9/30/26

Proverbs 12:11-12 NASB95: He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

Two brothers were left their father's estate. A fruit orchard that they had worked in all their life. A farm and a house that they had grown up in, plus all the money their father had accumulated during his life. They were to work the orchard together. One brother was tired of working the land and desired to take his money and live it up until death. The other brother tried to counsel him to stay on the farm and finish his father's work, but he refused. The brother who stayed gave his brother all the money for the purchase of the whole farm.

He spent his life working, caring for the fruit trees and keeping up the rest of the farm. He sold the fruit, made lots of money gave much of it to his community. Which grew in kindness and love as they experienced the love of the brother. He fed them, cared for them, and was well loved. He employed many in the community, and he lacked nothing. When he died, the community mourned him with great reverence.

Finding his will, the community found that he had left everything to his brother, whom he had not seen since the day he left with all the money.

It took the people of the community months to find his brother. Yet during that time, they kept up the orchard and the house in the same manner as he had. Everything was done properly and in a godly manner. When they found his brother. He was homeless, broke, and withered from years of worthless and evil living. He was so excited when he heard that everything had been left to him. Yet he showed no compassion for his brother. The community honored him as he came to town, and he was amazed at how the community had grown and how they loved, respected, and honored his brother. The community figured he would move in and continue to till and work the fields, care for the orchards, and be a fruitful member of society just as his brother had done. They were shocked when they heard he wanted to sell everything. The community went and asked What are you going to do. He responded. I will take the money and go back to my life. The community remained known as a place where righteousness is found. The brother went back to the city where he had been homeless and squandered his money again. Proverbs 12:11-12 NASB95: He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

This story is fictional, but it follows some ancient Jewish traditions of Canaan occupying land that belonged to his Dad's brother, Shem.

Shem, whose line brought forth Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and eventually the Messiah.

Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Messiah, is known for its name, which means House of Bread. Its area was called Ephratah, which means place of fruitfulness.

Canaan took this land and settled there. The descendants of Canaan spread out toward Sodom, a city known for being wicked and against the Lord. Genesis 13:13 NASB95 Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.

Proverbs are lessons written and taught from experience.

I wonder if the lesson of Proverbs 12:11-12 NASB95: He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

Comes from two brothers. Shem and Ham, with Canaan, Ham's son. I know it has nothing to do with this story, but the story illustrates the truth of the proverb. When you focus on yourself, your way becomes desire and loss, but when you focus on the Father's plan, your way becomes fruitful and righteous.

Will you work your Father's field for righteousness or squander all He has done for His glory and our well-being?

Love Brother Scott