Feeding Trough

How to use oil

²⁰ There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man swallows it up. (Proverbs 21:20)

Swallows is the word “bala” meaning to swallow, engulf, consume. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance says to cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, and comes from a primitive root; to make away with. The idea is to consume in its entirety leaving nothing left. The New American Standard Bible translates the word as destroy, destroyed, and destroying. So, when the book of Revelation says,

⁶ And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:6)

It confirms that even during times of extreme distress, one should not entirely consume the oil given to you.

⁷ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:7-10)

References

Proverbs 21:20

Revelation 6:6

Matthew 25:7-10

140 What is the seal of perfection?

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