31 Days With the Book of Proverbs: A Daily Bible Study – Day 20
“The lazy person buries a hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to the mouth.”
Proverbs 19:24
In biblical times there were no forks, few spoons, and not many knives, which were probably used by sharing with all. Rather you used your right hand, and just reached out, often with a piece of bread. You just dug in. Oh…never with the left hand…that’s another story. Wonder what they would have done with covid-19?
Anyway, although I’ve read the Proverbs numerous times, I confess I never paid much attention to this one. Who would be so lazy as to put their hand into the common pot of food, and be so lazy as not even to bring it back to the mouth? I’ll tell you who. You, me, all of us…we’ve all missed opportunities to discover more faithful and beneficial living according to God’s will!
I’m reminded of an old book titled ACRES OF DIAMONDS. The author argued that Americans are living in the midst of acres of diamonds and all we need to do is work and reach. Well, sometimes it isn’t quite that easy, but how often do we miss opportunities that stare us in the face because we just won’t act! The Horatio Alger success story is not always accurate, but the point is well taken. And it’s not just knowledge or wealth. Often it’s also physical health. You don’t have to join a gym to exercise, although it helps. You don’t need an expensive meal order plan to diet. The answers to many of our problems are readily available. If we take action. If we ask. If we listen. If we pray. If…if…if. Yep, when your hand is in the dish, why not eat?
Drew Harvey
Brody Childs on Unsplash
