Proverbs 11:22

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

This is one of the scriptures that caught my eye a long time ago. It’s one that makes you go, “Hmmm”.

Gold has been one of man’s most valuable commodities for thousands of years.  Anything made out of gold was considered valuable and was to be treated with special care.  The same is true today.

Pigs, on the other hand, in Jewish culture, were one of the lowest and dirtiest of all animals.  Jewish tradition even forbade the eating of pork.  They were considered “unclean”. So pigs were associated with filth and disgust.

So to put something as valuable as a gold ring in the nose of the dirtiest of animals was unthinkable…crazy…I mean, “Have you lost your mind?” crazy. 

So it is with a beautiful woman who is irresponsible. What else does a woman have that is valuable?  If we try to look at her from God’s perspective, she has her integrity, virginity, reputation, her gifts and talents, her self-respect, and her personhood which is uniquely loved by God.  To make irresponsible decisions and use poor judgment is taking what God loves and considers valuable and dragging through the mud.  It’s really disrespecting God Who is the Giver of all things good (James 1:17).

The same applies to men. Men, what has God given you that is part of your special make up…that makes you special to Him? Do you show your appreciation to your Maker by making the most of your gifts, which ultimately honors Him? Do you care for the precious things He has given you? Or are you making “piggy decisions” which end up destroying your life and the ones you care about the most.

God is not the author of confusion or a mess. Treat His gifts with the respect they deserve.