Therefore, should one refrain from fulfilling this claim, he might say: Then allow me to sow, and let another partake. This conveys the meaning that he wishes for the utterances of his mouth to be enacted not by himself but by another. If a preacher's lifestyle contradicts his message, he both sows and starves, as another benefits from his words while he himself fails to partake of the spiritual sustenance he is to provide. When a teacher neglects to embody the righteous conduct of their preaching, disciples may hear the truth in vain, as the teacher's actions may exhibit a destructive example, thus justifying the phrase: and let mine be removed.
The ‘offspring’ of a teacher perishes when he, who is spiritually birthed through his teachings, is led astray by the teacher's poor example. Just as in Solomon's account, a woman caused the death of the child she was nursing by neglect. 1 Kings 3:19. In a similar manner, when instructors fall into a state of negligence in their spiritual lives while attempting to nurture their hearers through preaching, they risk bringing about spiritual death due to their lack of action aligned with their words. Thus, while they remain unjust, they cannot cultivate disciples who lead honorable lives but often seek followers from other teachers in order to appear virtuous in the eyes of society, thereby attempting to mask the moral decay of their own lives. The story illustrates how the woman who brought harm to her child sought to claim another child. However, Solomon’s wisdom uncovered the true mother, revealing that one's true character is demonstrated through their actions when faced with divine judgement.
It is significant to note that the child was first proposed to be separated before being returned to its true mother, reflecting how, in this earthly existence, the lives of disciples may sometimes necessitate separation, with some gaining the favor of God while others earn human accolades. The false mother, devoid of concern for the child who was not hers, callously proclaims that she prefers there to be neither her nor the rightful mother. This is akin to teachers who, lacking genuine love, are envious and act cruelly if they cannot garner admiration from another's students. Fueled by jealousy, they become fixated on securing followers for themselves rather than nurturing the growth of others they cannot claim as their own.
In contrast, the true mother, in her anguish, willingly allows her child, even in the care of a stranger, to survive, indicating that genuine educators are prepared to sacrifice the accolades of mentoring, ensuring their charges do not suffer loss of life in the process. Through such trials, true mercy is revealed, and the authentic mother emerges, proven by her protective instincts and sacrificial love. Hence, true teachers not only celebrate the successes of students mentored by others but also encourage connections that enhance their students' growth, ensuring that at the Last Judgement, they might joyfully receive back their spiritual children in fullness due to the virtues of their lives.
These reflections are provided to highlight how the negligence of teachers can lead to the spiritual downfall of their disciples; for those who fail to live according to their teachings uproot the foundations of righteousness from which their words were meant to nurture. However, the righteous Job, through the diligence of his acts, never caused the demise of those whom he inspired. Therefore, he confidently expresses: Then allow me to plant, and let another reap, let what is mine be taken; and he continually examines himself, seeking any blemish of sinful action, and thus he adds:
THEOSIS