S1E12 - A Proverb on PREREQUISITES - "Ẹni tí kò ní igi obì kì í léso"

Omoluabi Podcast

ỌMỌLÚÀBÍ PODCAST | EPISODE 012

PROVERB CONSIDERED: "Ẹni tí kò ní igi obì kì í léso."

INTERPRETATION: "Whoever does not have a kola-nut tree cannot have its fruits." In other words, to be in possession of kola-nuts must be preceded by being in possession of a kola-nut tree. Or, to say it yet another way, having a kola-nut tree is the prerequisite to having kola-nuts (the fruits from the tree).

MEANING:

Unless one owns the means of production, one cannot claim the product. To make it clearer with a random example, you cannot lay claims to "Goodness Bread" if you are not the owner of "Goodness Bakery". Yes, you may buy "Goodness Bread" from the market, but your ownership of the bread is limited to the few loaves you bought, and even while you have it, it remains "Goodness Bread" not "Joseph Bread" [if your name is 'Joseph', for example].

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

We unpacked this using 2 imageries from the Bible:

1. The Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The 9 virtues that Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23 as "the Fruit of the Spirit" can seem like the sort of virtues you can find even in unbelievers. It is not only Christians who are loving, peaceful, kind, patient or self-controlled. However, the true essence of these fruits can ONLY be found in the life of someone who possesses the Spirit of God Whom produces these fruity manifestations. It is just like what the bible says about self-righteousness — no matter the level of righteousness anyone may claim to have apart from God, such righteousness will always be "filthy rags" before the Father.

2. The Vine, the Branches and their Fruits (John 15:1-5)

When Jesus calls Himself the Vine in John 15 and calls those who believe in Him "the branches which bear fruits..." He goes on to say specifically in verse 5 that "... apart from me you can’t do a thing." So, for us to be able to do anything God-pleasing; it must be preceded by our possession of Him as He possesses us.

✥ Galatians 5:22-23 TLB — "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws."

✥ John 15:1-5 TLB — “I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops. He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you. Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me. “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing."

✥ John 4:10,14 TPT — "Jesus replied, “If you only knew who I am and the gift that God wants to give you, you’d ask me for a drink, and I would give you living water.” . . . For when you drink the water I give you, it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, flooding you with endless life!”"

Summarily, don't seek the fruit; seek to possess the tree!