Notice that this Proverb does not end at this first phrase, but adds a completing thought in the second phrase, “… and look well to thy herds.” By using the word ‘look’, the writer is saying that we ought to place our attention…or mark the spot…we ought to focused on our herds. (By the way, Psalm 23: is about the Lord being our shepherd…and his great care for us.) Question: Do you know the state of your flocks? Are they hungry? Are they scared? Are they hurting? Are they tired? You see, it is the shepherds’ responsibility to meet the needs of the flock. Used in conjunction with the word ‘flock’, it appears to be saying that we really need to know how things stand with the flock. The next phrase, “…state of the flocks…” uses a plural form of a little used noun, literally meaning the face. The Lord is imploring us to really, really seek to know “…the state of thy flocks…” This is a translation of the same Hebrew word that is used in Proverbs 1:2, “To know wisdom…” This is not a casual phrase.
Verse 23 implores us to be “…diligent to know…”: literally to seek to recognize or understand.
Oh, the regrets that come later, when we remember would ‘should have…”! Oh, how often we see opportunity present itself only to be neglected. Life is fleeting, opportunity is only there for a short time…then it is gone. IF you could read verses 23-27 of this chapter, you would discover that todays’ devotional is not so much about the results of diligence, as it is about temporary opportunity. Proverbs 27:23 “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.”