"Whoever Isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement."
The phrase 'self-isolation' has become a part of our everyday language since this lockdown began. Some people have been self isolating because they have coronavirus or at least corona- like symptoms. Others are isolating because they are vulnerable due to age or underlying health conditions. Whatever the case people are isolating or self-isolating for good reasons. To protect their own health and the health and safety of others. This the right kind of self-isolation.
Early on in this lockdown, I was reading proverbs. I came across a verse that described what we might call the wrong kind of self-isolation! Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 1, describes the persons who is isolating themselves when there is no need for them to do so. They are isolating because they are unwise and selfish. This person 'seeks their own desire.' they aren't really concerned about the needs of others. They aren't worried about helping and being amongst other people. They would rather use the time to do just what they want to do.
Neither do they see that they need other people. 'He breaks out against all sound judgement.' This is the kind of person who doesn't think that they need the help, input or wisdom of others. Perhaps a person with a quarrelsome and divisive personality. The person who thinks he doesn't need others is a fool. As Christians we know this just as much as anyone else, how much we need our Church, our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need others to speak into our lives and help us grow and mature in our faith. We have so much to learn from those around us.
Isolation is also foolish because it can be a breeding ground for sin. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he was meant to be at battle leading his men (2 Samuel 11 v 1). However we are told that he sent Joab and the others out to battle but he remained at Jerusalem. Just before that fateful moment where he sees Bathsheba bathing, we are told that he was on his couch (verse 2). This leads to David committing adultery, followed by lies and eventually murder. Of course we can sin when we are amongst other people, but there is a danger in having too much time to ourselves.