Winking the Other Way

(Proverbs 10:10 KJV)  He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

The Hebrew word used here for “winks” (7169) is defined as “to nip, pinch”.  In Proverbs 16:30 it is used in regard to the lips.  It could mean to refuse to see what is going on around you.  It could be a way of saying “look the other way”.  Sometimes we have no choice but to ignore a problem.  If your neighbor is not watering his lawn it is none of your business.  In California today that would even make him a hero.  If he is beating his wife it would be time to call the police.

One of the causes of the “sorrow” (trouble NASB) (6094) in our society is people looking the other way.  Too many refuse to get involved.  What would happen if everyone picked up one piece of trash?  It would not be long before there would be no trash to pick up.  What would happen if everyone picked up their own clothes?  I had better not go there.

So?  You get the idea.  Be it silly or serious we need to be alert to doing our own part to keep our world moving forward.  Either do it for altruism or for self protection.