How does Proverbs 20:17 connect with the Eighth Commandment, "You shall not steal"? Opening Snapshot “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.” — Proverbs 20:17 The Flavor of Stolen Bread • Stolen or deceitfully gained goods feel “sweet” in the moment. • “Afterward his mouth is full of gravel” paints a vivid picture of sharp regret, ruined appetite, and lasting damage. • The proverb exposes a universal pattern: short-lived pleasure followed by bitter fallout whenever we cross the line God has drawn. The Eighth Commandment in Focus “You shall not steal.” — Exodus 20:15 • Clear, concise, non-negotiable. • Protects property, dignity, and relational trust. • Reflects God’s own character—He never takes what is not His; instead, He gives generously (James 1:17). A Deeper Link • Proverbs 20:17 describes stealing’s inner mechanics, while the Eighth Commandment states the outward prohibition. • The proverb answers the unspoken “Why?” behind the command: theft is self-sabotage masquerading as self-advancement. • By connecting desire (sweet bread) with consequence (gravel mouth), Scripture ties motive, action, and outcome into one moral thread. Consequences of Taking What Isn’t Ours • Immediate guilt: Proverbs 21:6—“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.” • Eroded integrity: A single theft reshapes the heart (Jeremiah 17:9). • Divine justice: Galatians 6:7—“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will reap.” • Social fallout: Trust once broken is hard to rebuild, fracturing families, churches, workplaces. God’s Alternative: Honest Work and Faithful Trust • Ephesians 4:28—“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, that he may have something to share with the one in need.” • Honest labor turns would-be takers into givers, mirroring Christ’s generosity. • Contentment cures covetous cravings (Hebrews 13:5). Christ, the Law’s Fulfillment • Jesus never stole yet died between thieves, bearing the penalty for every violation of the Eighth Commandment (Isaiah 53:5). • In Him, repentant hearts exchange “gravel” for “living bread” (John 6:35). • The Spirit empowers believers to walk in integrity, proving that obedience is not mere rule-keeping but joyful freedom (Romans 8:1-4). Takeaway Truths • Theft promises sweetness but delivers shards. • God’s command protects from self-inflicted wounds and preserves community health. • Honest work and generous living satisfy more deeply than any stolen gain. • Christ redeems thieves and transforms them into stewards, ensuring the last taste is never gravel but grace. |
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