Perpetual and Eternal

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

PERPETUAL AND ETERNAL

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; 24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. 25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, 26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. 27 You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.

NIV

We would have to think this has meaning to only those of ancient times who tended sheep as a profession. It appears it speaks about trusting in all other resources is mere foolishness because the flock of sheep and goats will provide all that is needed and continue to grow in number and provisions. But we are not shepherds nor do we have any flocks, but still there is something to be said about not putting our trust in riches or a crown, which might well refer to a position in life. As for the new growth of grass and the field, we cannot be sure because again, it seems it only has meaning to those who tend the flocks. What is, if any, the meaning for our lives? Because great care is given in these instructions about making sure of the condition of the flocks, we might see a truth. The fact is no matter what are calling in life is, we should know the condition of it. That is we should know first our calling, the state of its affairs. If we are called to be a business person that careful attention to that business, but this might be seen as making sure it is profitable and that would be obtaining riches which do not endure. Maybe this only speaks to those who pastor a church, and they make sure they know the spiritual condition of their congregation, the flock to which they have been called to tend. It could also be directed to all who are the head of their household, looking after the members of their family. Then again it might also be directed to all of us, as we all have been called by God to some ministry, or task to benefit his kingdom. To this we should know the condition of our calling. Are we distracted by the riches or the crown in this life, which are only temporary, they will not endure. But the condition of our calling, first to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, spirit and strength and secondly to serve God without a divided heart looking after the things of the world. We need to see the eternal provisions in the lamb, as it has paid the price for the field, our salvation and it continues to provide us with milk, or sustenance, that which is eternal not temporal. The lamb provides this for those who serve, it would be implied, the Lord, the master of the house. So let us be diligent in our calling, whatever that may be. Let us focus our attention on that which is eternal, which is our perpetual and eternal provision.