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
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