INTRODUCTION

Meddling in the problems of others is a dangerous practice resulting in unforeseen outcomes. The Bible uses two comparisons to help convey the danger involved with meddling. Proverbs 17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
See All... compares meddling to the letting out of previously restrained water. The idea is that meddling with the problems belonging to others is like personally opening the gates once restraining a large body of water. The second comparison is found in Proverbs 26:17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
See All.... The Bible says, “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” When someone does this, the dog turns upon the individual. Both of these warnings demonstrate the grievous dangers involved in unnecessarily meddling in the affairs of others.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Even before Rebekah bore her twins, she knew that the family leader would be Jacob, the younger of the two (Genesis 25:22-26 [22] And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. [23] And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. [24] And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. [25] And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. [26] And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
  See All...). When it appeared that Isaac would bless Esau, she meddled in the outcome by tricking Isaac into blessing Jacob. Jacob had to run for his life and never saw his mother again (see Genesis chapter 27).
• (For everyone): What would happen if you personally opened a gate (like a great dam) to let water out that had been previously restrained? What could happen if you went up and grabbed a dog by the ears? How does this give a vivid representation of the dangers of meddling?
• In whose problems are you currently meddling? Are you willing to ask the Lord to help you repent of this dangerous practice?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the warnings about meddling.
• Ask God for wisdom to cease from meddling.

HYMN

NOTHING BETWEEN

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