Proverbs 26:17,  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

As we study Jesus Christ it is interesting to note the way he always demonstrates his living of the Proverbs by the actions and decisions he makes.

You can find many episodes in his life where a proverb is lived out.

As you study his life a good study habit is to find these occurrences and find the proverb that he validates by his life.

He does not make the wrong decision.

He does not act the fool or the unwise.

He always chooses the right direction and makes the right decision.

As an example of the proverb this week in Luke 12:13,14 our Lord teaches us a lesson in godly wisdom.

When called to meddle in strife belonging not to him when he was asked to divide an inheritance between brothers, he answers:

You would think that Jesus Christ, the perfect judge would have been glad to help these poor confused brothers.

Perhaps he would have won them to himself. He certainly could of impressed them with his wisdom.

What an opportunity to show himself to them. But he never did wrong in order to get a chance to do right.

Jesus Christ always honors his word and teaches us that he and the proverbs are one, and that if we live by their precepts we will benefit greatly.

He is wisdom incarnate and the proverbs speak of him.

He honors them, and his actions while on this earth validate them, prove them.

This proverb, as many are, is a proverb of caution, a proverb where prudence is desired, because God knows that we think ourselves very capable of judging our neighbor's conduct.

He knows we need help in limiting our involvement in things not our business.

Don't you think of yourself to be a good judge in matters?

Don't we do it all the time.

Are we not at the ready to jump right in and share our wisdom with our neighbors?

Don't we talk about the actions and decisions of our neighbors with others and solve their problems for them?

But this proverb cautions us to a neutral position.

Neutral is a prudent position to take when it comes to strife not belonging to us.

A closed mouth gathers no foot, whether it be yours or your neighbors.

Those that are in contention may join forces against you and look at you as a common foe.

Get your nose out of our business, they may say! Who made you judge?

So now in your wisdom you have made two enemies.

As in many other proverbs this one reminds us to be cautious and take time, perhaps even time to pray so that sound judgment will be exercised.

Taking a dog by the ears will perhaps subdue the dog momentarily but what will happen when the dog is let go?

He will certainly give us a reward for our foolishness and we may have a permanent reminder to carry with us of our foolish intervention.

Sometimes there may be what seems to be a successful conclusion by our intervention in strife not belonging to us, but the end of the matter will generally turn against us.

Proverbs 25: 8,  Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

If you find you must intervene in strife, find the right time, go to the Lord in prayer and seek God’s’ wisdom.

Go to his house of wisdom and you find prudence dwelling there. G od will give you the tools you will need to do it right.