Proverbs 10:26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.
Like vinegar to the teeth
The phrase "like vinegar to the teeth" evokes a vivid sensory experience. Vinegar, known for its acidic properties, can cause discomfort and a sharp sensation when it comes into contact with teeth. In the Hebrew context, vinegar was a common household item, often used for cleaning or as a condiment. The comparison here suggests an unpleasant, irritating effect, symbolizing the disruptive and corrosive impact a slacker has on those who rely on him. The Hebrew word for vinegar, "chomets," implies something that is sour or sharp, highlighting the negative consequences of laziness.

and smoke to the eyes
"Smoke to the eyes" is another powerful image, as smoke causes irritation, tears, and discomfort. In ancient times, smoke from fires was a common part of daily life, whether from cooking or heating. The Hebrew word "ashan" for smoke suggests something that obscures vision and causes distress. This metaphor emphasizes the frustration and hindrance caused by a slacker, much like smoke that clouds vision and stings the eyes, preventing clear sight and focus.

so is the slacker
The term "slacker" refers to someone who is lazy or negligent in their duties. The Hebrew word "atsel" is often translated as sluggard or lazy person, and it carries a strong negative connotation. In the biblical context, diligence and hard work are highly valued virtues, and the slacker is seen as failing to meet these standards. The slacker's behavior is not just a personal failing but has broader implications for those who depend on him, reflecting a lack of responsibility and reliability.

to those who send him
The phrase "to those who send him" indicates a relationship of trust and expectation. In ancient times, sending someone on a task or mission was a common practice, and it required confidence in the person's ability to fulfill the duty. The Hebrew word "shalach" means to send or dispatch, suggesting a delegation of responsibility. When a slacker is sent, the sender experiences disappointment and frustration, as the task is likely to be neglected or poorly executed. This highlights the importance of choosing reliable and diligent individuals for responsibilities, as their actions directly impact the success and well-being of those who entrust them with tasks.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Slacker
This term refers to a lazy or negligent person who fails to fulfill their responsibilities, particularly in the context of being sent on a task or mission.

2. The Sender
This is the person or authority who entrusts the slacker with a task, expecting it to be completed efficiently and effectively.

3. Vinegar
In ancient times, vinegar was a common household item, known for its sour taste and potential to cause discomfort to the teeth.

4. Smoke
Smoke is a byproduct of fire, often causing irritation and discomfort to the eyes, symbolizing the frustration caused by the slacker.

5. Proverbs
A book in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, known for its wisdom literature that provides practical guidance for righteous living.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Laziness
Laziness leads to frustration and disappointment for those who rely on us. Just as vinegar and smoke cause discomfort, so does a lack of diligence in fulfilling responsibilities.

The Importance of Diligence
Diligence is a virtue that honors God and benefits others. We are called to be faithful stewards of the tasks entrusted to us.

Responsibility to Others
Our actions impact those around us. Being reliable and responsible reflects our commitment to serving others and glorifying God.

Spiritual Implications
Laziness in spiritual matters can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth and service. We must be vigilant and proactive in our spiritual walk.

Reflecting Christ in Our Work
As Christians, our work ethic should reflect Christ's character. We are ambassadors for Him in all we do, including our daily tasks and responsibilities.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of vinegar and smoke help us understand the impact of a slacker on those who depend on them?

2. In what ways can we apply the lessons from Proverbs 10:26 to our work or ministry today?

3. How does the concept of diligence in Proverbs 10:26 relate to the teachings of Jesus in the Parable of the Talents?

4. What practical steps can we take to avoid being a "slacker" in our spiritual lives and responsibilities?

5. How can we encourage and support others in our community to be diligent and responsible in their tasks?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 6:6-11
This passage contrasts the sluggard with the industrious ant, encouraging diligence and warning against laziness.

Colossians 3:23-24
These verses encourage believers to work heartily as for the Lord, not for men, highlighting the importance of diligence and responsibility.

Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents illustrates the consequences of laziness and the rewards of faithful service.
The Lazy Man a NuisanceE. Johnson Proverbs 10:26
The Service of Speech, EtcW. Clarkson Proverbs 10:8, 10, 11, 14, 18-21, 31, 32
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acid, Drink, Hater, Lazy, Sending, Slothful, Sluggard, Smoke, Teeth, Vinegar
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 10:26

     4536   vinegar
     4848   smoke
     5189   teeth
     5343   idleness
     5539   sluggard

Library
The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
'The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.'--PROVERBS x. 29. You observe that the words 'shall be,' in the last clause, are a supplement. They are quite unnecessary, and in fact they rather hinder the sense. They destroy the completeness of the antithesis between the two halves of the verse. If you leave them out, and suppose that the 'way of the Lord' is what is spoken of in both clauses, you get a far deeper and fuller meaning. 'The way
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. General declamations against vice and sin are indeed excellently useful, as rousing men to consider and look about them: but they do often want effect, because they only raise confused apprehensions of things, and indeterminate propensions to action; which usually, before men thoroughly perceive or resolve what they should practise, do decay and vanish. As he that cries out "Fire!" doth stir up people, and inspireth them with a kind of hovering
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. I have formerly in this place, discoursing upon this text, explained the nature of the sin here condemned, with its several kinds and ways of practising. II. I shall now proceed to declare the folly of it; and to make good by divers reasons the assertion of the wise man, that "He who uttereth slander is a fool." 1. Slandering is foolish, as sinful and wicked. All sin is foolish upon many accounts; as proceeding from ignorance, error, inconsiderateness,
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
In the discussion of this subject, I shall show-- I. What constitute the sanctions of law. 1. The sanctions of law are the motives to obedience, the natural and the governmental consequences or results of obedience and of disobedience. 2. They are remuneratory, that is, they promise reward to obedience. 3. They are vindicatory, that is, they threaten the disobedient with punishment. 4. They are natural, that is, happiness is to some extent naturally connected with, and the necessary consequence of,
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Lii. Trust in God.
15th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. vi. 31. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." INTRODUCTION.--We read in ancient Roman history that a general named Aemilius Paulus was appointed to the Roman army in a time of war and great apprehension. He found in the army a sad condition of affairs, there were more officers than fighting men, and all these officers wanted to have their advice taken, and the war conducted in accordance with their several opinions. Then Aemilius Paulus
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles and of this Miracle of Miracles - views of Negative Criticism on this History
From listening to the teaching of Christ, we turn once more to follow His working. It will be remembered, that the visit to Bethany divides the period from the Feast of the Dedication to the last Paschal week into two parts. It also forms the prelude and preparation for the awful events of the End. For, it was on that occasion that the members of the Sanhedrin formally resolved on His Death. It now only remained to settle and carry out the plans for giving effect to their purpose. This is one aspect
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Letter xxxi (A. D. 1132) to the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from which the Prior had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him.
To the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from Which the Prior Had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him. [50] 1. You write to me from beyond the sea to ask of me advice which I should have preferred that you had sought from some other. I am held between two difficulties, for if I do not reply to you, you may take my silence for a sign of contempt; but if I do reply I cannot avoid danger, since whatever I reply I must of necessity either give scandal to some one or give to some other a security
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 12.) Differently to be admonished are the simple and the insincere. The simple are to be praised for studying never to say what is false, but to be admonished to know how sometimes to be silent about what is true. For, as falsehood has always harmed him that speaks it, so sometimes the hearing of truth has done harm to some. Wherefore the Lord before His disciples, tempering His speech with silence, says, I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now (Joh. xvi. 12).
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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