Solomon is beginning to narrow the field when it comes to attaining wisdom. In this chapter he hits hard in a couple of locations - being wary of signing for someone in a financial matter and faithfulness versus adultery in relationships.
The one section that caught my eye was verses 16-19:
"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."
I cannot be certain, but I am thinking that the seventh adds to the disdain God has for these actions. If the seventh is a person who stirs up conflict in the community, well, let me say it gently: I know of a number of folks who are on the detestable list. (In my lifetime, not necessarily where I am currently located.)
These verses point out the darker side of humanity. What is truly interesting about this list is that thousands of years after this list was stated, humanity continues to demonstrate each one of these things that the Lord hates and detests. We haven't learned anything as a human race. But I believe that is the norm for each generation.
We can look back across the decades and find examples of the above sins. There presence is not confined to a generation long ago. Further, their presence continues to be a concern for us today. Certainly most of us would agree that we would refrain from any of these behaviors and I would believe that in a moment about us. However, the human race continues to demonstrate that some folks just don't operate in the same way that we do. They will continue to live in these negative behaviors every day, most times without even giving their actions a second thought.
The challenge might be in how we hold fast and seek to transform the world without conforming to it - a familiar message Jesus brought to the people.
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