DEVOTION
PROVERBS
UMBRELLA OF TRUTH
Prov 28:3
3 A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no
crops.
NIV
Not sure why this translation uses ruler when the original language as
well as other translations say a poor man who opposes the poor. This
translation does contain a footnote noting that ruler is also poor.
Nevertheless how does a poor man oppose a poor man? Actually the original
wording is more like a poor man who opposes the weak is like a rain sweeping
leaving no food. But still what does a poor man who opposes the weak have to do
with us? Alas, there may be something in here worth considering. Let us
consider the difference between one who is poor and one who is rich. But let us
not see this in the material, but is in spiritual. We are the rich on all
accounts knowing the saving grace of our Lord. We are rich in life, for Christ
has given us eternal life. We have the Spirit dwelling within us who brings
spiritual gifts with him, along with all truth. He also brings fruit for us to
bear. We have a personal relationship with our Lord. The poor miss out on all
that plus more. They are lost and are dying, for they have no eternal life.
They are doomed to destruction, or the lake of burning sulfur, a place of
torment. So then they spread their poor pitiful lifestyle on the weaker ones
who listen to their babble. In essence they then take away the opportunity for
the weaker people to partake in the bread of life, the eternal food of God. We
have the bread of life, we have food which does not spoil, they have nothing
because the non-believer, the poor, or in some sense the leader of the pack,
which could be seen as a ruler opposes the weak minded with non-belief. This
might be a false prophet, a false teacher or it might be a government official,
both are poor without the truth of God. In either case, they are relentless in their
efforts to keep the weaker people under their influence. They are like a
driving rain, sweeping away any truth about the bread of life. They flood the
minds of the weak with their trash, so there is no room for the real food that
leads to eternal life. This is why we have to be the voice in the wilderness
crying out, prepare the way for the Lord. We have to be out there in the world
speaking up for the truth. We have to take down the trash-talkers, the driving
rain, with the truth. We need to provide people with the umbrella of truth
which keeps the rain from sweeping away the bread of life. Truth brings strength
to the weak, strength to overcome the sweeping rain. This rain is nothing more
than the flaming arrows of the devil and God has provided us with his armor to
keep them from doing any damage to us. Let us bring his truth to the people that
they might no longer be weak and opposed by those who would bring them death. Let
us bring them the umbrella of truth.
1 comment:
Hello Brother. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am blessed by the devotion. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honored to get connected with you as well as know you through your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I HAVE been in the Pastoral ministry for last 38 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have your grown up children, grand children or young people from your contact who have their interest in missions to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have a life changing experience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends as well as wishing you a blessed and a Christ centered New year.
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