Episode 4: Show me a man diligent in his work, and he will stand before kings!
Hey everyone,
Welcome back to this week’s episode of Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince. Today we’re going to talk about one of Lamplighter Ministries’ favorite topics: work ethic.
If you were to step inside Lamplighter headquarters you would find hidden verses all across our campus. 2 Samuel 24:24, Proverbs 22:29, and 2 Chronicles 29:36 are just a few of the verses you can expect to find. These verses are visual representations of the deeper truths that we infuse not only into our campus, but the books we produce, the audio dramas we record, and the lives we live. One of these verses so influenced us here in the ministry that Dr. Hamby decided to make it the theme of Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince.
Show me a man diligent in his work, and he will stand before kings. He will not stand before strange/unknown men. ~ Proverbs 22:29
What an amazing promise wrapped up in a simple yet bold proverb.
To understand the significance of this verse, let’s transport ourselves back in time a little. Imagine with me a quaint little village where everyone lives in perfect harmony with each other. The woodcutters chop the wood that kindles the fire, which boils the stew that the farmers and hunters fill with meat and vegetables from their trade. The geese have eggs (and feathers for pillows), the boys and girls work with their parents to learn new trades, and the parents work to keep wood on the fire and food on the table!
Then, a foreigner enters the scene.
Young Prince Hubert who is used to the ways of the palace, eagerly goes out searching for playfellows to entertain him in his games. Yet he finds that everyone has a place, a purpose, a profession. Everyone except him.
The very idea of working appalls the young boy. To which, Jacques, a fellow playmate, quickly responds, “if you are to stay in this village, you must work. We have no idlers here. As my father would say, ‘He who would not work need not eat.’” Although Jacques’ words were taken from 2 Thessalonians 3:10, they do little to encourage the stuck-up prince.
Leaving Jacques in order to seek out more entertaining company, Hugh journeys into the forest. However, through a series of awkward events, Hugh starts to get increasingly lonely and discouraged.
Then, an unexpected friend enters the scene: Denton the woodcutter’s son. Strong, capable, and kind, Denton takes compassion on Hugh and offers to teach the boy how to chop wood. After nearly chopping off Denton’s foot and accidentally hurling his ax into a nearby tree, Hugh is tempted to cut his losses and walk home. Yet Denton patiently shows Hugh how to aim and handle the ax. “As my father says,” the young woodcutter says gently, with axe above head, “show me a man diligent in his work, and he will stand before kings.”
Little did he think how these words would sink into Hugh’s heart as the young boy’s mind instantly transported to those not-so-long-ago days at the palace.
“If you keep diligent at chopping, perhaps one day you will stand before kings,” Denton says, with a kind smile.
“Maybe I will,” replied Hugh, a surge of emotions rising inside him.
Then, the scene ends, as tastefully as it started. I remember eagerly listening to this audio drama as a kid, waiting for what happened next. Hugh’s disappointment in his lack of skill and purpose resonated with me. Kids need purpose and direction to feel valued and secure. As Proverbs 29:18 says, "without vision, the people perish." Hugh is starting to grasp what this kind of vision looks like, although it is difficult for him to understand.
Next week contains one of my favorite sections—and the eagerly anticipated resolve to today’s episode on chopping wood and working hard!
Till next time,
Molly Mayo
P.S. Here are some of my favorite Lamplighter books on hard work ethic!
Basil, or, Honesty and Industry (All ages)
Jack the Conqueror (Ages 6-11)
Phil Tyler’s Stand (Ages 12+)
