We Are Not to Meddle in the Everyday Affairs of Others – (Proverbs 26:17)

Daily Bible Study
This verse is part of a section of verses that deal with our speech and how we use our words. That is to say, how what's in our heart drives what we say and how we treat others. To give us the setting for this verse, we have to remember the dogs of ancient Israel were not as domesticated as those of today. For the most part the majority of them were wild dogs. So to grab one by the ears was to grab hold of some serious trouble. Trouble which you could not let go of, without getting bit and suffering harm. With an angry dog, as soon as you let go of his ears, he's going to bite you, because you now have made him angry and focused his attention on you.

And that's the point of this proverb. This proverb tells us the same thing happens when we meddle in a quarrel that is none of our business. Now we must remember this verse is not talking about a situation where someone is causing harm or mistreating another person. Moreover, this verse does not in any way suggest we let evil flourish in our midst. Rather, this is speaking of the everyday mundane arguments and disagreements people get into. And to get in the middle of these types of disagreements serves no purpose and only causes harm to ourselves. And like holding an angry dog by the ears, we will not be able to let go of the situation without getting harmed in some fashion.