Proverbs 2:17 “who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God”.
Sometimes you are really surprised by peoples behaviour, and not in such a great way really. It’s like they have completely forgotten the values of their parents and teachers.
I was working in a business that ran a night shift for deep cleaning. There was around 8 full-time staff on this team including the supervisor. I did not see them all that much as I was day shift Op’s Manager, but they came under my responsibilities. I got a note one day that one of the team wanted to speak to me, so I came back into the workplace late that night and we had a chat. The sum of what he was saying was a very serious complaint against the supervisor, which he said the rest of the team would substantiate.
I chatted to a few others on the team and received the same sort of information which was very worrying. I then made time to meet the supervisor the next night after I had a chance to talk to our HR team (who were in an office 200km away). The allegations were explained and completely denied. I had appointed the supervisor, I knew him and his family quite well and I had real trust in him. I was really perplexed, and to be honest I had expected him to come clean as he was a very honest man. The conversation went on for another week to ten days I think, with the allegations being supported by the whole team and the supervisor flatly denying every single allegation. I felt completely out of my depth and the HR person was not available for support at this time. I prayed.
One of the team asked to see me. He came in during the day. He told me the allegations were all lies made up by the first person to report them. This person wanted to be the supervisor and had hatched a plan to see the existing supervisor removed so he could apply for the job, and had promised the team how much better things would be with him in charge. He was persuasive and a bully and had the team doing what he wanted them to do, but this one person could no longer stand by and see the supervisor being destroyed. It was a breakthrough moment and an answer to prayer. To be honest, I was really astounded, I had never thought that a whole group of men would boldly lie for no good reason. I took the necessary action that day and also went to the supervisor’s house to apologise to him and his family for the distress that had been caused.
KNOWLEDGE
Again this short scripture is reminding us of what and who we are delivered from when we fully seek wisdom. A trap has been set. There are no ties that will cause this “adulteress” to stay with you – no matter if you think you have been great friends from childhood. She will not stay even if God himself has established an agreement in blood. This desirable woman who you imagine is your friend is an illusion – be prepared for disillusionment. She can drop you from her thoughts as quickly and easily as she drops you from her life.
Friend – This Scripture is reflecting back to the previous scripture where the “forbidden woman” is introduced to us. We desire her. We think happiness is with her, and for us, it is being with her. She will draw you in with her words. Although the description is of a woman, we can take the figurative licence with its description, to consider anything that we would desire and that we would give our heart to. The woman in question is a relevant cultural example for the writer to use to make their point.
Take care! Beware! Be prepared! Seek wisdom and understanding with all you have.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
“Companion” is an awesome word. Appearing in its English form 38 times in the ESV, from Ex 2:13, through to Heb 1:9. The original word – pronounced “‘allup”, appears 32 times in the ESV Old Testament, and is translated as, chiefs, companion, friends, gentle (lamb), and clan. This is more than how we may understand the word companion today, it’s a closer relationship, a partner, a bestie, an ally, someone who you can count on in every situation to be with you, to be at your side. Hmmmmm…. A gentle lamb who stays close by your side – do you see the image being created with this word?
WISDOM – which childhood ties or difficult experiences still have a hold on you? Will you let God come alongside and rescue you?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Deliberative – be aware not to continually focus on all that “could” go wrong, rather, use your caution to make great judgement calls.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version [who rejects and abandons their comrades and allies from their younger days, and completely erases from memory all of the promises and commitments of the all-powerful triune God].
PRAYER – Father, thank you for today. Please help me today to intentionally remind myself of who you are, of the prices you paid, and the plans that you have for us all.
For me today’s message is a gentle reminder that we live and learn, sometimes the hard way. Life is so much harder without God in it. Thanks Pastor Allan.
Thank you Allan.
Great Allan. Of late I’ve wondered how can the world without Jesus be coping?
He is my constant companion, Hallelujah! Interestingly , On occasion I like to look through the channels and stumble upon what I think will be an interesting film . Just last night I began watching a film on SBS and the beginning seemed to be an interesting story. But as it went on I could see it was further and further from my moral choices in films , hoping it would reveal some good or turn around because of what it presented as the opening scene. Long story short I turned it off after 30mins . In my spirit I could see the lure of the enemy to bait people who may be watching, into thinking something good would come of it. It was a ‘World Movie’ on SBS and it took on ALL of the world’s themes of Deceit, mistrust, sodomy , Pain, rejection etc what I thought was to be a love story of an educated English painter to a woman lead into unforeseen relationships within a university. A young man , nieve, who knew no love or interest from his father (his mother had passed) is lured by a Deceitful charming rich immature man into a friendship laced with immoral living in sodomy ,that quickly wrapped him up . This films lure (because that’s what the enemy does try) or worldly movie gave the viewer the impression all was ok for them to feel and behave that way because of their brokenness and need for love.
I felt very sad and angry that this broken man had been lured into a world of deceit but appeared to be of love , companionship and acceptance.
How cunning is this world to devour the helpless and vulnerable.
Lord this world needs a saviour. Help me to be reminded everyday to look at others with the lenses you wear looking over those you love. But protect me from the evil one. Amen
A further reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus & the things of earth shall grow strangely dim in the light of His glory & grace!! There is absolutely nothing the world has to offer us in trying to allure & tempt us into captivating our hearts compared to Jesus! If we grow more & more in Godly wisdom & understanding we will have a much better chance of discerning deceptions & temptations which will try & trip us up!
The story given today is a beautiful reminder that the best thing we can possibly do in any situation is pray. That’s when the breakthrough comes.
Wow, what an experience you went through in that business.
I like the thought of what a companion means – a close, reliable, loyal, gentle friend.
Thanks Ps Allan.
My past experiences,where I have not always listened to wisdom and instruction ,
God has always come alongside me and rescued me from the traps and destruction that I would have faced.
I can’t imagine my life without him .
No matter how bad life can get ,
I can be assured that my God is always there ,true to his promises.
My life has changed so much ,ever since I knew that I’m loved by my heavenly father .
That his love and grace is sufficient for me
Amen! Thank you Ps Allan
Blessings 🙏
Thank you, Pastor Allan, for reminding us that our Heavenly Father is always there for us. We are His children. It is easy to be led into the seductive ways of sin. But it is up to us to choose the right path and stay on it no matter how hard it is to resist the temptations of sin.
Thanks again Allan, the strong message is vigilance always be careful. The knowledge of God being always there on our side.
Thank you for the great prayer! Keep reminding us the price he paid for us before we fall short!