The Hedge Breaker
Ecclesiastes 10:8
PLAN OF THE DAY
I will respect the barriers that keep me safe. I will use my experience and judgement to check for the safety of others.
READ ECCLESIASTES 10:8
“He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.” (NKJV)
The Hedge Breaker
In the ancient world, stone walls and hedges were used to mark boundaries. Snakes loved to nest in the gaps. If a man was careless or impatient and tried to break through the wall to take a shortcut, he risked disturbing the serpent hiding inside.
The spiritual lesson is clear: when you break God’s boundaries, you invite destruction. The workplace lesson is just as true.
We have hedges everywhere — Machine Guards, Barricades, and other physical controls.
Why do we break them? Usually for the same reason the man in the proverb did. We want a short way around.
When you remove a safety control, you are breaking the hedge. You might save five minutes, but you are exposing yourself and your team to the serpent — the spinning blade, the live wire, the dropped object.
The bite of the serpent is fast and unforgiving. The wall is not there to annoy you; it is there to separate you from the snake. Respect the barriers put in place to keep you safe.
Faith in Action
Witnessing through our work means living these principles where we stand. Here is how you can apply this devotional today:
For the Laborer and Apprentice: Don’t Touch It
The Action: If you see a machine with the guard missing or a panel open, do not use it. Get it out of service immediately.
The Witness: You don’t walk past a problem and leave it to someone else. You model care and respect.
For the Journeyman: Check and Double Check
The Action: Before you start your work, check the barricades and safeguards. Are they poorly located for the task? Are they sufficient?
The Witness: You demonstrate the value of your experience and use it to assure the safety of others. Wisdom multiplies.
For the Foreman: Zero Tolerance
The Action: If you see a crew member bypass a safety interlock, cross a barricade or tape back a guard, stop them immediately and explore the deviation.
The Witness: Was breaking the barrier a choice? Did your teammate get trapped into a decision between getting the work done and observing the rules? Use your authority to build resilience and protect the team.
Prayer
Lord, I confess that I am often impatient and sometimes view safety rules and guards as obstacles that slow me down. Forgive me for breaking the hedge You have placed around me. Remind me that safeguards are there for my protection. Give me the wisdom and patience to do the job the right way and assure the safeguards are adequate for my team. Amen.