To Fathers and Men: The analogy of a coconut

Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

There we were, talking about coconuts last evening. Yes! Coconuts! I woke up to prepare for a seminar but coconuts were still on my mind. So I blogged instead. I dedicate this blog to fathers and men (young, middle aged and mature).

Coconuts can be categorised into three main stages of maturity: young (green) coconuts, mid-mature/ middle age coconuts, and fully mature (brown) coconuts. These stages are primarily determined by the age and development of the coconut.  All coconuts are the same, but the important difference is their age.  Based on their age these coconuts are harvested at their different stages of ripening. (AI assisted)

This background fuelled analogies and forced me to blog, even though I have so much to do! Some Bible texts came immediately to mind. I will draw the analogies based on the stages. 

Young (Green) Coconuts

Proverbs 20:29: The glory of young men is their strength.

Young coconuts are harvested before they are fully ripe, typically 6-9 months after flowering.  They are known for their sweet water and soft jelly-like flesh/meat, green outer husk, and mainly for drinking water. And they are consumed alone! (AI Assisted)  Oh boy!  

Look out young men! People will set out to harvest your flesh and make your water bitter! God calls you when you are young because you are strong  (1 John 2:14) to reflect His glory. Remember your creator in your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15-17) and your water will be sweet. Don't spoil it with wanton behavior and alcohol. Instead be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). And your water will be sweet in your old coconut age (we will get to that!)

Mid-Mature Coconuts:

James 4:7: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV)

This stage is a transitional period between young and fully mature/brown coconuts (9-10 months). They have some hardened meat and are still a good source of water. It is sweeter than the young coconut with more soft and silky meat. It has more nutrients than young coconut meat, but less than brown coconut. It is largely used the same way as a young coconut. So the warning is the same for middle age men as it was for the young. Buy up time (Ephesians 5:16). Walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15). People are out for your sweet juice and jelly! Resist temptation! (James 4:7)

Fully mature coconuts

Fully Mature (Brown) Coconuts:

Proverbs 16:31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. (KJV)

These are harvested after 10-12 months of development. They are commonly called a brown coconut or coco seco. They are characterized by their hard, brown shell, coarse hair, (thick outer husk)  and the thick, chewy flesh inside. The flesh is less sweet than that of younger green coconuts and has a richer, nuttier flavor. They are prized for this flesh.  The hard, white flesh is typically used for making copra, coconut milk, or dried coconut. Brown coconuts have the largest size (I call it heart). The fully mature coconuts are used for various purposes. (AI assisted).

I went crazy with the physical description of the mature coconut. Fast and furious the analogies struck!

Hard brown Shell:

It is difficult to penetrate. Much harder than the young and mature coconuts. To open it requires even more skill. If opened badly you lose the water. The water is sweetest. Some people in frustration use force to get the mature coconut open in their desperate attempts to get what it offers. They whak it or throw it down with force and lose all the sweet water in the process. Even then it requires gentle skill to  remove the firm tasty jelly. Some people butcher it out. Remember,  the warning in 1 Timothy 5:1-2: Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. (NIV) The elderly may be set in their ways, but they are to be handled with care. Be patient with them.

Coarse Hair

While the young coconut has a thinner husk the mature coconut has a hairy husk It is little wonder we are told in  Proverbs 16:31 that The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Mature men, live righteously so the glory of God may be reflected through you to those who come after. In so doing young men may follow your example and emulate the God reflected in you.

Prized, thick, chewy, sweet rich flesh and nutty flavor:

The sweet water and firm jelly of the mature coconut can be likened to a settling into faith. An elderly righteous person has tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Job described it this way: So with old age is wisdom, and with length of days understanding (Job 12:12).  It is little wonder that we are told to honor the aged.

Various uses

Used for various purposes:

Out of all the ages of coconuts, the mature coconut has the most uses. Coconut meat can be eaten as a snack and used to make coconut oil. Coconut oil can be used in skincare or for your hair. There is also coconut milk which is used in various foods, There is also coconut tarts, coconut drops, coconut bake, And of course some of us eat the mature coconut meat right from the husk.

What also caught my attention was the need to shake coconuts to determine their maturity level! "If it makes a lot of sloshing sounds, it means that it has less coconut water so it is an older coconut. If it doesn't make a lot of sloshing sounds when shaken, it has more water which means it is a younger one." Purvey'd Blog. Listen, shaking/trials are for a reason. It tests your faith, your resilience. It shows who you are!

Same tree, different coconuts

While you may see all coconuts as the same, (from your vantage point), after reading this blog ponder that  the important difference is their age. May we treat all coconuts, oops our fathers/men, with necessary skill to match their maturity level. And fathers/men remember, if you allow the wrong person to open you up, you can be butchered! But that is the subject of another blog!

Butchered!

Note:

 I am not a coconut expert so AI was used in defining the stages of the coconut but not for the analogies!