Like earthquakes, society is greatly agitated when normal roles are overturned, servants reigning, fools made rich, hated women married and maidservants becoming wives.

These four things make living very uncomfortable. They really are things which should not be. These four causes much pain to all parties involved.

A servant is really not suited to be a ruler, and sudden power many times turns the head of the person elevated.

This fool, who suddenly has more than he needs, over-indulges, and makes himself even more of a fool. This “odious woman” is an undesirable woman, perhaps because she is not attractive or has unattractive ways. If she does get married, she is ill-tempered and possibly will drive her mate away.

 This handmaid, who obtains the wealth of her mistress, whether by death of the mistress or some trickery, would certainly cause her to be arrogant and difficult to get along with.


He is just saying in this, that these four things are a wonderful mystery which man cannot begin to understand.

Men look at the eagle flying through the sky and wish that they might fly, as well. There is no trace from where they came, or where they go, or even how they can stay up there in mid-air.

The amazing thing in this is how the snake slithers across a rock.

A ship in a large body of water leaves a mystery as to how it floats and how it finds its way to port.

The way of a man with a maid has been a mystery for all time. How two people destined of God to become one, can single each other out in all the mass of humanity, and find the mate so right for them that they will stay together until death do them part is one of the greatest mysteries to me.

If we were to look at these four things from a spiritual standpoint, we would see in the eagle the symbol of God. In the serpent, we see the symbol of Satan. We would see in the ship, the symbol of the church or the Christian on the sea of life; and we would see in the man with the maid, Christ and his bride (the church).

We see in this adulterous woman who covers her sin, a deception of not only deceiving others, but herself as well. Her heart is so hardened that she feels no guilt and shame.


 “Partner with a thief”: By refusing to testify with full disclosure to avoid incrimination, one commits perjury which leads to punishment.

To be partner with a thief makes you a thief also. Even if you did not steal, you would be guilty by association.

We see in the last part of this, it is speaking of knowing of a sin and not speaking out to reveal the sin. If you hide the sin, even if you did not commit the crime, you would be an accomplice and punished along with the criminal.

Consider how bad your sins are for not telling the truth in court – you have added lying as a false witness to the stealing by the thief that you are protecting. God hates the sin of being a false witness and those who commit it, as Solomon clearly wrote (Pr 6:16-19).

Can you cover for a thief and be innocent? Do you think your sin is mild, since you did not steal anything yourself? You are a fool; you hate your own soul; and judgment is coming. God hates accomplices as much as thieves. Do not deceive yourself that you are innocent. If you can expose a criminal or help solve a crime, it is your duty to tell all. 


God loves the humble. In fact, everyone loves the humble person, and others build the humble up. A man with pride is so self-centered that others are not fond of him; and, actually, his arrogance is what brings him low in the sight of others. Again, referring to a previous scripture (Prov. 16:18-19) tells us: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” “It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” 


We see in this man with the evil eye, a man who wants what belongs to others, a man who is motivated by greed. He has no regard for how he gets what someone else has just as long as he gets it soon.

Money or wealth gotten from evil ways and in a hurry has a way of leaving just as fast. Poverty is inevitable for this man because God will not bless him.


We see bribery associated with this. (piece of bread). Some judges accept bribes and release someone just because of favors or because of who they are. God expects us to treat all men fairly.


Whatever type of work you do, you should do your very best. In fact, you should do it as unto the Lord. If you neglect your flock, you will not have a flock. If you take care of your flock, they will grow and make you wealthy. No one else will look after your things like you will.


I see in this that you can take a fool and force him to be in a group of Christians (wheat), yet he will not learn a thing.  To be changed into a Christian, a person has to be willing.  God will not force Himself on us. 

As we have said before, we must be wise unto salvation.  The most foolish thing a person can do is reflect the Lord. 


Talking about every little irritation or piece of gossip only keeps the fires of anger going.  Refusing to discuss them cuts the fuel line and makes the fires die out.  Does someone continually irritate you?  Decide not to complain about the person and see if your irritation dies from lack of fuel. 

This is just saying, stop adding fuel to the fire and the fire will die down. A rumor cannot damage anyone until it is told, Gossip is like the wood. It causes widespread damage. To stop the damage, stop the gossip. This continues in the next verse.

We see there, a situation where the coals of gossip have just about gone out, but a contentious man who loves trouble will go in there and rekindle the mess all over again. To make coals re-ignite you blow on them and add a little kindling (gossip), to the fire. This makes an even hotter fire than you had in the first place. This evil man wants to keep the quarrel going so he stirs it up a little and gets it going full blast again.


Talking about every little irritation or piece of gossip only keeps the fires of anger going.  Refusing to discuss them cuts the fuel line and makes the fires die out.  Does someone continually irritate you?  Decide not to complain about the person and see if your irritation dies from lack of fuel.