Proverbs 27:23-27
Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field, And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your maidens.
How many of us take the time to "know the condition of our flocks?" Do we take the time to study our life? Do we take the time to see what and where our life fits in regard to the plan of God? We cast our eyes on money, yet we know, as the verse says, it will not last forever. These five verses stress the importance of the principle: You sow what you reap! Know the conditions of your flocks ... it will pay off in the end. Solomon uses the picture of a "flock" of lambs and goats to illustrate his principle. If we take care of our flocks our flocks will take care of us. Solomon contrasts "riches" that can be owned, with the "flocks" that can be nutured. He contrasts the crown that disappears, with milk of goats that sustain us. The lesson of the story is that there are some things we invest in and trust that will not last. There are other things we can trust in, that not only will last, will sustains us later. "Know the condition of your flocks" and you will know the difference between that which disappears and that which sustains. These verses really talk to us about our priorities. We should be focused upon those things that sustain us in the long run. The “flocks” can be your “skills;” your “resources;” your “friends;” or any number of things. We are to know the “condition of our flocks.” When we do we will focus the right aspects of our lives and “nurture” our flocks ... in the end, our “flocks” will care for us.
Perhaps a good example of this is the story of King David and his son Absalom. Absalom was banished from the kingdom and then David brought him back. But, David did not bring him into his household. He had him stay in another location. David did not “know” the conditions of his relationship with Absalom. He ignored Absalom. Since the son was ignored he went out to the city gate to convince David’s followers to follow him. Here is what the Holy Spirit tells us:
2 Samuel 15:2-6 (ESV Strong's)
2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” 3 Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” 4 Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” 5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
David did know “know” the condition of his relationship with his son. David did not “know” the condition of the relationship with his followers. David almost lost the kingdom, as a result. He did lose his son. Solomon warns us, “know” the contrition of your “flocks;” whatever those flocks might be.
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