Introductory Thoughts
During Bible times, even the average individual understood a great deal concerning agriculture. This meant that the laws of sowing and reaping were quite familiar to them. They understood that sowing seed was done in hopes of reaping a harvest of that which was sown. Today’s passage explains that the froward man chooses to sow strife. In other words, there are some in society who look for strife and where it does not exist, they will sow the seeds of strife so that it sprouts even where it did not originally exist. Why would they do this? Some people revel in seeing the fruits of arguments, wars, strife, envy, debate, and other such things. The froward man simply finds a way to instigate problems and exploit situations by creating lies or exaggerations to accomplish his sordid purposes.
Devotional Thoughts
-
(For children): Jezebel was a wicked queen. She stirred up strife against Naboth because he refused to sell a vineyard to her husband. She wrote letters to the rulers of the city telling them to hire men to lie about Naboth hoping that he would be eliminated. Jezebels actions caused Naboth to be stoned (1 Kings 21:8-13).
-
(For everyone): Do you know people who choose to sow strife? What has he or she done in order to sow strife? Has this person lied? Has this person twisted others words in order to create conflict?
-
How can you help to solve the problems caused by those who revel in sowing strife? Are others buying the lies of the froward? Can you help to stop the strife? How might you be able to do so?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to convict you if you sow seeds of strife.
- Ask God to help you repair the damage of the forward.
Song
NOTHING BETWEEN
