Michigan’s Bad Reputation Part 1

I wrote a warning letter twice to Michigan Governor Snyder in plenty of time for him to act to reverse the absurd order issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requiring all so-called and egregiously mislabeled “feral pigs” raised on Michigan private farms for food be destroyed by April 1, 2012.

He did not act on my advice.

I hate to say it, but I will: some politians, bureaucrats, and administrators are extremely unwise and fail to heed constructive suggestions.

You may be about to ask: “But what does that have to do with Real Bible Study?”

Answer: Everything.

And if you did not know, you are about to find out if you keep reading.

The problem, Biblically, might well be called the “Nabal Syndrome.”

What? You didn’t learn that in Sunday School? Or church? You mean your pastor has not preached on that Bible theme?

By the way, should you consult a dictionary of Bible names, or my notes in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible at 1 Samuel 25:3, you will learn that “Nabal” means “folly; foolish.” In plain English, it could be said that Nabal means fool.

This is confirmed by what Nabal’s wife said about him at 1 Samuel 25:25,

1Sa 25:25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

Just what is the “Nabal Syndrome”?

Here is the pertinent verse:

1Sa 25:17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

Topic Number 1853 ties into this verse: “Be open to advice, suggestions, criticism” in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge Topic Number Index on page 1603.

Here is the chapter summary or heading for 1 Samuel 25,

Samuel dies, and is lamented and buried by all Israel; and David goes to Paran, 1. The character of Nabal, and of his wife Abigail, 2, 3. David sends to Nabal most respectfully requesting some provisions; but provoked by his answer, sets out to destroy him, 4-13. A servant warns Abigail, 14-17. She meets David with a present, and wisely pacifies him, 18-31. David blesses God for her interposition, and courteously dismisses her, 32-35. Nabal, hearing of the danger to which he had been exposed, is terrified, and dies, 36-38. David marries Abigail and also Ahinoam, 39-41. Michal is given to Phalit, 44.

Here are the cross references for 1 Samuel 25:17, including the cross references for this important topic:

17. evil. 1 S 20:7, 9, 33. 2 Ch 25:16. Est 7:7. a son of Belial. ver. 25. 1 S 2:12. Dt *13:13. +15:9. Jg +19:22. 2 S 23:6, 7. 1 K 21:10, 13. 2 Ch 13:7. that a man cannot speak to him. T#1853. ver. %**33. 1 S 20:32, 33. Jsh *22:21n. Jg 11:28. 2 S %*19:8n. 1 K 12:8, 13. 2 K %**5:13, 14. 2 Ch 10:8, 13. +*25:16. Jb %31:13. Ps *25:9, 12. Pr %*1:5. 8:33. *9:8, 9. **12:15. *+13:1, 10. 15:22. %17:10. %*18:13. +*19:20. 21:29. Ec 4:13. Je *36:25. Zp +*3:2. Mt +*7:6. 18:17. T 3:10, 11.

Here are the cross reference texts for the key words that a man cannot speak to him:

1Sa 25:33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

1Sa 20:32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
1Sa 20:33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

Jos 22:21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,

This last passage may seem obscure. If you read to the end of the chapter it will be plainly relevant. The following note included in the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge may clarify the point:

The conduct and answer of these Reubenites and the associates are worthy of admiration and imitation. Though conscious of their innocence, they permitted Phinehas to finish his speech, though composed of little else than accusations, without any interruption; and taking in good part the suspicions, reproofs, and even harshness of their brethren, with the utmost meekness and solemnity they explain their intention, give all the satisfaction in their power, and with great propriety and reverence, appeal to that God against whom they were supposed to have rebelled.

Thus in this text the story had a most happy and instructive outcome.

Jdg 11:27 Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.
Jdg 11:28 Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

2Sa 19:8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

Again, the note given in The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and included in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides the needed clarification to understand 2 Samuel 19:8, as follows:

How prudently and mildly David took the reproof and counsel given him! He shook off his grief, anointed his head, and washed his face, that he might not appear unto men to mourn, and then made his appearance at the gate of the city, which was the public place of resort for the hearing of causes and giving judgment, as well as a place to ratify special bargains. Thither the people flocked to congratulate him on his and their safety, and that all was well. When we are convinced of a fault, we must amend, though we are told of it by our inferiors in a way which is peculiarly painful to our natural feelings. This ancient custom still obtains in the East; for when Dr. Pococke returned from viewing the town of ancient Byblus, he says, “The sheik and the elders were sitting in the gate of the city, after the ancient manner, and I sat awhile with them.”

Here is the most relevant portion of that quoted note: When we are convinced of a fault, we must amend, though we are told of it by our inferiors in a way which is peculiarly painful to our natural feelings.

Here is a marvelous example of that advice being followed by another Bible character, Naaman the Leper:

2Ki 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
2Ki 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
2Ki 5:12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
2Ki 5:13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
2Ki 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Earlier in the story we learn Naaman heeded the constructive suggestion of a young servant girl who informed him that if he went to Israel there was a prophet there who could heal his leprosy. Naaman followed her advice.

When he got to Israel, Naaman was miffed at the instruction given by Elisha.

But his servants wisely offered the constructive suggestion that he follow the instructions the Prophet had given.

That shows that Naaman had sterling character, a character that it would be wise for everyone to follow.

Not all criticism that is offered is valid. But when the offerer of a constructive suggestion is known to be informed about the subject, and has good character, then suggestions from that source ought to be heeded.

You would find a study of the remaining cross references for this theme as given above would be most worthwhile of your careful study. I highly recommend that you get your Bible and carefully turn to each passage listed, considering the context of each as needed for clarification, and learn the lesson well.