“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the hay is removed and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your maidens.” Proverbs 27:23-27
Devotional Thought For The Day
All the commentators lump these verses together and consider them to be a kind of general synopsis of wisdom in regard to agricultural life. The principle point is care in maintaining the healthy condition of one’s livestock, in that land and animals provide a more secure economic base than riches or privileged position. No doubt the author had seen instances where one’s riches were depleted, and without a source of income the person came to some form of ruin. Likewise, the author had no doubt observed that monarchical succession was not guaranteed, that ruling houses fell and other families took power. However, season by season flocks and herds are fed and nourished under wise agricultural management and yield clothing, capital for land acquisition, and enough food to sustain the entire household and workers. The same principles are still generally true to this day.
It is a concern then that literally millions of people have been removed from farm life and have relocated to cities. The reasons for this are varied and complex, but one can see that the wisdom of this proverb has been rejected, forgotten, or never taught to large numbers of people living in the modern world of today. Hopefully no disaster will ever strike our nation so that the many who have no involvement in the production of food are endangered with complete ruin and starvation, unable to feed and support themselves. Of course, clothing and food doesn’t seem like riches unless you are without them, and without means to obtain them. And it is hard work – long days, and work every day, to sustain a farm. Likewise, it requires a certain education and mastery of animals and fields to succeed and to thrive. It is a much more complex and technical knowledge that is required today, and those who succeed deserve a great deal of admiration.
There seems to be little in these verses that pertain to our spiritual life, until we recall that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, so that all that is advised in this proverb is mastered by Jesus in His care for us, both in body and soul. [John 10:10-18] He lays down His life for the sheep, and stands firm in protecting the sheep from ravenous wolves. He knows the condition of His sheep and gives us His attention; in fact He knows all of His sheep and they know Him. And though His power and prerogative never fail, still He tends gently and nourishingly to all His sheep, making our welfare His highest priority. He does not depend upon us for life and sustenance; He gives His life for us that we may have life and sustenance, and eternal life in His heavenly kingdom. He supplies us with the milk of His Word so that we enter into the joy of knowing His gracious love and mercy for us, and are nursed to health and grown to spiritual maturity.
Finally, we too are called upon to have the same care and concern for those around us – not only taking great care to provide physical support for those of our household, but also caring for the spiritual welfare of family and friends and acquaintances. We are to love as God has loved us – which includes laying down our lives for others, defending them from wolves, and getting to truly know them and their condition. We do so not for our own benefit, to feed off of others and enrich ourselves, but rather to spend ourselves in loving service to others, that they too may live, and live eternally in the joy of God’s grace, mercy, and love. We serve them by returning them to Jesus, the great Good Shepherd – as Peter describes it: “For you were as sheep going astray, but now you are returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” [1 Pet. 2:25] God grant such blessedness and joy to each of us.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to grow in wisdom and understanding, so that we grasp and comprehend Your great and tender love for us and the care with which You nourish us each day. Grant us not only practical wisdom for this temporal earthly life, but most importantly the spiritual wisdom of knowing You and Your love for us. Help us to grow bolder in our faith and trust in You and Your love, so that we are freed to give attention to the condition and needs of those around us, and tend to them. Give us courage in all matters and circumstances, knowing that You have our backs here and for eternity. Amen.