June 21
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THE DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT
17 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 For, while speaking out arrogant words of no value they entice by fleshly desires, by indecent behavior, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what anyone is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” – 2 Peter 2:17-22
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In this letter, Peter once again addresses those deceivers who have been inching their way in to corrupt the church. Peter describes these false prophets who preys on the believers as springs that are dried up for whom the darkness is reserved for. In verse 18, Peter exposes their tactic. They speak false arrogant and erroneous words to lie and get the believers to be derailed from their faith. They promise false freedom when they are not free themselves. In verse 20, Peter says that even if they have escaped the worlds’ judgment, they won’t be able to run away from God’s judgment and wrath.
In verse 22, Paul repeats Proverbs 26:11. This proverb means that fools are likened to dogs. It means that fools are stubborn and unable to adapt or be resilient. The simile “the dog eats its vomit again, even though this may be poisonous for him. In biblical times, dogs were considered unclean because they scavenge the dead and they are described as repugnant creatures which symbolizes evil. The vomit represents the result of extreme indulgence which is disgusting. In Proverbs 27:22, we get a better glimpse of fools when it says “Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, will not remove their folly from them.” They are people lacking moral behavior or discipline. There are many verses in the book of Proverbs that describes what fools are. They are despicable and oftentimes contrasted with the wise, who are prudent, disciplined and walk in the truth that comes from the word of God.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think foolishness is a sin? Why or why not?