and neither are human eyes.
The King James translation of this verse says, "Hell and destruction are never full, so the eyes of man are never satisfied."
Wouldn't it be great if we were to get the news that Hell was full up? No more room! We wouldn't have to worry about our relatives and friends -- there would be nowhere else for them to go but heaven! Oh, wait a minute . . . that would mean that some pretty bad characters would get into heaven, too. OK, let's reset and try again, here.
In God's plan, there is holiness, righteousness and justice, and there will be a place in Hell for those who don't accept His free gift of salvation and the wonderful life and relationship with him that He offers. It's difficult for us as mortals to envision heaven and hell, and the different descriptions of each of them. But it's a fact that hell is not full, and destruction is not finished --- there are catastrophes and storms, wars and conflicts, and destruction of all kinds here on the earth.
Solomon is comparing these concepts to our human eyes --- and the way that we use them. You see, we all have an "eye problem." We inherited it from Adam and Eve . . . they were in a gorgeous garden, surrounded by awesome plants and animals, and even had the privilege of walking in the garden with their Creator. They could have anything and everything that they wanted, except for ONE THING. And you know what they did? Yep, you know! They sinned and got hold of the one thing He said "No" about!
The problem with our eyes is that what they see, they usually want. Other people in the Bible have had eye problems. King David saw Bathsheba, and he started on a path that he later wished he'd never set foot upon. Many people have eye problems when they see what their neighbor has --- how much "stuff" he has accumulated.
The biggest consequence of our eye problems is that they take our eyes off what they should be focused on: our Father. If we are living in a constant state of dissatisfaction with our house, our car, our clothes, our social status, or even our spouse, we are allowing our expectations to rule us. And when that happens, we are putting our expectations ahead of our service to God --- you know what that means?
Our expectations have just assumed the role of an idol in our lives. It may not be a statue or tangible item, but it's an idol just the same. And we need to knock it down and get back to focusing on our Lord.
Job was referring to man's tendency to look upon women, but he did something that we can do, too. He said, " I made a covenant with my eyes, not to look lustfully at a young woman." (Job 31:1) It may sound a little wonky, but he made an agreement with his eyes . . . and we can do that, too.
We can determine to be content, to be satisfied, and to fill our eyes with His word.
Well, considering I was just this morning looking at something in my house and thinking, "I've never really been satisfied with that.", this is pretty on target for me. Ouch.
ReplyDeleteAnd since the advent of HGTV and Pinterest, I think a lot of us have felt that way. I was always kinda happy with my house until I saw someone elses that was pretty cool.
I know that's not the biggest of deals, but it's part of a larger problem. My eyes get the best of me on a regular basis. I do need to make a covenant with them, and I sure don't want to lose them!! LOL.
Thanks for a good stomp Snoodles!!
The first thought that came to mind was the Sunday School song:
ReplyDelete"Oh be careful little eyes what you see...for the Father up above is looking down in love..Oh be careful little eyes what you see."
A second thought that came to mind was my Mother-In-Law's home. It is full of things that are of no value to anyone else. It is difficult knowing that it is where her heart was and what she valued. I am so thankful that it is our Lord that is the judge.