Study · The Word of God

Lessons from a silly goose.

Elihu

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All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, NASB

Never miss a teachable moment—even from a silly goose.

My children have been memorizing the above passage from 2 Timothy for the past two weeks. As I considered how to explain this particular memory verse, I realized I needed a little help.

Enter Petunia, the silly goose.

“Petunia,” written by Roger Duvoisin, spins the tale of a proud, silly goose who stumbles upon a book lying in the grass. She had previously heard the farmer tell his son, “he who owns books and loves them is wise.” So Petunia, wanting to be wise, takes the book, carries it under her wing, and grows proud. She truly believes that her newfound possession has gifted her with instant wisdom. The other animals also fall prey to the delusion that she is one to be consulted, and so begins a sequence of small catastrophes.

Petunia’s reputation finally explodes when she foolishly advises her friends to eat a box of firecrackers…

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It is in that moment Petunia realizes her error.

Simply owning the book was not enough…

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“It was not enough to carry wisdom under my wing. I must put it in my mind and in my heart.”

How many people carry a Bible, display one on the coffee table, or even own an entire shelf of Bible-related reading material, yet never crack it open to see what’s inside???

If we do not read the Bible or apply it to our lives, we are no better than that silly goose.

 

The passage in Timothy reveals one more important truth: we need the Word in order to be complete. Owning a physical book is not as valuable as applying the truths contained within.

Open the ultimate book of wisdom.

Commit it to your mind.

Roll it around in your heart.

Practice it in your life.

You may think owning a Bible gives you status in the eyes of others, but only those who possess it in their hearts have status with God.

Published by Elihu

Elihu Anderson is a California refugee currently thriving on the West Texas plains. She is the founder of elihuscorner.com and is a contributor to Kirk Cameron's website TheCourage.com. When she isn't writing, reading, or teaching, she is sipping on some iced homemade chai and enjoying time with a good friend. Come by and say hi at elihuscorner.com or visit me on Facebook.com/elihuscorner

16 thoughts on “Lessons from a silly goose.”

  1. Lol! Well said. You are such a good dad. To this day I use characters like petunia to strengthen my own bible study, to help me remember ideas. I read a lot as a kid and being able to relate the bible to literature, even kids tales, has been a real blessing. I call it the digested word, because it helps you to absorb all those nutrients.

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    1. Thanks, IB!

      Indeed, literature can be a great vista for Biblical truths if our eyes are opened to it. I believe Jesus often used stories because their illustrative power was so effective. 😀

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  6. Whenever teaching or commenting on II Timothy 3:16-17, I like to back into verse 15 which reminds us that the Scriptures also make us wise unto salvation. That is even more important than teaching, correct, reproving, and training. J.

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