Articles
Do Not Be a Leaky Vessel
Being sojourners (1 Pet. 2:11) in this world should create in us a desire to seek a country, as did Abraham who “waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10).
As is true with any pursuit an ardent seeker will become a student of their given hobby or vocation. YouTube may provide a video on the how-to of repairing your vehicle, and/or a leaky pipe. However, a quick fix does not a mechanic or plumber make. The education will come when the wrench attempts to dislodge a baked in bolt, or the removing and replacing of a copper pipe/fitting.
Jehovah was focused attention on the need of Israel to acquire an education of the scriptures. The apostle Paul spoke of been brought up “at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God” (Acts 22:3). Jehovah said to Moses, “Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children” (Deut. 4:10).
The scriptures reveal that “Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk. 2:52). Jesus “advanced.” The term “advanced,” i.e., “to drive forward (as if by beating), that is, (figuratively and intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along): - increase, proceed, profit, be far spent, wax” (Vine’s). To be successful in these areas requires focused attention. Solomon, as he personified wisdom, had this to say: “Wisdom crieth aloud in the street; She uttereth her voice in the broad places; She crieth in the chief place of concourse; At the entrance of the gates, In the city, she uttereth her words: How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you; I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof: I also will laugh in the day of your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as a storm, And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come upon you. Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of Jehovah: They would none of my counsel; They despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices. For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, And shall be quiet without fear of evil” (Prov. 1:20-33).
Our Creator has given us many things to appreciate and enjoy, but has also given us a responsibility to be skillful in that which we pursue in life. Solomon said, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest” (Eccl. 9:10). An inspiring example of diligence is Ezra (who was by birth in the lineage of Aaron), who “was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which Jehovah, the God of Israel, had given… For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Jehovah, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances” (Ezra 7:6, 10).
Set your heart, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth” (Col. 3:1-2). Your other option? “By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh” (Eccl. 10:18). Do not be a leaky vessel. Ross
- Do_Not_Be_a_Leaky_Vessel.pdf (75.88 kB)
