Proverbs 26:17

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about gossip:

Proverbs 26:17 (ESV)

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own

is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

This proverb uses a word picture to give us great insight about getting involved with matters that don’t concern us. In any church it is easy to get caught up in the latest talk; the most recent gossip becomes the flavor of the month. In any business it is easy to take on responsibilities that don’t concern us.  Solomon tells us, in vivid form, that to get involved in something that doesn’t really concern us is like grabbing a dog by the ears. We could understand this better if we understood the context of Solomon’s day. Most people did not view dogs, at that time, as a household pet. Dogs ran wild and were more of a family nuisance than a family nicety. If you grabbed a dog by the ears you would most certainly be attacked by their teeth. So, too, is it when you get involved with something that is not your concern. You can always tell who has done that in the past … just look for the teeth marks on their arms!  The problem is not grabbing the dog by the ears.  For when you have the ears you have some control over the dogs head.  The problem is in the letting go.   Once you let go  you have no control.  So, getting yourself involved in a matter that isn't your concern is the easy part.  It is getting out of the matter that becomes a problem.  Those with good sense and good prudence know when and how to get involved in an issue.