Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:26, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
American Standard Version
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him.
World English Bible version
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
Proverbs 10:26 Meaning & Commentary
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. Proverbs 10:26 (ESV)
The Bible here describes a “sluggard” and the effects that he can have on other people. The word sluggard here is the Hebrew word “atsel”, which could also be translated as a lazy person or a sluggish person. The Bible tells us here that the sluggard is like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes of those who send the sluggard. Now, neither smoke in the eyes nor vinegar to the teeth is good. If you have ever had smoke in your eyes, you will know that it causes your eyes to burn, and you need to distance yourself away from the smoke as quickly as possible. You will not be able to stay in the same area or vicinity as the smoke. Vinegar is known to damage and erode your teeth and is not good for the health of your teeth. Now, apply these analogies to the effect a sluggard could have on someone sending them. When you send someone somewhere, ask someone to assist you with something, or do a task or favor for you, it is essential that you can rely on or depend on the person. If not, you will likely get irritated and frustrated. Have you ever heard that saying, “I cannot ask you to do anything”? That is descriptive of a sluggard. They cannot get anything right or do anything with enough haste or speed but will find a way to procrastinate, do the task slowly, or find a way to mess something up. This causes great irritation and frustration to the one who trusted or relied on the sluggard. This sort of irritation can be likened to smoke in the eyes or vinegar to the teeth. The person will regret trusting the sluggard with anything and would do the job themselves instead!
Application
How then can we apply Proverbs 10:26 to our lives?
There is a two-fold application here; first, for us to not fall into a place of being like a sluggard, and secondly, being careful about who we entrust responsibilities. We need to do our best always to be faithful and responsible. A sluggard is not someone you call responsible but rather irresponsible, unable to carry out basic tasks and responsibilities. The Bible teaches us that when we are responsible and faithful with little, God will give us more: Luke 16:10 One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Therefore, our focus should always be to remain faithful wherever we are and to whoever God has placed in our lives. There is often a season of being faithful to another person, and to what is not ours, before God entrusts us with our own: Luke 16:12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? There is a saying, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” It sounds like a strange saying, but this person is often busy because they are trustworthy, and many depend on and count on them. This is descriptive of the opposite of a sluggard; this person is responsible, works hard, and gets things done. Suppose we can recognize certain qualities and characters in other people. In that case, we will be able to see who is hard-working, trustworthy, and responsible, and conversely, who is lazy, untrustworthy, and has not yet proved their faithfulness! We will be able to discern who to entrust with responsibilities and avoid that “smoke in our eyes” and that “vinegar on our teeth”!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that you would reveal where I may not have been faithful in my life so that I may recognize my failing. I ask that you make me a faithful, reliable, and responsible servant to you. I pray that I will be able to be entrusted with more and more responsibility in my life. I ask that you help me to discern those around me who can be trusted and sent forth with responsibilities, who will not end up being an irritation and frustration to me, but people who will faithfully and diligently carry out tasks and responsibilities. I ask this now in Jesus’ name. Amen!
