Omoluabi Podcast

15/08/2024

A Proverb on “PAYING THE PRICE”
Omoluabi Podcast | Season 6 Episode 5

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ajá tó máa rún ọkà á láyà; ológbò to máa jẹ àkèré á ki ojú bọ omi.” (Translation: "A dog that will chew dried corn must be brave; a cat that will eat a frog will dip its face in water.")

REFLECTION
Dogs' teeth aren't suited to chewing corn, so they risk dental damage by doing so. Similarly, a cat's pursuit of frogs can be perilous. The proverb therefore reminds us that, in life, getting what you really want often comes at a price. Great achievements require great dedication. Extraordinary feats demand extraordinary effort. To conquer a significant challenge, one must exert considerable force.

As such, we reflected on the above proverb emphasising the need to start embracing this principle of "paying the price" right from when we are young! As Lamentations 3:27 says, "it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline" (NLT). We also reflected on examples of what this has looked like in our own lives.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:
✥ Our Website —⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi⁠
✥ Other Platforms — ⁠https://pod.link/1550735589⁠

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA:
Explore additional resources and content from Joseph and Anu Ola on various platforms:
✥ Linktree —⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/josephola⁠⁠
✥ Disha Page —⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://josephola.disha.page/⁠⁠

JOIN THE OMOLUABI COMMUNITY: Stay connected with us as we journey together towards becoming true Omoluabis — people of character and wisdom. You can like our page at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/omoluabipodcast/⁠⁠⁠ or join Alive Mentorship Group at ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/alivementorship⁠. If you have African proverbs you'd like us to discuss in future episodes, you can submit them through our website — ⁠https://www.josephkolawole.org/contact⁠ or reach out on social media.

Till next time, remain an Omoluabi.

03/06/2024

BOTH GENDERS NEEDED!
Omoluabi Podcast | Season 6 Episode 4

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Obìnrin-ín tẹ ìlú, ó tú.” (Translation: "A woman founds a town, and it scatters.")

REFLECTION
Even though the proverb is superficially misogynistic, it points beyond this to the need for both genders for the flourishing of humanity in any community. Have a listen for our thoughts on this!

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:
✥ Spotify — ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qtmgao8JN9tx94zK3TRpM?si=CzFcHg3ySYqKf_LsVI5txA
✥ Our Website — ⁠https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA:
Explore additional resources and content from Joseph and Anu Ola on various platforms:
✥ Linktree — ⁠https://linktr.ee/josephola⁠
✥ Disha Page — ⁠https://josephola.disha.page/⁠

JOIN THE OMOLUABI COMMUNITY: Stay connected with us as we journey together towards becoming true Omoluabis — people of character and wisdom. You can like our page at https://www.josephkolawole.org/contact.josephkolawole.org/contactrship Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/alivementorship. If you have African proverbs you'd like us to discuss in future episodes, you can suhttps://www.josephkolawole.org/contact//www.josephkolawole.org/contact or reach out on social media.

Till next time, remain an Omoluabi.

20/05/2024

WE ARE ALL DEFICIENT IN ONE AREA OR THE OTHER; SO WHAT?
Omoluabi Podcast | Season 6 Episode 3

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ẹṣín dára ó ku aré; èèyán dára ó ku ìwà; ajá òyìnbó dára ó ku àtidẹ.”(Translation: “The horse looks great but lacks speed; the man is handsome but lacks character; the European dog is good-looking but cannot hunt.”)

KEY POINTS FROM THE EPISODE
~We all have weaknesses. No man is an island.
~What we lack is made up for through the gift of community.
~We should not judge by outward appearance.
~We should work on becoming better in our areas of deficiencies.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:
✥ Our Website —⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi⁠
✥ Other Platforms — ⁠https://pod.link/1550735589⁠

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA:
Explore additional resources and content from Joseph and Anu Ola on various platforms:
✥ Linktree —⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/josephola⁠⁠
✥ Disha Page —⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://josephola.disha.page/⁠⁠

JOIN THE OMOLUABI COMMUNITY: Stay connected with us as we journey together towards becoming true Omoluabis — people of character and wisdom. You can like our page at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/omoluabipodcast/⁠⁠⁠ or join Alive Mentorship Group at ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/alivementorship⁠. If you have African proverbs you'd like us to discuss in future episodes, you can submit them through our website — ⁠https://www.josephkolawole.org/contact⁠ or reach out on social media.

Till next time, remain an Omoluabi.

13/05/2024

OF LEOPARDS, IGNORANCE, & OUR IDENTITY...
Omoluabi Podcast | Season 6 Episode 2

PROVERB CONSIDERED: ““Níbo ló gbé wà?” nìyájú ẹkùn.” (Translation: "[To ask] ‘Where is it?’ is a great insult to the leopard.")

REFLECTION
To put the proverb in context, imagine yourself in one of Kenya’s national parks. Your son has been looking forward to seeing his favourite animal—the leopard—up close in the wild. As your tour guide drove you around from place to place across the park showcasing various animals to you, you finally arrived at a vast expanse of grassland where you could see an animal with black spots as well as a lion and a black rhino. Your tour guide tells you, “Look over there! That’s the leopard.” You looked. You saw the lion, the rhino, and the other animal covered in black spots, but still, you asked, “Where is it? Where is the leopard?”

The proverb we considered in this episode says, for you to ask such a question is an insult to the leopard! What kind of person would not be able to tell which is the leopard among a lion, a rhino, and a spotted animal? If the leopard could understand your language and heard you ask such a dumb question, it would probably teach you a lesson! Indeed, the leopard is a rather unmistakable creature in the wild, isn't it? That's the point of this proverb—one should be knowledgeable enough to avoid displaying ignorance about things they should know.

But sometimes, in life, we do the exact opposite. We speak or choose to think in ways that reveal our ignorance! In our biblical reflection on this proverb, we offer two distinct interpretations of the proverb:

1. Living as a Christian and reflecting God's presence:
Anu applies the proverb to the concept of Christian identity. Relating it to Romans 8:16 and 2 Timothy 2:4, she emphasises the importance of Christians embodying their faith in all aspects of life. Christians, like leopards, should be easily identifiable in any sphere they find themselves in. They shouldn't need to camouflage or compromise their identity to fit in. This perspective underscores the significance of living a life that reflects the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

2. Awakening from Ignorance:
Joseph takes a different approach. He sees the proverb as a way to highlight someone's ignorance. Asking "where is it?" about something obvious is a way to point out a lack of awareness. He connects this to the story of King Nebuchadnezzar, who forgot God's role in his achievements (Daniel 4:29-35). This serves as a caution against the human tendency to take credit for God's work, thereby diminishing His glory. This should prompt us to consider our own actions and speech, ensuring that we never rob God of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him.

Furthermore, the episode highlights the subtle attacks on our faith, whether through external challenges or internal complacency. The devil will always seek to downplay the importance of faith for us in times of comfort or difficulty. However, a strong Christian identity, rooted in the knowledge of God, allows one to resist such temptations. “. . . the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” (Daniel 11:32 NKJV)

Anu's reminder to hold onto the truth of our identity as children of God, as affirmed by the Spirit, is both comforting and empowering. In the face of such attacks, there's no need to engage in futile arguments or attempts to prove our faith. Instead, we can find solace in the knowledge of whose we are.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:
✥ Our Website —⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi⁠
✥ Other Platforms — ⁠https://pod.link/1550735589⁠

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA:
Explore additional resources and content from Joseph and Anu Ola on various platforms:
✥ Linktree —⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/josephola⁠⁠
✥ Disha Page —⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://josephola.disha.page/

22/04/2024

THE BLESSING OF STAMMERING
Omoluabi Podcast | Season 6 Episode 1

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, akólòlò á pe baba.” (Translation: “It may take a long while, but the stammerer will eventually manage to say ‘‘Papa.’’”)

REFLECTION
Perhaps this proverb reminds you—as it reminded me—of a stammerer you know. Or perhaps, it reminds you of yourself and your occasional stutter. Stammering can be embarrassing, but the way the stammerer is portrayed in this proverb is as a champion that we should learn from. What kind of lessons can stammering teach us?

1. It’s only a matter of time. Between a stammerer’s stutter and their being able to say what they intend to say eventually, it’s only a matter of time. Likewise, between where you are and where you hope to be—or between who you are and who you hope to become—it’s only a matter of time! That’s the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3, verses 1 and 11.

2. Refrain from giving unsolicited assistance. Whether you are helping someone with whom you are speaking complete their sentence or you are offering your spouse an unsolicited solution to a matter to which they primarily desire your empathy, offering unsolicited assistance can stifle intimacy rather than nourish it. Besides, if stammering nurtures perseverance in us (as the proverb surely implies), offering unsolicited assistance in helping the stammerer complete their statements will kill their opportunity to develop their perseverance further.

3. There is a blessing in our disabilities and incompetence. God, in His sovereignty, has blessed us with limitations that become tools that shape us into ever-increasing Christlikeness. The more we acknowledge our limitations, the more we will live a life that is fully dependent on Jesus—and the more we will bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

4. Stammering reminds us that failure—even repeated failure—is okay. The stammerer fails again and again before eventually being able to say a word, phrase, or statement correctly, but they don’t give up. Besides, for the stammerer, the fact that they were able to get the word out eventually in one moment does not mean that they will be able to do it again in the next moment. Such should be our disposition in life. No matter how many wins we record, we should not become so familiar with success that failure becomes abhorrent. Failure has always been one of God’s best tools to cultivate in us humility and utter dependence on Him. Perseverance validates failures.�

5. Lastly, be patient. Be patient with other (fellow) stammerers, and be patient with yourself. If we are being honest, we will admit that, at the end of the day, we are all stammerers—and that’s okay! We all have one area of life or the other where we stutter. Rather than wanting to cover these up, let us acknowledge them for what they are: portals for God’s power to find expression in our weakness!

Be encouraged by the words of Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV — “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”
�
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:
✥ Our Website — ⁠https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA:
Explore additional resources and content from Joseph and Anu Ola on various platforms:
✥ Linktree — ⁠https://linktr.ee/josephola⁠
✥ Disha Page — ⁠https://josephola.disha.page/

23/01/2023

A Proverb on MONEY & RELATIONSHIPS
Omoluabi Podcast | Season 5 Episode 2

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ajé ní ḿba ojú ọ̀rẹ́ jẹ́.”

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: "It is money that brings a frown to the brow of friendship."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The point of this proverb, to put it simply, is that nothing ruins a friendship more surely than the intrusion of money. In other words, money is very sensitive and requires wisdom to manage it properly.

It is often said that the top 3 things that destroy marriages are communication problems, sex-related problems, and money-related problems. We agree. So what attitudes towards money management tend to ruin friendships, partnerships, marriages, and other relationships? We highlighted a few of them in this episode, including:

1. Laziness.
2. Wrong attitude towards Savings and Investment
3. Greed
4. Debts (borrowing and not repaying)

We concluded by recommending a sound stewardship mindset towards managing money.

Scriptures Cited include:
✥ “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Proverbs 10:4 (NIV)
✥ “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11 (NIV)
✥ “Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.” Proverbs 1:19 (NIV)
✥ “The rich rule over the poor, And the borrower is slave to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CjASOq6axyvohw9lcoVIS
✥ Anchor — https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/aUs69O9SOwb
✥ Our Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

25/07/2022

OMOLUABI PODCAST | SEASON 4 EPISODE 5
A Proverb on EXCEPTIONS

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ohun tí a rí la fi ḿbọ párá ẹni; Bí igi tíná ḿbẹ lẹ́nu ẹ̀ kọ́”

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: "One uses whatever one can find to fill gaps in one’s roof; That does not apply to a still-burning stick."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The imagery that birthed this proverb is that of a mud hut with a thatched roof in a typical African village. While such a roof may occasionally have leakages, such gaps or leakages could be blocked by virtually anything—anything apart from a stick still spewing flames! The reason is obvious; rather than block a leakage or close a gap in the roof, such a burning stick will end up burning down the entire building!

The implication of the proverb is therefore quite obvious, viz: every seemingly sensible generalization has exceptions. To state it biblically, the fact that something is GENERALLY good does not mean it is good FOR YOU.

In the same vein, proverbs, as wise as they may be, are often based on generalisations which will need to be applied contextually, making the exemptions when necessary lest what was supposed to be wisdom becomes foolishness.

Scriptures Cited include:
✥ 1 Corinthians 6:12 MSG - "Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate."

✥ 1 Corinthians 10:23 NKJV - "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uhwqGLhDgrrbu7LIdKkUd
✥ Anchor — https://anchor.fm/omoluabi/episodes/S4E05---A-Proverb-on-EXCEPTIONS---Ohun-t-a-r-la-fi-b-pr-ni-B-igi-tn-b-lnu--k-e1llh9u
✥ Our Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
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https://josephola.disha.page/

20/07/2022

OMOLUABI PODCAST | SEASON 4 EPISODE 4
A Proverb on WATCHFULNESS

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Àṣá ò gbádìẹ níkọ̀kọ̀; gba-n-gba làṣá ńgbádìẹ”

INTERPRETATION: "What one dare do, one does openly"

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The imagery that birthed this proverb is hunting; the kite (predator) hunts the chick (prey) in broad daylight, says the proverb. In that sense, we can easily see the biblical imagery of the devil going about like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour from the proverb (1 Peter 5:8). The point here is to be watchful; to spot the signs of the devil's tactics and nip them in the bud. This will come by maintaining a vibrant personal relationship with God and a flourishing communal fellowship experience. Isolated Christians are easy preys!

The other side to this proverb is the direct point of louding what we are doing, especially when we are persuaded that they are good deeds. In doing this, however, we must be careful to ensure that we are not making this publicity about us but the God at work in and through us.

Scriptures Cited include:
✥ 1 Peter 5:8 CSB - "Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour."
✥ John 7:4 CEV - "No one does anything in secret, if they want others to know about them. So let the world know what you are doing!"
✥ Matthew 5:16 NKJV - "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
✥ Matthew 6:3-4 NKJV - "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZU1XCWHeYENORHXFe9a3O
✥ Anchor — https://anchor.fm/omoluabi/episodes/S4E04---A-Proverb-on-WATCHFULNESS-----gbd-nkk-gba-n-gba-l-gbd-e1lc6s9
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

31/01/2022

OMOLUABI PODCAST | SEASON 3 EPISODE 4

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ohun tó ṣe àgùntàn tó fi kó òtútù; bó ṣe ewúrẹ́, á ṣe aláìsí.”

INTERPRETATION: "The condition that gave a sheep a cold, if it befell a goat, would result in its death."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb warns us against being so foolhardy that we dare what others do without having what others have. It reinforces the message of avoiding to compare ourselves with others which, according to Apostle Paul, is an unwise thing to do (2 Corinthians 10:12).

From the perspective of the biblical categories of 'sheep' and 'goat', we are reminded that sheep have something most goats don't have: A SHEPHERD. We must endeavour to do life under God's shepherdhood in order to reduce our likelihood of being susceptible to harm.

Scripture Cited include:

✥ 2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV says "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."

✥ Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV says "1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ggqEI6mKbW9zjEkFouxsK
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

17/01/2022

OMOLUABI PODCAST | SEASON 3 EPISODE 3

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Bí a bá fi inú wénú, iwọ là ńjẹ.”

INTERPRETATION: "If we compare notes with others, we wind up eating bile."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: If you've ever had to kill a chicken before, you will probably be familiar with the fact that you have to carefully remove the gall bladder and dispose of it. Why? The liquid inside that green sack is extremely bitter! So this proverb is a warning that when we compare our fortunes with others', we are literally inviting bitterness into our lives.

Apostle Paul alludes to this principle in one of his letters to the Corinthians, viz: "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."

Scripture Cited include:

✥ 2 Corinthians 10:12 TPT says "Of course, we wouldn’t dare to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. They compare themselves to one another and make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and then they judge themselves by their own standards. What self-delusion!"

✥ Proverbs 26:4-5 KJV says "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit."

✥ Proverbs 11:14 NKJV says "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vRsVUGSKOXPB7Eg5SKjwG
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

10/01/2022

OMOLUABI PODCAST | SEASON 3 EPISODE 2

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ọtí gbélé ahun ó kan.”

INTERPRETATION: "Wine stays in the home of the miser until it goes sour."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb admonishes us to share rather than hoard. To hoard is to deny oneself of the superlative indescribable joy of being the reason behind someone else's happiness. Jesus modelled this kind of generosity and we are supposed to pay it forward!

Scriptures Cited include:

✥ Proverbs 11:24-25 TLB says "It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself."

✥ Philippians 2:5-8 TPT says "And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation. He existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead, he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in his death—a criminal’s death by crucifixion!"

✥ Hebrews 2:10b TPT says "...this is how he brings many sons and daughters to share in his glory."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ff0vd4QK0A8zBEZoDr6z7
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

03/01/2022

OMOLUABI PODCAST | SEASON 3 EPISODE 1

PROVERB CONSIDERED: “Ọdọọdún nìrèké ńso.”

INTERPRETATION: "The sugarcane flourishes annually."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb is typically used as a new year prayer for a perennial good fortune. The idea is that as surely as the sugarcane will yet again flourish in the new year, we can expect good fortune yet again! The truth is that God, in His Providence, delightfully and continuously offers us multiple opportunities to start again, dream again and hope again. Every new day, new week, new month and new year offers us this opportunity, and so thus 2022. Will you embrace the limitless opportunities this year has to offer by embracing the wisdom of this proverb?

Another tangent we considered the proverb from is based on the fact that sugarcane actually takes many months to grow and a full year to mature. In other words, the sugarcanes that cannot but flourish annually didn't sprout overnight. It takes time. This should remind us that there is a divine-timing factor that we must bear in mind for both our disappointments from the previous year and our hopes and dreams for the new year. But with God being for us, we can be assured that He is always in the business of doing new things in 'now moments,' and so we can hope for the best in the new year!

Scriptures Cited include:

✥ Lamentations 3:22-23 NRSV says "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

✥ Isaiah 43:18-19 TPT says "Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things. I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert."

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

15/11/2021

ỌMỌLÚÀBÍ PODCAST | SEASON 2, EPISODE 08 | A PROVERB ON HOPE

PROVERB CONSIDERED: "Ìpọ́njú àgbẹ̀ ò ju ọdún kan."

INTERPRETATION: "A farmer’s suffering will not last longer than a year."

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: The proverb is based on the concept of sowing (planting) and harvesting. The understanding is that if a farmer plants and begins to suffer for lack of resources or even lack of food to eat, such a reversal in his circumstance is but for a moment. Because he has sown, he can look forward WITH HOPE to the harvest, which, in the worst-case scenario, will come in a year's time.

This brings a lot of scriptures to mind.

Psalm 126:5 MSG says "So those who planted their crops in despair will shout “Yes!” at the harvest..."

Psalm 30:5 says "...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

An important question to ask, though, as Anu points out, is "In 'who' is our hope — in God or in efforts?" To have faith in yourself is to put a pressure you can't keep up with on yourself. To have faith in God, however, is to believe in the One Who is able to do and undo.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
"Prophesy Your Promise" by Bryan & Katie Torwalt

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Yw6xumHRIC5AKgdeIfAOB
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Anchor — https://anchor.fm/omoluabi
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
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04/11/2021

01/11/2021

ỌMỌLÚÀBÍ PODCAST | SEASON 2, EPISODE 07

PROVERB CONSIDERED: "Àparò ò ga ju ara-a wọn lọ, àfi èyí tó gun ebè."

INTERPRETATION: "No partridge is taller than another except for those standing on earth mounds." (Earth mounds are little heaps of soil usually made with a hoe; in the farm, crops like yam and cassava are planted into the heaps.)

MEANING & BIBLICAL APPLICATION: Usually, this proverb is said of a group of people among whom there is none that stands out. We, however, considered the proverb from the perspective of laying emphasis on the latter part of it. Yes, partridges are alike when they are all standing on the same ground, however, if one of them goes on to stand on an earth mound, such will stand out among the rest.

We considered this from the angle of SALVATION BY GRACE. All humans are alike (like partridges) in the sense that we are all sinners. Irrespective of our varying levels of self-righteousness, they all amount to filthy rags relative to God's standard of righteousness. The only way to be acceptable to God, therefore, is to stand NOT in our righteousness, but in HIS righteousness. Jesus made this possible by His atoning death and triumphant resurrection. Anyone who believes in Him, therefore, has, proverbially speaking, "climbed the earth mound" that makes such a person STAND OUT among others.

In the same vein, both in our secular work and our spiritual service in God's vineyard, we need to always ask ourselves, "what earth mounds do you need to climb to stand out of the rest?" As Anu urges us all, we must endeavour to avoid limiting ourselves to people's perception of us in our service to God and to men; as long as we stay in tune with the Holy Spirit obeying His every prompting, we will always stand out among our equals.

BIBLICAL REFERENCE
2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:12-13

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
1. Martin Luther and the Reformation
2. 95 Theses

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/3tqpVRUq3EuGG9uQ1fiaYT
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Anchor — https://anchor.fm/omoluabi
✥ Apple — https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/omoluabi-podcast/id1550735589
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

The podcast where African proverbs are reflected on through the lens of the Bible.

20/10/2021

ỌMỌLÚÀBÍ PODCAST | SEASON 2, EPISODE 06

PROVERB CONSIDERED: "Bí ayé bá ńyẹni, ìwà ìbàjẹ́ là ńhù."

INTERPRETATION: "If life is being good to one, one is likely to act disgracefully."

MEANING: Prosperity (especially material-wise) comes with a temptation to misbehave.

REFLECTION: The idea this proverb posits is found all over the Bible. God repeatedly warned the Israelites of the tendency for them to forget that it was God who gave them power to get wealth when they get to the promised land and inherited houses they didn't build and harvest in fields where they had not laboured. (And, indeed, they forgot God on multiple occasions in their history.) The same tendency is common to all humans, really.

In our exposition, we reflected on the scenario of the United Kingdom where the land of the Welsh revival of the early 20th century and the land where the likes of Charles Spurgeon preached powerfully has now become the land where there are more atheists than there are adherents of any faith. They no longer see the need for God because they tend to have most of the things that an average person in the third world will have to pray to God to get.

Likewise, Eleos cited the case of a celebrity who gained weight at some point and was able to lose the weight after a while. However, rather than empathise with those who are having weight issues, she went online speaking disparagingly about such people, forgetting that she was just like that as well, not too long ago!

We concluded with the beautiful prayer in Proverbs 30:8-9 (TLB) which says, "...give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs! For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name."

BIBLICAL REFERENCE
Proverbs 30:7-9

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
✥ Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SynxbhDLd95zpfUig2UGj
✥ My Website — https://www.josephkolawole.org/omoluabi/
✥ Anchor — https://anchor.fm/omoluabi
✥ Other Platforms — https://pod.link/1550735589

FOR MORE RESOURCES FROM JOSEPH & ANU OLA
https://linktr.ee/josephola
https://josephola.disha.page/

The podcast where African proverbs are reflected on through the lens of the Bible.