Proverbs 26:9-10 Danger!
Unfelt and of little consequence but can cause great damage. This is the result of trusting in a worthless person; in word or deed. “Danger Will Robinson!”
I’m sorry. Many of you may not recognize that ‘quote’ but I can’t help thinking it every time I say the word “danger”. They just go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s from the old television show, Lost In Space and the robot always says it when things get hairy.
When reading the first verse I started imagining what would happen if a thorn were to go up into the hand of someone who was drunk. First, alcohol dulls the senses so I imagine the pain would be minimal if any at all. Second, when the pain finally came, they would have no memory of what caused it and maybe not even know its source. The thorn might be left there for days where it would become infected. If the person had been alert, and dealt with the issue immediately, MUCH suffering would have been avoided.
So it is with a proverb in the mouth of someone who is ‘dulled’. There is little understanding of the meaning. It may even be thrown about to make the speaker look good. But without sitting and listening to the wisdom that lies within, the proverb can be used to wound instead of warn. It might even be used to convince on that evil is good and good is evil.
Consider the ‘proverb’ “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die.” This is often quoted to justify engaging in whatever brings one pleasure instead of tending to the things that need done or even remaining ‘sober minded’. This saying comes from parts of scripture but when taken without its surrounding verses, it can be perverted. The “fool” would use it to his benefit; to justify anything he wanted to do. He would call to others to join him and bring them down too. Thus, a proverb meant to warn becomes a weapon of destruction. Check out GotQuestions on this topic.
This is also the “archer who wounds everyone”. This archer shoots indiscriminately. His arrows fly without regard to where they will land. No one, not even those of his own ‘army’ are safe. Talk about being hurt by “friendly fire”!
Reading this brings to mind the gossip; even the ones you will find in the church. If he/she will talk about others TO you, they will talk about YOU to others. They are an ‘equal opportunity’ wounder. No one is safe in their presence or within their sight.
Something that I worry about is being the one shouting what I think the proverb means and leading others astray with my words. I was just talking to God about this before ‘diving in’ to His word. This world is hungry for someone to ‘tickle their ear’ and will grab hold of anything that sounds good. I DO NOT want to tickle ears. I want to touch hearts instead. My GREATEST desire is for God to use me in some way to encourage, strengthen, enlighten, and draw people to Him. I have a feeling that correcting might come in there somewhere too. His word is for ALL these purposes. I PRAY I use it properly!
Father God, help me understand and take in the lessons You are bringing me to in Your word. Don’t let me pay ‘lip service’ only. Help me stay still as Your word shapes and colors my life. Let me see You work in me. Let me leave all the words that have wounded behind me and grow in Your likeness; as You intended me to be. Be a watch over my heart, mouth and hands Holy Spirit.
