GREAT EXPECTATIONS August 19, 2020

The Word today somehow reminds me of the novel, “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. Being a coming-of-age story, we learn of the character’s life and realizations and the people associated with him—their hardships, dreams, their changes, revelations and resolutions.  There are people believed and judged by society to be wicked and miserable, but are actually not quite so, and some who are admired and patronized, but are indeed not worthy of it.  There are people who live their whole lives being wicked and cruel, selfish and greedy, while others who, upon encountering misfortune, learned some wisdom and changed for the better.

 

This story is one of the greatest works of literature of all time, because of the lessons we learn in the life of Pip, an orphan boy, and how many of the scenes and circumstances in his story are happening even until now.

 

In verses 1 and 2 of the book of Proverbs, chapter 24, we are warned against being envious of evil people.  They may seem successful or wealthy, but there is only wickedness in their hearts.  Verses 3 to 6 says that wisdom is better, because it “builds a house”, instead of tearing it down or destroying the relationships of its inhabitants.  Knowledge fills a person and his house better, and renders them more content, than ill-gotten wealth or riches that are not gained by honest, diligent and godly labor.  A wise man is also described as strong because he can make strategies and in collaboration with others, be successful in whatever endeavor, be it in war or during peacetime.

 

Verses 7 to 12 warn GOD’s people against foolishness and apathy.  Therein are the people who do not talk with sense, those who do mischief, those who easily faint and give up in the face of adversity, those that do not help others who are in desperate and miserable circumstances, and those that ignore the need of their fellowmen.  The wise teacher is saying that for all these injustices, the One Who Knows everything will give them their due.

 

In verses 13 and 14, we are encouraged to gain wisdom and knowledge, because like honey, these are both nourishment and medicine for our souls.  In verses 15 and 16, the wise teacher said that even if a righteous and just person falls and the wicked laughs at or ridicule him, he will yet rise again.  Verse 17 also cautions us against laughing at people who are undergoing difficulties and hardships in life, because in verse 18 he says that the Lord will see it, it will displease Him, He will have mercy on the person who is in difficulties, and He will turn His wrath and punishment on the one who laughed at the other person.

 

Verses 19 to 22 are again a repetition of the first two verses in that we are warned against getting envious or fearing wicked people, because there shall be no good reward for them.  Rather, we need to fear the Lord and worship Him, serve Him and bring glory to His Name.

 

In verses 23 to 29, we are again admonished about favoritism, bias and prejudice.  Yes, indeed, now more than ever, we must learn not to give undue favor and accommodation to people we deem to be superior than us, because this pandemic has shown that disease knows no purse-strings.  No matter the status, anybody can get sick.  But life’s realities show us too that those who have less in life will, in our broken systems, get lesser and sometimes none, help and support from our government and those who are tasked by law to do so.  Hence, it falls on us who believe and worship the same GOD, to render help and support whenever we can.

 

And the last verses of the chapter, in 30 to 34, show something very sensitive to our times today.  True, laziness is one reason why some people are poor, but it is not all there is, because there are many factors at play why one person has more difficulties in life than the other.  It could be because of familial support or lack thereof, or it could be someone else has stolen or taken away what should rightfully belong to that person, hence, the one who is poor can never progress anywhere they go. 

 

In school, especially now that learning will be predominantly online, those living within and below poverty line will all the more be at a disadvantage.  In work, those who belong to low- and mid-level jobs will most likely get the ax more than those occupying higher positions, hence, those who are earning less will all the more be economically challenged. 

 

It is our duty then, if we think ourselves as having the spirit of humanity, and being made in the likeness of GOD’s image, to do our part to help and equitize the way wealth is distributed, at least the part that is our responsibility or the one that falls under our stewardship, be they income generated or taxes collected.  This is not the time to squeeze dry the hard-earned efforts of the majority of our people with minuscule pay, while on the one hand doling out generous subsidies and easy huge loans, and catering to the whims of the minority occupying the top 1% of the wealth pyramid. 

 

We must have the wisdom to discern who needs more help and support.  We must gain more knowledge, seek out the facts rather than the theories, and act promptly.  If, as one health expert in a foreign land has said that “we must learn to live with CoViD”, we may have had great expectations a few months ago with how we want our lives, our careers and our businesses will turn out to be, we need to realign our priorities and refocus our visions now.  Our expectations should not anymore be for our greedy selves alone, but for the greater majority whose lives we touch, whose affairs we can help put in order, and whose hope and faith we have the opportunity to strengthen and encourage.