How Can Someone Misinterpret This?

1. Proverbs 29:18
There are a couple of ways that I think someone could easily misinterpret this. Throughout the book of Proverbs, it speaks of the importance of community and togetherness (Proverbs 14:11; 27:17; 17:17). Therefore, after reading many of these passages that seemingly point us toward this idea of living in community with one another, it would almost seem natural to interpret this verse in a similar was. Perhaps a misinterpretation could be “if there is no one to lead with vision (perhaps misinterpreted as gusto), then people fall”, which may in fact be true but I do not believe this is a good interpretation of this verse. Also, it could be tempting to think about this verse in light of graduating high school or college. That

Moreover, the justice is ensured by someone who is ruling over another like a parent or king, for instance. After considering the context in which the verse is found in as well as referencing various commentaries, I think this verse is meant to point us back to God. The word “vision” refers to “the actual contact between God and the Human spirit”, as the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges puts it. Therefore, I think the verse can rightfully be interpreted in the following way: “when there is no contact with God, people fall”. This can be applied in many ways. First, life is much harder when we try to leave God out of our personal life. The people around us can always bring comfort and support, but there will always be a lingering hole that only God can fill and satisfy. Secondly, I think this verse stresses the importance of our personal connection with God. Using the imagery of “people falling” reminds us that even whole cities crumble without the guidance of God (this is reinforced by several bible passages in the Old Testament). Therefore, I think another way people can apply this verse would be to purposefully carve time out of their day to spend time with God in Prayer or through reading his

The passage is in the context of the sermon on the mount. Many times, Jesus tells his disciples not to be like the hypocrites of his time (in prayer, in giving, or in judgement). Ironically, these hypocrites Christ speaks of here are the religious people or the Pharisees. In particular, Christ pointed out a problem with the Pharisees in the passage about prayer (Matt. 6:5-15) when he says “…for [the hypocrites] love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others” (brackets added for clarification). This reveals the underlying issue with the Pharisees in that their prayer is not genuine, but rather done with the intent for their own gain. Based on the context and audience, I believe that a quality interpretation of this verse could be, “do not judge others without being willing to be judged yourself.” There is a correct way to live and that is the way that God has laid out for us in His Holy Word. This is what needs to be supported and defended. However, we need to realize that we too are subject to the same law. Just because we are Christians does not give us a free pass to dive into our fleshly desires. In fact, Paul tells us, not to “use your freedom for fleshly desires; but serve one another humbly.” Rather, when we as believers are faced with a situation of addressing a sin, whether it be to a fellow Christian or