Dog

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. Proverbs 26:17 ESV

 I love the vividness of this illustration! If you grab a passing dog's ears, it's not going to end well for you. Similarly, if we meddle in quarrels not our own, that's not going to have a good outcome. 

I think of many wars that are fought in the Middle East. When Western (or Eastern for that matter!) countries wade in, it just seems to make a messy situation even worse. If two people are fighting and you try and intervene, they may well both turn on you! 

I'm reminded of Moses who tried to resolve a dispute. But his murder of an Egyptian had gone before him, and destroyed any credibility he might have wanted as a would be mediator. This proverb doesn't bode well for successive US presidents who seems to take it upon themselves to bring peace to the Middle East, and only end up creating more war. 

Having said all that, it is also true that peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called children of God. Perhaps in view of this proverb Jesus is referring to those who are able to make even their enemies be at peace with them. Or at the very least, peacemakers refuse to retaliate when persecuted.

 "God of peace, we praise You for making peace with us. Help us to make peace with others, and not to wade into conflicts that aren't our own. For Your name's sake, amen"

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