Eknath Easwaran's Commentary
One way of representing God is with a holy hammer in his pocket. When he finds we are being irresponsible, when he sees us going in the wrong direction, he takes out this little hammer and gives us a gentle rap on the knuckles. If we are really good students we shall be able to learn with just this one small rap. There are a few rare creatures who have this capacity to learn. Most of us, however, would not be able to change our ways if the only guidance the Lord gave us was, “Won’t you please consider this very carefully and act upon it if you approve?” The vast majority of us go on making the same mistake over and over again. It is only when the raps become painful that we bother to ask where they come from and how we can put an end to them. We have to be shocked into awareness that we are injuring ourselves and others. Then, through all the little decisions we make day in and day out, we have to work to transform our sorrow-producing habits into acts that lead to increasing joy.