Thought for the Day

Verse 26 - This verse uses illustrations from ancient agriculture. Threshing with a sledge was a method of separating chaff from grain. The sledge consisted of three or four heavy rollers or "wheels" of wood, iron, or stone joined together in a square frame formed into a sledge. The driver sat on a seat affixed to its top, his weight helping to keep the heavy wheels close to the ground. As oxen dragged the sledge over harvested grain, the husks (chaff) cracked and separated from it.

A good ruler "winnows out" corrupt members of his government and "brings the wheel" over them. He applies pressure to separate the double-minded from the righteous, so that justice prevails. John the Baptist described Jesus as the ultimate King: "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12). The Lord Jesus also told a parable about the separation of wheat from tares - the removal of the wicked from His kingdom when He returns to reign over all the earth (Matthew 13:24-40).

Verse 28 - A ruler's government can be upheld only by his people's loyalty. When good men rule in our governments, supporting what fosters truth, integrity, and mercy, we should gratefully support them. Those of us that are blessed to have a part in electing our leaders should pray for guidance to make the right choices and to see which candidates support what the Bible upholds. We are accountable before God for how we vote, or if we do not vote.

Verse 27 - God created us as spiritual beings (Genesis 2:7), and our spirit is like a lamp by which He searches us. Every thought and intent of our heart is clearly visible to God. Until we see that we are made in God's image, we cannot begin to understand ourselves. Man is a trichotomy: spirit, soul, and body. God is a trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We cannot fully understand this mystery, but perhaps through some analogies we can gain an understanding both of Him and ourselves. A man might be a father, a husband, and a son; one man with three different roles. He relates to his children, wife, and parents in different ways. In the same way, God relates to us in three different roles. In another example, we see that water can be a solid, liquid, or vapor, and yet it is still one compound. God is seen as Jesus, who was in a physical body; He can be felt like rivers of living water as the Holy Spirit, and He is known as our Father. Jesus is the Word of God, through whom the Father is revealed. Man is a spirit who has a soul (mind, will, and emotions), and lives in a body. Though separable; man's body, soul, and spirit are interconnected and comprise one being. Thus, man reflects the triune God.