Brand Name Blues

(Proverbs 7:16 KJV)  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Sometimes a figurative reading gives an insight.  This verse could refer to the trappings of elite attitudes.  Notice that the point made here is not quality but brand.  It may be that the people of the day associated Egypt with a certain weave or quality but we would not understand that.  What we do understand is that we are supposed to be impressed by imported fabric.

Today “imported” can mean quality or trash depending on the source, manufacturer and item.  The point I want to bring out is that we too often assume that the worth of something, or someone, is in how society labels it.  There is real danger in this.  We need to get in the habit of comparing ideas, attitudes and habits with the unchanging truth of God and do so as a regular routine. 

We can’t continue to trust without examination.  I just had a conversation about how Penny’s T-shirts were the standard of excellence when I was in high school.  Somewhere along the line I bought a package and it was clear to me that these were not the shirts of my youth.  Same store, same size but a different product and I assure you it was not an improvement.

So?  We get into patterns of behavior in what we read, watch and visit.  What they teach and reinforce might have changed.  Don’t let your mind or soul go on vacation for too long.  You might open a package and find out that your new garment is not designed for glory.