Vinegar and Smoke - Proverbs 10:26

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “As the whirlwind passes, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-six of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “vinegar to the teeth, and … smoke to the eyes” where we read,

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

The verse begins, “As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, ...” Solomon began with the words, “as vinegar” or “similar and in likeness to fermented fruit of the vine such as vinegar on niter” “to the teeth” which means “toward the sharp ivory teeth”, “and as smoke” or “and similar and in likeness to vapor, dust or burning smoke” “to the eyes” which means “to the physical eyes”. Solomon began to share concerning a person who is similar to sharp fermented “vinegar” to physical “teeth” or burning “smoke” to the physical “eyes”.

The verse goes on to say, “... so is the sluggard to them that send him.” Solomon continued with the words, “so is the sluggard” or “also and indeed exists the lazy, slothful and indolent person” “to them that send him” which means “toward the people whether male or female who directs, dismisses, dispatches and sets him, the slothful person, free”. Solomon said the lazy person is like “vinegar and smoke” to the person who dispatched and gave that person an assignment.

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how a lazy person not only affects the person, but it also causes people who give them assignments to grieve. God has a plan and purpose for every person, and when we believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to be excited to fulfill His desire for us rather than as bothersome as “smoke and vinegar” to the “eyes and teeth”.

Next time Solomon says, “the fear of the LORD prolongs days”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".