Have you ever been promised something that never happened? Many times in group work projects I remember certain group members promised to have, “all that stuff done,” the night before the group project is due, only to realize that the group member didn’t hold up her or his part at the last minute. Maybe a family member or significant other told you that they would do something for you only to have that promise left unfulfilled. Or, maybe a friend committed to go with you to a certain event, but at the last minute s/he backed out.
Whatever it may look like, we’ve all experienced the sting of the unfulfilled promise or commitment. That unfulfilled promise leaves a pain in us somehow; it doesn’t exactly instill trust for the future. What’s more, we’ve likely been as equally guilty of it in one way or another (it’s a good thing that dogs can’t talk, or my puppy would remind me of the several times I promised her treats that didn’t appear because I ended up not having them near me!).
The twentieth proverb addresses this in brief, in verses four through seven, and it speaks to our interactions with others. For example, in verse six, the author describes the widespread problem of claiming to do one thing while in practice doing something else. Specifically, “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” (Pr. 20.6, ESV). In contrast to those people – whose actions do not line up with their words – verse seven explains that, “the righteous man walks in his integrity” (Pr. 20.7, ESV). In other words, his actions line up with his words – he practices what he preaches.
How does this speak to our lives today? First, we still encounter the problem of lack of integrity – people’s actions sometimes do not line up with their words (this is actually one of the chief complaints about Christians made by unbelievers!). This proverb calls us to follow up our words with the same actions.
Moreover, verse four speaks to a different call to integrity for us as followers of Jesus – the call to make disciples. Particularly, verse four mentions that the, “sluggard does not plow in the autumn” (Pr. 20:4, ESV), yet s/he still seeks to find produce in the harvest. The author here reminds us of those who do not sow, yet expect to reap – who do not work, yet expect to benefit – another crisis of integrity. This verse also brings to mind Jesus’ call to sow seeds and to work the harvest – to make disciples (Mt. 9:35-38). Are we walking in our integrity as the Church in accordance with our call to make disciples? Are we sowing seeds to be harvested or are we expecting to harvest without planting seeds?
Regarding the timing of the harvest, there’s an important note to make. In Israel, the grain harvest occurs after Passover – usually in April – and the plowing is done around October or November. To speak of Passover as the Church is to bring to mind Easter Sunday, the empty tomb, and what Jesus accomplished for us – wiping away all our transgressions, forgetting all our faults, and forgiving the sting of all our unfulfilled promises.
I’ve heard it said before that your words may not be heard due to the sound of your actions. May we go forward today (and every day) walking in our integrity. May we go forward today letting the sound of our actions speak of our integrity. May we go forward today fulfilling Jesus’ call to make disciples – sowing seeds and working the harvest – because we are reminded of the unfulfilled promises that Jesus has wiped away from us. May we go forward today, as the church, letting the sound of our actions preach Jesus for us.
Blessings,
Carson