Bread & Water

“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.” Proverbs 17:1

Reading the above verse brings back memories of when our children were younger. With their immaturity came the tendency to argue and bicker back and forth.  One minute they could be getting along just perfectly and the next minute – wow!  That solitude this Momma was enjoying had just been rudely interrupted!

Because we spent a lot of time in the book of Proverbs during their growing-up years, there were times that I would use the above verse as a reminder for those involved in the current “eruption”. “Somebody is going to be eating bread and water for supper” served as a warning to the guilty party. They knew I was referring to this verse and if the strife didn’t cease, their meal just might be reduced to a “dry morsel” that day – as a reminder of the seriousness of contention in the home. No, the threat never was carried out; thankfully, the verse served its purpose of restoring peace once again. 😉

Matthew Henry’s comments on the above verse are as follows:

“These words recommend family-love and peace, as conducing very much to the comfort of human life. 1. Those that live in unity and quietness, not only free from jealousies and animosities, but vying in mutual endearments, and obliging to one another, live very comfortably, though they are low in the world, work hard and fare hard, though they have but each of them a morsel, and that a dry morsel. There may be peace and quietness where there are not three meals a day, provided there by a joint satisfaction in God’s providence and a mutual satisfaction in each other’s prudence. Holy love may be found in a cottage. 2. Those that live in contention, that are always jarring and brawling, and reflecting upon one another, though they have plenty of dainties, a house full of sacrifices, live uncomfortably; they cannot expect the blessing of God upon them and what they have, nor can they have any true relish of their enjoyments, much less any peace in their own consciences. Love will sweeten a dry morsel, but strife will sour and embitter a house full of sacrifices. A little of the leaven of malice will leaven all the enjoyments.”

The Bible is very clear about what God thinks of those who are constantly starting arguments.  “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife…”  Proverbs 28:25 The root of strife can be summed up in one word – PRIDE. Honour, however, goes to the one who is humble enough to end the contention or better yet, not even get involved in the first place. “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…” Proverbs 20:3 

Knowing what the Bible says about strife and contention, by God’s grace, let’s desire to be peacemakers, not troublemakers!

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”  James 3:17,18