Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.
Message: Lazy Messenger
Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.
What the Lord is Saying: These Proverbs mostly explain the problem with being wicked and the advantage of being righteous. Most lead with a "not-to-do" followed by a "to-do." That contrast is fundamental to most of these proverbs, but I’ve noticed in chapter 10 the author deviates from that method at times. Verse 22 spoke about blessings from God. And now, here in verse 26 is an outcry to the lazy person.
Vinegar to the teeth and smoke in the eyes as mentioned. I think of both of these as being an irritant. And as an irritant, it makes life uncomfortable in that moment to where nothing else works, or can't function easily because of that disturbance.
And this is spoken of a person who has been sent or is on a mission or is a messenger and that person is lazy. In other words, this is a person that has a job to do, has a task that has been assigned to them and rather than being efficient or proficient in doing that task, instead, they are not doing it which means they are now being called lazy.
In my mind, this is something I struggle with. Assignments are given to me or tasks and I do some task quickly and some tasks are not done quickly. I put them off and then I find myself even at times wasting time or doing things that are not really important or even not that important at that moment based upon the task that has been given to me. I need to be doing the best I can but instead, I’m finding excuses to not do those things that are important.
And so yes, most definitely, this person is an irritant. This person has potential and could do the task, but they are choosing to do other things.
As a manager, I’ve seen this in employees, and it can be at times a hard thing to address. Rather than being blunt and saying they are lazy, often I dance around it by speaking gentler admonitions, but the idea is the same.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this verse. It hits me hard. I am quick to judge others rather than staring at myself, realizing that I too struggle with this. Forgive me Lord for pointing this out and not looking back at myself. Help me to change Lord and help others as well. I want to improve. Praise you God. Amen.
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