Genesis to Revelation: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Participant Book by Crenshaw James;

Author:Crenshaw, James;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Published: 2017-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Proverbs 26:4-5—The Response Depends on the Situation

The context often affects the way one responds to a given situation. The two verses under consideration are paired sayings that point out much the same thing. The first instance reflects on the speaker. To paraphrase, verse 4 says, “Don’t respond foolishly to a fool, because you will look foolish, too.” The second reflects on the foolish one: “If you do respond foolishly to the fool, then he will think himself wise.” Of course, those are not the only ways to respond.

Jesus touched on this issue when he advised against casting pearls before swine; that is, if someone is determined to refuse something good, don’t waste more time or resources trying. At times speaking dignifies what has just been said. Some comments should be left to die. What other responses might we make?

In all moral dilemmas and decisions, we have the opportunity to either consider the context and circumstances as part of the decision-making process. On the other side, faithful persons need also to consider the point beyond which their absolute moral, ethical, and faithful beliefs cannot be pushed. How do you determine when you’re in a “pearls and swine” situation or one in which more nurture or persistence might be effective (as in Proverbs 25:15, which advocates patience)? What are the measures or indicators that help you decide when to be flexible and when to invoke absolutes? When does the governing principle of love apply and when does it defy or push convention beyond faithful limits?

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