Omoluabi Podcast

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Omi ló dànù, agbè ò fọ́”

INTERPRETATION: "It is the water that is spilled; the water container is not broken."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: This proverb is usually used in consoling someone who has experienced a loss. It's a way of shifting their perspective from the loss in itself to the fact that there is still 'something left' -- something capable of giving rise to many more of what was lost.

For the Christian, that 'something' is, above all else, Christ in us! Hence Paul writes to the Colossians, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27b)

We reflected on the Proverb in a couple of dimensions.

1. WHEN HOPE IS DEFERRED. Solomon said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy." (Proverbs 13:12 TLB). We considered the possibility that God may actually use a cycle of seeming disappointments to lead us into exploring other alternatives of what we've always wanted, only to discover all along that sometimes, our 'Plan B' has been God's 'Plan A' all along!

2. HOPING AGAINST HOPE. We highlighted the case studies of Joseph and Sarah, both of who hoped in difficult circumstances (and Abraham, of course). In the case of Abraham and Sarah, we were told that they hoped against hope in the sense that inspite of Abraham's dead body and Sarah's dead womb, they judged God faithful and He came through for them. We therefore wrapped up the episode with the hope-inspiring scripture in Job 14:7-9 NKJV -- “For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground, Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant."

Scriptures Cited include:

✥ Job 14:7-9 NKJV which says "For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground, Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant."

✥ Acts 16:6-10 TLB which says "Next they traveled through Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the Turkish province of Asia Minor at that time. Then going along the borders of Mysia they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus said no. So instead they went on through Mysia province to the city of Troas. That night Paul had a vision. In his dream he saw a man over in Macedonia, Greece, pleading with him, “Come over here and help us.” Well, that settled it..."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Erín ńtú eruku; ẹfọ̀n ńtú eruku; títú eruku àjànàkú bo tẹfọ̀n mọ́lẹ̀.”

INTERPRETATION: "The elephant raises a cloud of dust; the buffalo raises a cloud of dust; the elephant’s ability to raise dust far surpasses the buffalo’s."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: This proverb speaks of the fact that some things (or people) are simply incomparable, no matter the similarities they share with others. They are simply beyond all competition!

This is the context in which this proverb will be normally used. As we reflected on the proverb from a biblical point of view, a few thoughts emerged:

1. UNIQUENESS. The fact is that a buffalo will always be a buffalo and an elephant will always be an elephant. By virtue of their differing sizes, they can not raise dust to the same extent. There is no point in comparing their dust-raising capabilities. Likewise, as Apostle Paul admonishes (and as we have repeatedly shared on this podcast), "they that compare themselves with themselves are not wise." For those who follow this podcast regularly, you may notice that the subject of COMPARISON has been recurrent (especially in Season 3). This wasn't planned; it just happened! (Perhaps, God wants to keep saying the same message to us until we get it.)

2. INCOMPARABILITY. In other words, the fact that the buffalo can (seemingly) do the same thing an elephant can do (i.e. raise dust) doesn't mean that they are mates. In like manner, the fact that the devil can sometimes do certain things that are (seemingly) powerful does not mean it can be compared to God ALMIGHTY. We know that whatever powers the devil may or may not have are still within the control of the ALMIGHTY, ALL-POWERFUL God!

And in human-to-human relationships, to give a biblical example, the fact that some self-acclaimed "super-Apostles" in Corinth can show certificates validating their 'apostolic authority' (in a manner of speaking) while Apostle Paul had no such certificates or 'letters of recommendations' does not mean that their ministerial worth can be compared to Apostle Paul's! (And Paul showed them their level in Chapters 10-13 of 2 Corinthians.

Scripture Cited include:

✥ 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV says "and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

✥ Matthew 28:18 KJV says "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"

✥ 2 Corinthians 10:12 ERV says "We don’t dare put ourselves in the same class with those who think they are so important. We don’t compare ourselves to them. They use themselves to measure themselves, and they judge themselves by what they themselves are. This shows that they know nothing."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Àtètèdáyé ò kan tọrọ̀; Ọlọ́run ní ńṣe orí owó.”

INTERPRETATION: "Primogeniture (the state of being the firstborn child) has nothing to do with wealth; it is God Who assigns wealth to (people's) destinies."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb counsels against seeking riches by all means rather than fundamentally acknowledging the sovereignty of God in the determination of who gets 'wealthy' in life. This was discussed vis-a-vis our roles as God's children in wealth creation. 

Scripture Cited include:

✥ 2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV says "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

✥ Matthew 26:11 NIV says "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."

✥ Philemon 1:6 AMP says "I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective and powerful because of your accurate knowledge of every good thing which is ours in Christ."

✥ Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV says "And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ohun tó ṣe àgùntàn tó fi kó òtútù; bó ṣe ewúrẹ́, á ṣe aláìsí.”

INTERPRETATION: "The condition that gave a sheep a cold, if it befell a goat, would result in its death."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb warns us against being so foolhardy that we dare what others do without having what others have. It reinforces the message of avoiding to compare ourselves with others which, according to Apostle Paul, is an unwise thing to do (2 Corinthians 10:12).

From the perspective of the biblical categories of 'sheep' and 'goat', we are reminded that sheep have something most goats don't have: A SHEPHERD. We must endeavour to do life under God's shepherdhood in order to reduce our likelihood of being susceptible to harm.

Scripture Cited include:

✥ 2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV says "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."

✥ Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV says "1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Bí a bá fi inú wénú, iwọ là ńjẹ.”

INTERPRETATION: "If we compare notes with others, we wind up eating bile."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: If you've ever had to kill a chicken before, you will probably be familiar with the fact that you have to carefully remove the gall bladder and dispose of it. Why? The liquid inside that green sack is extremely bitter! So this proverb is a warning that when we compare our fortunes with others', we are literally inviting bitterness into our lives. 

Apostle Paul alludes to this principle in one of his letters to the Corinthians, viz: "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."

Scripture Cited include:

✥ 2 Corinthians 10:12 TPT says "Of course, we wouldn’t dare to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. They compare themselves to one another and make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and then they judge themselves by their own standards. What self-delusion!"

✥ Proverbs 26:4-5 KJV says "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit."

✥ Proverbs 11:14 NKJV says "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ọtí gbélé ahun ó kan.”

INTERPRETATION: "Wine stays in the home of the miser until it goes sour."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb admonishes us to share rather than hoard. To hoard is to deny oneself of the superlative indescribable joy of being the reason behind someone else's happiness. Jesus modelled this kind of generosity and we are supposed to pay it forward!

Scriptures Cited include:

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ọdọọdún nìrèké ńso.”

INTERPRETATION: "The sugarcane flourishes annually."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb is typically used as a new year prayer for a perennial good fortune. The idea is that as surely as the sugarcane will yet again flourish in the new year, we can expect good fortune yet again! The truth is that God, in His Providence, delightfully and continuously offers us multiple opportunities to start again, dream again and hope again. Every new day, new week, new month and new year offers us this opportunity, and so thus 2022. Will you embrace the limitless opportunities this year has to offer by embracing the wisdom of this proverb?

Another tangent we considered the proverb from is based on the fact that sugarcane actually takes many months to grow and a full year to mature. In other words, the sugarcanes that cannot but flourish annually didn't sprout overnight. It takes time. This should remind us that there is a divine-timing factor that we must bear in mind for both our disappointments from the previous year and our hopes and dreams for the new year. But with God being for us, we can be assured that He is always in the business of doing new things in 'now moments,' and so we can hope for the best in the new year!

Scriptures Cited include:

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: "Ìpọ́njú àgbẹ̀ ò ju ọdún kan."

INTERPRETATION: "A farmer’s suffering will not last longer than a year."  

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb is based on the concept of sowing (planting) and harvesting. The understanding is that if a farmer plants and begins to suffer for lack of resources or even lack of food to eat, such a reversal in his circumstance is but for a moment. Because he has sown, he can look forward WITH HOPE to the harvest, which, in the worst-case scenario, will come in a year's time.

This brings a lot of scriptures to mind.

An important question to ask, though, as Anu points out, is "In 'who' is our hope — in God or in efforts?" To have faith in yourself is to put a pressure you can't keep up with on yourself. To have faith in God, however, is to believe in the One Who is able to do and undo.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

"Prophesy Your Promise" by Bryan & Katie Torwalt 

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: "Àparò ò ga ju ara-a wọn lọ, àfi èyí tó gun ebè."

INTERPRETATION: "No partridge is taller than another except for those standing on earth mounds." (Earth mounds are little heaps of soil usually made with a hoe; in the farm, crops like yam and cassava are planted into the heaps.) 

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: Usually, this proverb is said of a group of people among whom there is none that stands out. We, however, considered the proverb from the perspective of laying emphasis on the latter part of it. Yes, partridges are alike when they are all standing on the same ground, however, if one of them goes on to stand on an earth mound, such will stand out among the rest.

We considered this from the angle of SALVATION BY GRACE. All humans are alike (like partridges) in the sense that we are all sinners. Irrespective of our varying levels of self-righteousness, they all amount to filthy rags relative to God's standard of righteousness. The only way to be acceptable to God, therefore, is to stand NOT in our righteousness, but in HIS righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus made this possible by His atoning death and triumphant resurrection. Anyone who believes in Him, therefore, has, proverbially speaking, "climbed the earth mound" that makes such a person STAND OUT among others.

In the same vein, both in our secular work and our spiritual service in God's vineyard, we need to always ask ourselves, "what earth mounds do you need to climb to stand out of the rest?" As Anu urges us all, we must endeavour to avoid limiting ourselves to people's perception of us in our service to God and to men; as long as we stay in tune with the Holy Spirit obeying His every prompting, we will always stand out among our equals.

BIBLICAL REFERENCE

2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:12-13

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/

PROVERB CONSIDERED: "Bí ayé bá ńyẹni, ìwà ìbàjẹ́ là ńhù."

INTERPRETATION: "If life is being good to one, one is likely to act disgracefully."

MEANING: Prosperity (especially material-wise) comes with a temptation to misbehave.

REFLECTION: The idea this proverb posits is found all over the Bible. God repeatedly warned the Israelites of the tendency for them to forget that it was God who gave them the power to get wealth when they get to the promised land and inherited houses they didn't build and harvest in fields where they had not laboured. (And, indeed, they forgot God on multiple occasions in their history.) The same tendency is common to all humans, really.

In our exposition, we reflected on the scenario of the United Kingdom where the land of the Welsh revival of the early 20th century and the land where the likes of Charles Spurgeon preached powerfully has now become the land where there are more atheists than there are adherents of any faith. They no longer see the need for God because they tend to have most of the things that an average person in the third world will have to pray to God to get.

Likewise, Anu cited the case of a celebrity who gained weight at some point and was able to lose the weight after a while. However, rather than empathise with those who are having weight issues, she went online speaking disparagingly about such people, forgetting that she was just like that as well, not too long ago!

We concluded with the beautiful prayer in Proverbs 30:8-9 (TLB) which says, "...give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs! For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name."

BIBLICAL REFERENCE: Proverbs 30:7-9

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/

✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA

https://linktr.ee/josephola

https://josephola.disha.page/