Day 134, Year 1

Being a Citizen with Understanding

“By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.” (Proverbs 28:2 NASB)

“Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1 NASB)

Both today’s verses convey the same fact that a small problem could ruin the whole. Conversely, believers’ divine wisdom, understanding, and knowledge need to be comprehensive and far-reaching. For God’s kingdom to expand on earth effectively, we should become wise and knowledgeable and thoroughly eradicate the foolishness and corruption in our lives.

The first verse somewhat reflects the situation in the community of believers—leaders are important, but what is more crucial is whether there are understanding and knowledgeable members within, and how much capability they have to handle the sins related to the community. Thus, the upright, the prudent, and the wise mentioned previously need to cooperate to serve God’s kingdom and to eradicate the sins within the community, for the sins within it are not always easily handled by a few leaders alone. This could be achieved in two ways. On the one hand, we should pay attention to these three types of people in the community, regularly meet with them, and constructively discuss the community’s needs and challenges. It is because the reception and application of wisdom and understanding should be shown as a collaborative effort for common good. And we should strive to be even wiser and more understanding with knowledge. On the other hand, actively reach out to upright, understanding, or wise unbelievers. Engage with them frequently, as they usually have great potential to believe in Jesus. 

Furthermore, the “dead flies” in the second verse of today are a metaphor for evil from a New Testament perspective. They might symbolize the residual, putrefying work of the devil. We need to pay attention to the minor yet evil works inflicted directly or through social groups on us, as the lingering influence of the sinful work far exceeds the fragrance of divine wisdom and understanding over the years. Thus, we should rely on the Lord’s help to thoroughly cleanse even the traces of the devil’s work. Note that it is to cleanse, not conceal the foul odor hidden in our lives, because it will eventually be uncovered. Additionally, there is a fatal temptation in the minds of some believers, which is to indulge in committing little sins or minor foolishness. This indulgence in petty sins can be devastating, for it would surely ruin the fruit of the wisdom God imparts and could tarnish the fruit of years spent seeking knowledge and wisdom.

Reflection questions:

1) Are there any upright, understanding, or wise people around you whom you should interact with more often? If so, please pray for them first.

2) Do you think that there are “dead flies” in your life that need to be thoroughly removed? How should believers cleanse the residue of the devil’s work with the help of the Lord?