His
disciples came and asked him, "Why do you use parables when you talk to
the people?" He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets
of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my
teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of
knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding
they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For
they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen
or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 'When you hear
what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not
comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot
hear, and they have closed their eyes--so their eyes cannot see, and their ears
cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and
let me heal them.' "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your
ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous
people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to
hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it. Matthew 13:10-17
Solomon
begins the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament with…
 |
| What can you learn from the wise rooster? Second hand shop Tel Aviv, Israel. |
These are the proverbs of Solomon,
David's son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and
discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is
to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what
is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge
and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become
even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the
meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their
riddles. Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools
despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:1-7 (Underlined for emphasis.)
Parables are merely stories that give practical teaching…that put to use
everyday ways and common sense to help people see the truth in life. Things
that make sense…like agricultural things for farmers and sweeping floors for
housewives.
I thought we don’t have much use for parables today…and then I thought
about TV shows and the subtle teaching that goes on through so many
programs—whether it is children’s programs, cooking shows or murder mysteries
for adults. Listen closely to the next movie or TV program you watch. Are there
some underlying values being “taught” or encouraged? Is there unnecessary
brutality being used to convey a problem or a solution? Parables can be very
subtly used to introduce an acceptance or tolerance of some social issue. Take
care what you and your children watch and the “parables” used to tell the
stories.
Prayer
~ Lord God, Thank You for opening our eyes with Your use of parables so that we
see the predicament of society today. Help us to choose the right path…that all
we say and do would bring You glory.
Daily
Bible Reading: Proverbs 10-12
© 2018 Text and photo
by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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