Proverbs 27.8
“Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.”
A healthy home is a place of safety and security. This proverb is a warning to those who think the “grass is greener on the other side.”
The “nest” and “home” are metaphors for the place of safety and of security. For a bird to leave the nest is dangerous. The term used for this leaving is the word “stray” or “wander.” The bird is not flying from the nest for the purpose of hunting or finding food for itself and its young. This bird is just following its own curiosity wandering away from the nest to see what it can see.
When people leave the safety of the home, they become vulnerable. There is a word for birds who wander from their nests … prey! They become prey for those who are watching to see if they leave the protection and cover of the nest.
“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” (Proverbs 18.1)
The home—the nest—for the people of God is twofold: family and the fellowship. God designed us to be part of a family and part of a fellowship. We are physically born into a physical family, and we are spiritually born into the family of God. We are “at home” when we are faithfully and intimately connected to our families, and we are at home when we are faithfully and personally connected to the fellowship of believers.
The family that honors God is a place of safety and security. The same is true for the Christian fellowship. It is where we experience:
- Teaching and truth
- Worship and celebration
- Encouragement and support
- Correction and accountability
Stay close to the family. Stay connected to the fellowship.
Coram Deo
