluggard on his bed.
Though his hatred covers itself with guile,
his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
As there are
three heroes in Proverbs, there are also three villains: the Fool, the
Sluggard, and the Wicked. These three are all present in the parade of sayings
found in chapter 26.
The Fool
It is wrong,
even hurtful, to honor a foolish person. From the perspective of the whole of
Proverbs, the fool cannot change.
The
Sluggard
The sluggard
is so selfish and lazy that he does not contribute to society. He is only
concerned about himself. He does not care about his name or working to take
care of others. He is a user of others for the sake of his own laziness. The
book of Proverbs does not hold hope for the sluggard to change.
The
Wicked
The wicked
man is not so lazy. He is actively selfish in furthering his evil agenda. He
has a plan to counter all that is good. He hates God and goodness. In the book
of Proverbs redemption for the wicked is not discussed. Thankfully, we have the
New Testament perspective where God changes all who believe in Jesus as their
LORD and Savior. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, God revealed His plan to elevate the
lesser things. In verse 27 and following it says, “... but God has chosen the
foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things
of the world to shame the things which are strong ... that no man should boast
before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus who became to us wisdom
from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”
Jesus is the
hero! He makes the foolish wise. He makes the wicked righteous. He makes the
sluggard into a hardworking servant.
As a faithful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7), pray Proverbs 26:1,
14, and 26 with confidence for those you know God can change.
“LORD, make _______ fitting of honor.
LORD, make _______ get out of bed.
LORD, make _______ cease from wickedness.
In Your name, Jesus~”
The WATCHMAN on the
WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell
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