Proverbs 10:26-28, Three Characters – Three Themes, Contrasted!
May 2, Proverbs 10:26-28
Matt. 25:1-13; Rom. 8:24-25 “Wherefore, give diligence to make your calling and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:10).
Three Characters – Three Themes, Contrasted!
In verse 26 we meet the sluggard once again who is nothing but an irritant. In vs.27-28 we have two more familiar characters, the righteous and the wicked, and the themes of the longevity and brevity of life are portrayed.
1. Faithlessness for the Sluggard: It was only an errand! Yet, he is good for nothing, but setting the teeth on edge, or bringing tears to the eyes (v.26). He is totally unreliable to those who trust him (contrast with 25:13). This is a three-part proverb. Two of the items mentioned are quite common, minor things, while the third is stressed in the proverb. Vinegar upsets the teeth and smoke hurts the eyes, so we should avoid, like the plague, this lazy lout! He is nothing but an irritation to his master. Every believer’s life is like a field entrusted to him and to be cultivated by him for God’s glory. Weeds, too, are common, minor things, but when neglected will damage the whole field. May you never serve your heavenly Master as this sluggard does his. Don’t ignore the little irritations any more than the big ones! “He who is a Christian in little things, is not a little Christian. He is the greatest Christian, and the most useful” (Arnot).
2. Brightness for the Saint: To those who fear, that is, reverence God, long life is promised (v.27). Therefore, a strong desire for long life is not necessarily sinful. Yet some have difficulty with this. There are Scriptures that speak of early departures as a blessing. These, however, are special cases. We must distinguish between things that may be in themselves desirable, and those that become good by God’s sovereign choice. Also, we see young saints departing, while old sinners remain to go on in their sin. Our trouble is our limited view of things. If we could see the big picture, we would find that those who fear the Lord do live many years to serve Him, and He throws in gladness (v.28) for good measure. What if we should soon be called to the higher sphere? Surely this is no cause for grief, but everything to rejoice in. “If we live, Jesus will be with us; if we die, we shall be with Jesus” (CHS). Such a motive should make believers desirous to use life to the full, giving to “every flying minute, something to keep in store” for the Lord and for eternity. Is not the best way to lengthen life to live long in a little time?
3. Darkness for the Sinner: The expectation of the wicked shall perish (v.28). Happiness here and hereafter is the hope of us all, but the sinner continues to hope, even though he has no ground for his hope (Deut. 29:19). He still expects the door will be opened to him after it has been shut forever. I know you not (Matt. 25:10-12). Life is both a trust and a talent, and if abused, it is often taken away. Sinful-living has the tendency to shorten life, but it also frustrates the things hoped for, the expectations, of the wicked. They are “for ever dreaming of heaven, and waking in hell” (Bridges)! Well may we pray for long life for the wicked that they may have space to repent and come to salvation, for otherwise their expectations must forever perish.
Thought: “Nothing is trivial here if heaven looks on” (Haumer).
Prayer: Lord, hold me to shine for Thee wherever I am.