This proverb contains the guaranteed result of depleted human practice. Love pleasure => poverty. Love wine and oil => not becoming rich. It is designed to be a warning. Its intent is to keep me on the good and wise path. Amos’ prophecy stands, “You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.” (Amos 6:6-7) This proverb is well to follow the previous.
Two questions arise. What to do if not pleasure, wine, and oil? What is the antonym of this mindset and lifestyle? The answer to the second is persistent prudence, productivity, and providence. The answer to the first has different answers depending on my age, stature, and education as well as my personal and provincial faith, hope, and passion.
I search my soul for that which is not a depleted human practice and present these to my Heavenly Father. Someone once said, “The road to my desired destination is full of many steps.” This limited truth implies that I walk a chosen life path steady and alone. This human proverb portrays a constant easy stroll in the park or forest. This is not the reality of human existence. Therefore, I seek my Heavenly Father as a necessity and as a life-sustaining surety. He is the pilgrim’s progress.
