Reflection

We learn in many ways. Information comes to us by word of mouth and various news sources. Parents and teachers teach and train in both formal and informal settings. Of course, there is the presumed ‘best’ teacher, experience. And do not forget that discipline is a form of instruction.
(See “Musar” from May 9, 2016.)

Solomon tells about yet another source of instruction:

   When I saw, I reflected upon it;
   I looked, and received instruction.
                                  --Proverbs 24:32

This statement is the anchor verse in a brief passage about someone who is lazy and who lacks sense. Here is the broader context...

   I passed by the field of the sluggard
      And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,
   And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles;
      Its surface was covered with nettles,
      And its stone wall was broken down.
   When I saw, I reflected upon it;
      I looked, and received instruction.
   “A little sleep, a little slumber,
      A little folding of the hands to rest,”
   Then your poverty will come as a robber
      And your want like an armed man.
                                         --Proverbs 24:30-34

By careful observation and reflection Solomon was able to connect the cause to the effect.

I don’t know how long it took Solomon to come to his conclusion. I can imagine him reflecting on the images he had stored in his mind. I can imagine him posing a variety of questions in his mind as he wondered how the field and vineyard had become overgrown and practically unusable.

He observed.
He saw a result.
He gathered information.
He reflected.

He was like an ancient detective trying to solve a mystery. He put things together in his mind and came to a conclusion. He saw a principle of life at work.

God has revealed many things in scripture that cannot be concluded by simple observation. However, God gave us a brain, senses, and 'sense' and he clearly expects us to use good sense along with our senses to learn about our world and learn about life.


When is the last time something caught your attention and you stopped! . . . and pondered?

This is not an invitation to close God's Word and ignore His revelation. Rather, it is to recognize that God has given us the ability to reason. He has places us in an organized universe and he brought about our redemption with forethought. God expects us to use the ol' noggin. To do so...
   We will need to stop.
   We will need to look around.
   We will need to observe, even inspect.
   We will need to ask ourselves questions, ponder...and reflect.

But, first...we must STOP!

Then, we might receive instruction.

Be Wise.