Hasty in Speech

For Friday, March 14, 2008
Proverbs 29:20

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

This is a harsh indictment against a person "hasty in his words," considering the low opinion the proverbs have for the fool. What is it that is so terrible about such a person?

He stirs up trouble. When a fool acts up, he mostly is holding himself up for derision. The person who speaks hastily stirs the water, causing others to become troubled. He makes a smart-aleck remark that cuts. He throughs out an opinion that embarrasses. He draws a quick, false conclusion that slanders. He pretends to have knowledge that in truth is false and misleading. He is hasting with harsh words that wound and offend.

Thus, he continually offends and stirs up trouble. At least a fool is seen for a fool and his behavior has limiting impact. The "hasty" speaker will likely be spotted for a fool but only after the trouble he has caused. And even when his reputation is established, his words remain offensive.

There is little hope for him because he does not connect the trouble with his tongue. He blames others for misunderstanding him, for being overly sensitive, for being judgmental and biased. Even if he does acknowledge the connection, he still does not curb himself. He accepts that he causes misunderstanding, but he "can't help himself." What he really wishes is to be accepted for who he is.

Meanwhile, he talks and talks and talks...

Necessary Discipline

For Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Proverbs 29:19

By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.

There are those with a "slave mentality" who take opportunity to slouch on the job and steal from their employers and fellow workers. Such persons do not respond to instruction nor to reasoning. Rebuking them as no effect. Their problem is not a lack of understanding nor the need for more training. Their problem is that they are lazy and self-serving. Then, to defend their behavior, they complain about too hard of work given, bad conditions, and unfair treatment. Teachers see this in certain students, as well.

Again, to reason with them will not suffice for they do not want to work. Thus, discipline is needed. They cannot be reasoned with, nor motivated positively. Because they are self-centered, they will at least avoid the negative consequences of punishment. That's the way it is.

Wisdom is then required to discern what is effective with different persons. We are a society of second and third and fourth chances. It is good to keep trying with individuals who are troubled, but we must be careful not to harm them by withholding discipline. A lazy person is headed for disaster if he is never allowed to be disciplined or receive consequences for his behavior. If we keep giving chance after chance to change without consequences, we reinforce in his mind that he deserves his good opportunities that come without having to work.

Prophetic Vision

For Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.

The prophetic vision is the word of the Lord given to instruct people what God requires of them, as well as giving knowledge about himself and his promises. When there is no such word, people will naturally do what is "right in their own eyes." There are no warnings by which to restrain their behavior. There are no promises to motivate them to do what is right. There is no instruction to give them understanding as to what is right and wrong.

To give such a word was the role of the prophet - from Moses to Nathan to Elisha. But it was also the role of Aaron the priest, of David the king, and of Ezra the scribe. They exercised their role not in receiving new revelation, but by carrying out, enforcing, and teaching the prophetic word, which once given became the law.

As this proverb points out, a people need prophetic vision. They need revelation from God to know him and to obey him. But they also further need the will to obey. And so they need prophet to reveal the vision, priest to enact the vision, ruler to enforce the vision, and teacher to instruct on its full implications. And they need to become the keepers of that law. Such a people will be blessed.

We are such a people in Christ. For Jesus Christ is the Word revealed; he is the prophet who presented the vision; he is the priest who carried out his own visionary sacrifice; he is the king who now enforces his word; and he is the teacher who explained his visionary work. Now he calls on us to be a people who keep his commandments. Let us do so today.