Job 11:12 For an empty-headed man will be wise when a wild donkey's colt is born a man.
I have talked about this verse before in an earlier column. Can't you just hear the exasperation and the deep frustration? I can and it makes me laugh. It reminds me of Solomon saying "Living with a contentious woman is like incessant, dripping rain." (Loose paraphrase).
And here is another one, Proverbs 11:22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. That is so true and said with such a twist of humor I can't help but laugh at the image it draws into focus.
And this one, Proverbs 21:9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. Solomon liked this one so much he said it again in Proverbs 25:24.
We are not so different from the people of biblical times. It is why the Bible is such a timely book, and we can so easily apply it to our own lives and our own life situations. We have the same frustrations, the same things bother us, things like nagging, and worrying. We have the same kinds of temptations and the same temptations also drag us into the mud. Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.
People are humans, so why are we so surprised when we discover a leader has feet of clay? Christians sin. Paul gives discusses this tendency toward sin in 1Corinthians and even with a bit more exasperation in second Corinthians. "Why can't you get it right?" he seems to ask. Pastors sin just like regular people; and government officials sin and it's called making a mistake.
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
The difference is that pastors repent, and government officials make excuses. Christians do not always understand the battle ground. Let us seek the wisdom of God rather than the wisdom of man.
Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.
She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.
If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon