Proverbs 11:22 Rings, pigs, and purpose_

As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Proverbs‬ ‭11:22‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

To Israel, swine were unclean. The Israelites were not allowed to eat pork and pigs became a symbol of something that was detested, rejected, not to be associated with.

“There is probably no animal as disgusting to Jewish sensitivities as the pig. There are plenty of other animals that aren’t kosher either, but none of them arouse as much disgust as the pig. Colloquially, the pig is the ultimate symbol of loathing.” https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2376474/jewish/Pigs-Judaism.htm

But a ring of gold is a thing of beauty. Desirable. Gold is a symbol of the divine. God. A rare metal purified and precious. So the picture contrasts good with bad and is immediately off putting. Discordant. Like a laugh at a funeral. Like a gift of running clothes to a quadriplegic. Sugar sprinkled over your meat loaf. A cell phone conversation at the theater. You get the idea.

And not just a woman, but a beautiful woman… who lacks discretion. I pause when approaching the topic of beauty and women. Women have an uphill battle to be honored and respected like her fellow man. More so in Muslim countries, less so in companies like Facebook with outspoken advocacy from executives like Sharyl Sandberg. The #metoo movement is thankfully encouraging people who observe or experience abuse to call it for what it is. I’m not wanting to delve into gender inequality, of which there is plenty, but there are genetic and physical differences between men and woman. But let’s face it, men often have tunnel vision and focused ambition and the one disposition that a woman has to her advantage is the fact that men are affected by beauty. A man’s sexual desire is up at the top of the “need” list when considering a companion. Many women know this and since her own disposition is one of wanting to be beautiful, to look her best, there is satisfaction and a means to an end in embracing her own beauty.

There are many who write about this verse encouraging women to be discreet. And that’s an important lesson. Yet the real beauty within people is our character, the person of the heart. What is more amazing is the alignment of that inward and outward person — the beauty of a person’s character seems to embellish and radiate from a person’s body, no matter the starting point of our external hardware. But how beautiful is the person that has both! That’s why the contrast of this parable is so jarring.

There is misalignment.

Intrinsic purpose and alignment with that purpose is deeply satisfying. Beyond the laughable analogy of gold, pigs, and a gorgeous woman oblivious of her impact is the message of our purpose and place. We each have deposits that the Father has made in our person. Valuable gifts. They could be character strengths or even physical advantages, but either way, we are entrusted with these gifts at birth.

There is a currency that every person has to spend in this life, despite our current financial status. The currency of heaven is the character, values and purpose deposited in me. Isaiah says:

“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.” Isaiah‬ ‭55:1-2‬ ‭NASB‬‬

It’s the work of faith and grace which produces a life crop. It’s the alignment of our action with our real purpose in life.

Earlier in Proverbs Solomon talks about being distracted by a “strange woman” or an adulteress pulling me away from my primary purpose:

“Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door to her house. Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one; And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien; And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed;” Proverbs‬ ‭5:8-11‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬

There are many things in life that are alluring and attractive, attempting to call me aside. (While writing these words on my iPad, I’ve had no fewer than five pop ups beckoning me to another place.) I allow my attention to be captivated by them, but in the end, not only do I waste the good but I also experience shame for the loss. Yet the Lord my redeemer can create a new story with my life today. The Holy Spirit within is such a strong advocate and voice for discretion and alignment no matter how much I have yielded to and have been trained by my own passions and pursuits. I am that ring of gold. He puts valuable things in my care. That which has value has a place of honor. Yet there is a way to handle my gifts and my calling and my identity as a son that I must be trained in. Misalignment can be funny, and I laugh at what I’ve been distracted with. Yet I’m hopeful for the discretion to wear His gold with purpose and not in my snout.