Wolves Dressed Like Sheep
I truly miss watching the Bugs Bunny cartoons. I never see them any more.
My daughter watches SpongeBob Squarepants, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, the Fairly Odd Parents and Camp Lazlo, but no Bugs Bugs Bunny…Bugs doesn’t seem to be available any more.
With Bugs, I loved every character. There was Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Granny, the Martian, Peppie Le Peu, the Roadrunner, the Singing Frog, Sylvester the Cat, the Tasmanian Devil, Tweetie Bird, Wiley Coyote, Yosemite Sam and a host of other hilarious and silly figures who could accomplish and survive virtually anything.
Almost always, one character was trying to get one over on the other - trying to confuse, deceive, defeat, finagle, fool and rip off the other for one thing or the other.
One particular set of cartoon segments seen periodically with Bugs and the crew dealt with a wolf (that was very reminiscent of Wiley Coyote) and a sheep dog (named Ralph) that matched wits with each other regarding the sheep the wolf wanted that Ralph was employed to protect. In these segments, Ralph would come to work, clock in and relieve the out-going sheep dog (Frank or Fred - I don’t recall which). However, though the wolf had no relief, he was always constantly, consistently and diligently “working” to steal the sheep regardless of which sheep dog was on duty, and some of his schemes to get the sheep were ingeniously classic.
One significant plot the wolf employed to acquire his “dinner” was to disguise himself as one of the sheep. He would physically step into a zip-up sheep costume and once donned, he would look just like a sheep.
The Lord of all creation and existence and the Savior of all mankind once warned “Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16a - King James Version)
Check out His warning re-stated in Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the Bible, titled, “The Message:” Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or the other.
Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character.
Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook.” (Matthew 7:15-16 - The Message)
When Jesus speaks of prophets in this passage, He is essentially referencing people of prominence and standing as prophets were viewed in that day. Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of that title “prophet” as preachers recognizes that Jesus was speaking of people who were and are seen as leaders.
You see, in Jesus’ day and today, prophets and preachers were people who proclaimed a message. This message was supposed to be God’s message, but unfortunately, with some prophets and preachers it often was not. When it was not, it was their own message and that message that pretended to be God’s message was deceptive and untruthful.
People who proclaim messages today are not limited to just prophets and preachers. There are people who are proclaiming all kinds of messages today in an effort to obtain votes from you and I so they can become members of Congress, the House of Representatives and yes, even the President.
In order to heed Jesus’ warning, we must learn who these people are when they’re not talking, giving impassioned speeches and smiling for the cameras. We must thoroughly research their beliefs, convictions and stands on issues that are of important concern to us as opposed to hearing them or the media simply “talk” about them.
When they say “It’s time for a change,” we must find out what they really mean by that. In other words, what is it that they hope to, intend to or will strive to change.
When they say “Help me make history,” we must learn what is their real purpose for making history, or more importantly, how will their making history really benefit or improve the issues our nation is currently facing.
Before we cast our vote in an effort to nominate and designate our future leaders in government or wherever, we need to know what’s beneath the skin, under the hood and firmly fixed in the heart of the candidate and/or position seeker.
The sheep dog in the Bugs Bunny cartoons was never fooled by the wolf, especially when the wolf dressed up like a sheep. That’s because the sheep dog was observant and vigilant. He knew the essence of both sheep and wolf, could differentiate the two beyond what he could see or be told, was informed and could not, would not be fooled.
Get deeply, highly and thoroughly informed about your current leaders and future would-be leaders - regardless of the office/position held or hoped to hold.
After that, pray to God about them to know their purposes better. Consulting His wisdom is the best source of obtaining accurate and valid information.
We want to be very sure we do not select to elect a wolf that’s dressing him or herself like a sheep.
Copyright © Paul Schneidmill 2008 All Rights Reserved