Prov 8:26 [ESV] Before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.
I have known so many people in my life now. Some were wealthy beyond what I could ever think I could be (with money and possessions) and some have been poorer than I could ever imagine I could be, living on rice and maybe beans each day, and working long hard days in the fields six or seven days a week.
I also have experienced poverty, homelessness, no food for days, and no money for weeks at a time.
I have sat with the poorest people of earth and gained wisdom from their smiles and their simplicity. I have eaten with the rich and listened to their problems and their worries.
I’ve asked myself time and time again what it is that I value, and what it is I want to be known for. I have tried to peer into the future and see what I may become, dependant on the path I was on that day.
I have resolved to somehow use what God has put into this dust to help other dust live with dignity, peace and joy, and to come to know the greatest one of all.
KNOWLEDGE – There is a hint here possibly of the authority of mankind that God had planned for the earth. The picture created by “the first of the dust” could be seen as “the authority or headship of the dust”, which is a strange thing to say. However the same word used here for dust, is found in Gen 2:7 [ESV] Then the Lord God formed the man of the dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Isn’t it just the nature of God to take the lowest things and raise them up? What could be lower than dirt?
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?
The word for “dust” in Hebrew is pronounced as ” ‘apar ” and carries the meanings “dust, earth, soil, a figure of something that cannot be counted”.
The LXX reads as ” [The] Lord made regions and uninhabited places and uttermost parts of the uninhabitable world under the heavens” The word here is άκρα [akra] – and this word does appear in the New Testament six times, with the meaning of “the uttermost part”.
WISDOM
What one thing could I do today that would be a blessing top God?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Positivity as a Gallup Strength is courageous and carries contagious enthusiasm for the new opportunities of each day. Be careful not to drift into unrealistic optimism.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – before he had made all the earth, with the countryside or its authoritive parts of the infinite soil and the dust of the earth.
Before he had made – before he had made
the earth – all of the earth
with its fields – with the countryside
or the first – or it’s authoritive parts
of the dust – of the infinite soil and dust
of the world – of the earth
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me today to remind myself of who you are and to sit with you in peace and with a heart to hear what you say.
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