November 30

Nov 30 - Today from Proverbs 30 we look at verses 21-23
"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes a king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."

"Three things . . . four" was a poetic literary tool of the day to inform the student that the list of illustrations was not complete, but was assembled to serve as examples. As is common with Eastern philosophy, thought is conveyed by illustrations and the learned were to extract the concepts. Here we are given four illustrations. The student is challenged to look for the common denominator within the illustrations and develop the multi-dimensional concepts contained therein. The first common element found in the examples is already stated; they 'cause the earth to tremble'. Even this is an illustration. It brings to mind an earthquake - an uncontrollable situation that makes it difficult to keep your feet under you. Thus the four illustrations before us reveal a multi-dimensional concept of uncontrollable situations that make it difficult for those involved to maintain stability in life.
Wisdom is understanding life the way God meant it to be. Thus, we begin from the premise that stability in life comes by living out God’s purpose for us in life. God purposed that man was to live in a serving community, and was to worship God alone. The second common element we see in the illustrations is promotion. Social instability comes when people are promoted to places of greater honor, authority, or influence, and are not emotionally or spiritually mature enough to handle their newfound positions in accordance with God's purposes. Their self-centered shortcomings are now going to cause instability in the lives of those affected by their influence. Because they do not possess a servant-heart, it is certain that they will abuse their authority or influence in ways that will cause 'the earth to tremble' for those who live in proximity to them.
By carefully thinking through the four illustrations, how well do you think that the main character in each illustration will display a humble heart before God and set themselves to properly serving their fellow man?
The lesson for the student? If through God's providence, you should find yourself promoted to a position of greater influence or authority, remember that there is responsibility attached to that position. The first responsibility is to God - to live humbly in His presence and to consider your position as an office of His service. He is to lead. The second responsibility is to those who are affected by your position. You are responsible to see that their world is not shaken by any self-serving attitude, but rather that they find stability in your service to them.
In Luke 12:42-46, Jesus gives His own illustration of servants who have been promoted to positions of responsibility. The faithful and wise manager will give his fellow servants their food allowance at the proper time, thus assuming responsibility of the Master's goods. They will be duly rewarded. The unfaithful will become impatient and distracted and will abuse their position and use the Master's goods for their own pleasures. On that day, it won't be good for them. He ends the illustration with this concluding thought found in verse 48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." When Providence promotes us, Providence also gives us greater responsibility. Responsible to draw near to God and learn from Him, and responsible to our fellow man to serve him as God would have us serve.