The Way of Politics?
There is a passage in Proverbs 16 that reminds me of the current state of politics in our land and the way that we tend to view things. It is sometimes telling to view the way that we act in light of what has been written for us. Proverbs is a practical book, one which expresses for us in the most condensed fashion, a proper way to look at what is going on around us. Leave it to the Lord to hide in plain sight how he sees things.
First, we see that hunger actually motivates us to complete our tasks. With our great emphasis in this country on consuming lots of food at any and all times we hardly think along the lines that it might be making us "lazy". We would prefer to sit at our desks and consume our lunch, or snacks, while we work all the time thinking that we don't have time to get away. This has the effect of making us think we are effective while all the time reducing our effectiveness. We are unwilling to wait, wanting tone satisfied now. The result is an ever increasing waistline and an inability to accept that we could be more effective by not indulging.
Proverbs 16:26 (NASB)
[26] A worker's appetite works for him,
For his *hunger urges him on.
Next, we see that the political way of digging up "dirt" on the other candidate can bring the other guy down but in the end is a worthless endeavor because it avoids the real job that we should be doing. It also says what is really the motivation behind the attacks. That the one who digs up the "dirt" does not have the interests of the constituents in mind, but is only interested in getting into the seat of power, by hook or crook. This goes for both parties in this land.
Proverbs 16:27 (NASB)
[27] A worthless man digs up evil,
While *his words are like scorching fire.
Next, we see that the politician that seeks to cause ill feelings over a matter ("spreading strife") is not straight forward with the people. Instead of discussing the matter, this politician will slander the other viewpoint to get their way. This is in order to not have to discuss the real issue at hand which might let someone have a chance to think about the action to be taken. Then the truth might come out. Hence, the label of "perverse" which means deviation and distortion of what is straight and right.
Proverbs 16:28 (NASB)
[28] A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
Next, the politician who incites the gullible, or the naive (the word extends to those who are drawn away by their own vanity, or are easily induced to sin and doing the wrong thing, self deception), by persuading them to do something which is not right is not on the straight and narrow. This person is deep down, a man of violence or one who is wrong or malicious. This is a person who does not exhibit truthfulness unless you dig much deeper such as what would be done in a trial. Notice that the overall effect is to take someone down a path that is not good for them to go down.
Proverbs 16:29 (NASB)
[29] A man of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
Next, we have the politician that winks with one eye, which generally denotes deception. The key here is to watch what they do, not what they say. The term perverse here is one that means to deviate from the Lord's ways in general. The result being a general turning away from His principles and laws. We need to be very careful of where we are being led. The person who "compresses their lips" is very similar in that they have a mocking, malicious, or deceitful intent. This again is a person who is pushing to have things happen that deviate from the ways of the Lord.
Proverbs 16:30 (NASB)
[30] He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
Next, we come to our obsession with youthfulness. It would seem that as we grow older in this country the more we push to appear to be younger. That is pretty much opposite of how the Lord looks at it. Notice that a grey head is a crown. Something to be admired, especially if in light of the previous verses that person has shown righteousness, the doing of the right things at the right time. When will our politicians learn that flattery, deception, seeking for self gains, and the like are not only not good for our country, but will only serve to make Lord mad at us in the process.
Proverbs 16:31 (NASB)
[31] A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
I would propose that before we enter the polling booth next time that we check out the real motivation behind the candidates. And yes, character really does count.
First, we see that hunger actually motivates us to complete our tasks. With our great emphasis in this country on consuming lots of food at any and all times we hardly think along the lines that it might be making us "lazy". We would prefer to sit at our desks and consume our lunch, or snacks, while we work all the time thinking that we don't have time to get away. This has the effect of making us think we are effective while all the time reducing our effectiveness. We are unwilling to wait, wanting tone satisfied now. The result is an ever increasing waistline and an inability to accept that we could be more effective by not indulging.
Proverbs 16:26 (NASB)
[26] A worker's appetite works for him,
For his *hunger urges him on.
Next, we see that the political way of digging up "dirt" on the other candidate can bring the other guy down but in the end is a worthless endeavor because it avoids the real job that we should be doing. It also says what is really the motivation behind the attacks. That the one who digs up the "dirt" does not have the interests of the constituents in mind, but is only interested in getting into the seat of power, by hook or crook. This goes for both parties in this land.
Proverbs 16:27 (NASB)
[27] A worthless man digs up evil,
While *his words are like scorching fire.
Next, we see that the politician that seeks to cause ill feelings over a matter ("spreading strife") is not straight forward with the people. Instead of discussing the matter, this politician will slander the other viewpoint to get their way. This is in order to not have to discuss the real issue at hand which might let someone have a chance to think about the action to be taken. Then the truth might come out. Hence, the label of "perverse" which means deviation and distortion of what is straight and right.
Proverbs 16:28 (NASB)
[28] A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
Next, the politician who incites the gullible, or the naive (the word extends to those who are drawn away by their own vanity, or are easily induced to sin and doing the wrong thing, self deception), by persuading them to do something which is not right is not on the straight and narrow. This person is deep down, a man of violence or one who is wrong or malicious. This is a person who does not exhibit truthfulness unless you dig much deeper such as what would be done in a trial. Notice that the overall effect is to take someone down a path that is not good for them to go down.
Proverbs 16:29 (NASB)
[29] A man of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
Next, we have the politician that winks with one eye, which generally denotes deception. The key here is to watch what they do, not what they say. The term perverse here is one that means to deviate from the Lord's ways in general. The result being a general turning away from His principles and laws. We need to be very careful of where we are being led. The person who "compresses their lips" is very similar in that they have a mocking, malicious, or deceitful intent. This again is a person who is pushing to have things happen that deviate from the ways of the Lord.
Proverbs 16:30 (NASB)
[30] He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
Next, we come to our obsession with youthfulness. It would seem that as we grow older in this country the more we push to appear to be younger. That is pretty much opposite of how the Lord looks at it. Notice that a grey head is a crown. Something to be admired, especially if in light of the previous verses that person has shown righteousness, the doing of the right things at the right time. When will our politicians learn that flattery, deception, seeking for self gains, and the like are not only not good for our country, but will only serve to make Lord mad at us in the process.
Proverbs 16:31 (NASB)
[31] A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
I would propose that before we enter the polling booth next time that we check out the real motivation behind the candidates. And yes, character really does count.