Red Light, Green Light

(Proverbs 27:12 KJV)  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Years ago, when I was a child, we had a local children’s program that was hosted by Engineer Bill.  The theme was railroads and each day had some privileged child sitting with Engineer Bill as he entertained the children. 

The reason that comes to mind is because this verse brought to mind one of his featured segments, the “Red Light, Green Light Game.”  It was a variation of “Mother, May I.”  It was a game to get children to drink their milk.  He would sit there and say “Red light” and “Green light” in unexpected orders and try to get you to make a mistake in drinking or not drinking.  At the end he would always say, “Because no engineer would ever run a red light.”

Life has red light and green lights.  We have things we see and recognize as telling us to proceed or stop.  If we have any common sense we stop when we should.   If we think we are going to be the exception, we “pass on” (proceed NASB) (5674a).  We often then “are punished” (pay the penalty NASB) (6064).  The penalty is usually more than spilt milk.  It may take time to demand payment.  Eventually the bill is due.

So do you really want to find out what it will cost to play the fool?  Do you really think God will be mocked?  Listen to the voice of God as He speaks through the many voices from the still small voice to the thunder of a sermon.  Pay day will come.