Remember Peter Piper who picked a peck of pickled peppers? I wonder what he’d choose if he picked a peck of puzzling proverbs? And how many puzzling proverbs would Peter Piper pick?
Perhaps you’ve encountered some biblical proverbs that raised questions rather than supplied insight—at least at first reading. I certainly have.
Below are five examples. (Perhaps Peter Piper would pick these too!)
PUZZLING PROVERB #1
But how is instruction like a garland or jewelry?
When we receive the wise teaching of godly parents (and our Heavenly Father), our lives are crowned with the blessing and honor of maturity, integrity, and wisdom. We also radiate to others the beauty of godliness, like a chain of distinction around our necks [1].
I wonder too if this garland on the head alludes to the peace of mind that comes from living wisely, and the chain over the chest intimates joy of heart for those who follow biblical instruction.
PUZZLING PROVERB #2
But rest is necessary. So what’s the meaning here?
It’s a warning against apathy and a lack of responsibility, because it’s so easy to:
- put off to tomorrow what we don’t feel like doing today
- avoid certain tasks because they’re challenging
- over-indulge in leisure and accomplish little
We’d do well to remember:
The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we only had leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to [truly] enjoy rest.
— Elizabeth Elliot
PUZZLING PROVERB #3
“Banquet Still Life” by Abrahan van Beyeren (1620-1690)
Is this a summary of Aesop’s fable, “The Grasshopper and the Ants,” or might there be a spiritual lesson here?
Actually, it’s both. Yes, God would have us live responsibly and save for the future, but he’d also have us share from our resources and enjoy the blessing of generosity.
The wise also store up within their spirits the choice nourishment of God’s Word and the oil of divine influence, to be ready for the work God calls them to do [2].
PUZZLING PROVERB #4
How can it be part of God’s glory (his splendorous attributes) to conceal a matter, and why is it the glory of a king to seek answers?
One reason God doesn’t reveal everything to us is this: knowledge of all things would overwhelm and frustrate our finite minds.
Second, if God answered all our why questions (like “Why did So-and-So have to die? She was so young!”), it’s likely we still wouldn’t be satisfied. We’d want to suggest he accomplish his plans some other less painful way.
But. Living with uncertainty does teach us endurance and trust as we wait for the day when all will be made clear.
On the other hand, we do well to prayerfully seek guidance for our decisions. This is especially true for those in authority. It’s to their credit to learn the facts of a matter, consider probable solutions in light of outcomes and impact on others, and apply wisdom [3].
PUZZLING PROVERB #5
But what about those saints who’ve exhibited great wisdom, yet have suffered adversity, ill health, and/or untimely, undeserved death?
Obviously, King Solomon is not suggesting that wisdom results in complete protection from difficulty. His point is, by following the wise ways of scripture, we can avoid many of the troubles and heartaches that fools bring upon themselves.
In addition, true wisdom leads us to seek truth. Truth leads to Christ, and he leads us to the way of salvation and eternal safety in heaven [4].
I wonder, do you suppose Peter Piper is wise enough to be guided by these once-puzzling, now-clarified proverbs?
Are we?
[1] John 15:10-11; 1 Samuel 2:30; https://biblestudycourses.org/proverbs-bible-study-courses-sect-1/proverbs-1-8-19-exploring-the-passage/ ; Proverbs 1:8-9 NLT
[2] Acts 20:35; Barnes Notes on the Bible for Proverbs 6:1-11; Matthew 25:1-13; Deuteronomy 8:3b
[3] John 13:7; Psalm 119:130; https://www.bibleref.com/Proverbs/25/Proverbs-25-2.
[4] Proverbs 2:3-5, 9-11; John 1:17b; John 14:6; Acts 4:12
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