Consider It Well

Proverbs 24:32 "Then I saw it, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."

I can recall many times in my life that I made decisions that led to awful, painful, and at times embarrassing consequences.  Often I remember saying in my mind if not aloud "What was I thinking?"or "Why in the world did I do that?", and "What on earth could have possessed me to say that?".   

When Solomon went by the field of the slothful man and noticed the shape of his vineyard he immediately began a process of thoughts that fueled the observation made in verse 32.  It is not important to this study what the thoughts were that Solomon had regarding the slothful man but what is important this morning is that he took time to "consider" what he had seen; he even considered it well.  

The word "consider" means to discern, to understand the difference, to recognize or identify.  I believe this is a lost art in our lives.  We just do not stop long enough to think anymore...to identify the facts and weigh the options that offer themselves to us in making the appropriate decision regarding the issues of life.  A great example of someone doing this is Joseph, Mary's husband, in Matthew 1:18-25.  Think of all that must have been going through Joseph's mind when he was told by Mary that she was with child.   But what do we see him doing?  God says that Joseph "thought on these things" (1:20) and did not act hastily out of anger, hurt, or jealousy.   Even the law condemned those that commit fornication to death.   Instead Joseph took his time to consider what he would do.  It was during this time that the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and explained God's plan and gave him direction on what to do.  What if Joseph had been a man given to anger?  What would have happened?  Actually nothing would have happened because he would never had been chosen of God to be the husband of Mary and would never have had the great privilege of rearing the Son of God.  That wonderful opportunity would have been given to another man.   

We are admonished in God's Word to be slow to speak (James 1:19)  and act.  The Bible often condemns the quick and hasty ways of man (Pro. 29:20) in making decisions that at times carry grave consequences.  We need to give our spirit time to digest the facts and choose our answers and actions with wisdom and prudence. 

For God's sake and for our own quality of life...S-L-O-W  D-O-W-N and consider it well.