This verse discusses their situation, not their character. They “are shunned by all their relatives,” “their friends avoid them!” and “they are nowhere to be found” even “though the poor pursue them with pleading.”
It’s a sad scene. No one who knows them, and should care, really does. The poor have no one to whom they can turn – except God!
While it’s possible this poor person had done something wrong, there’s nothing said to suggest they did. Instead, this ancient wise saying may have been like some of our modern laments – like PLOM (Poor Little Old Me!).
Or it might have been sort of an ancient reality check. We all need to understand, accept and make the most of our situation and what we do have.
Yet, I’ll offer another thought. While family and friends may have deserted the poor, there are others – even strangers to them – who don’t! That’s the way it is here at Helping Up Mission.
Some guys’ people are nowhere to be found – although I’m happy to report that many still are! Yet, here, God has raised up an incredible army of others who care and will help.
Folks who have never met any of our men here support our efforts because it’s right, because they care and because that’s what God told them to do!