When I took my first West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam some years back, I only had a “C” in Fine Art and Yoruba.
My mother was disappointed in being an educationist and the director of schools in Ogun State under the Ministry of Education.
But I had an Uncle who said to me, “Thank you for not disappointing us. Do you know how many students have an “F” in their own mother language? I’m proud of you,” he said.
I never knew how hard Yoruba as a language can be until I had to correct my friend who has a BSc. Edu. Yoruba and still cannot write some Yoruba words correctly or give a proper interpretation.
Well, abi’ni-bi is never the same as ability.
And please, don’t blame them. I’ve had the opportunity to come in contact with an Englishman who could not write his own name or speak English well.
Nigeria is considered one of the top English-speaking countries in Africa, and according to the EF English Proficiency Index, Nigeria ranks 28th globally among non-native English-speaking countries. This ranking indicates that Nigerians have a high level of English proficiency, but it’s still below that of many native English-speaking countries.
In Africa, Nigeria ranks third in English proficiency, behind South Africa and Kenya. Globally, countries like Sweden, Netherlands, and Denmark have higher English proficiency levels among non-native speakers.
It is worth noting that English proficiency in Nigeria varies depending on factors like education level, region, and exposure to the language. Major cities like Lagos and Abuja tend to have higher English proficiency levels than rural areas/other states.
The Bible is written in English, which makes it very difficult to understand some written words in our mother tongue and so, we miss the core things that we need to lay hold on certain things both in life and in the Kingdom.
In Luke 3:21–22 the Bible recorded that, “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You, I am well pleased.”
Reading this sounds good but you needed to read this in Yoruba to know how deep the event that took place in Luke 3:21–22 is.
In Luku 3:21-22 it was said that, “Nígbà tí a ṣe ìtẹ̀bọmi àwọn ènìyàn gbogbo tán, ó sì ṣe, a bamitiisi Jesu pẹ̀lú, bí ó ti ń gbàdúrà, ọ̀run ṣí sílẹ̀, Ẹ̀mí Mímọ́ sì sọ̀kalẹ̀ sí orí rẹ̀ ní àwọ̀ àdàbà, ohùn kan sì ti ọ̀run wá, tí ó wí pé, “Ìwọ ni àyànfẹ́ ọmọ mi; ẹni tí inú mi dùn sí gidigidi.”
The English version says, “While He prayed, the heaven was opened”. The Yoruba version says, “bí ó ti ń gbàdúrà, ọ̀run ṣí sílẹ̀”.
Meaning that heaven opened.
There is an Odu Ifa called Orunmila but he was not just Odu Ifa, he was also a Man before he became a god and it is worth mentioning that he was my great, great grandfather and I’m proud to be identified with him.
I’ve heard several people mostly the Yoruba movie actors saying that “Orunmila” mean “Orun ni o mo eni ti o ma la” meaning “only heaven knows who will succeed in life”.
That is not a true interpretation.
The “Orunmila” can be interpreted as a confirmation or a command.
It could be interpreted to be…
“Orunmila” my heaven had opened or
“Orunmila” my heaven be open.
One is a confirmation and the other is a command.
Orunmila is known today as a significant deity in the Yoruba pantheon, revered as the patron god of wisdom, knowledge, and divination. He’s often depicted as a wise and powerful figure, guiding individuals toward wisdom and enlightenment.
In Isaiah 11:2–3, God was speaking futuristically about Jesus saying, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
This saying was confirmed in Luke 4:18 when Jesus Christ said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, yo set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Looking at what was said in Isaiah 11:2–3 and Luke 4:18 and Jesus Christ and comparing that with some of Orunmila’s character and attitudes as reflected in various Odu Ifa, showcasing his wisdom, spiritual guidance, and destiny alignment. One will be wondering what exactly is going on.
Don’t forget that our forefathers who came about these Odu Ifas are nerver learned and have no Bible in their days to read or copy some verses to make Orunmila look good and deity.
Orunmila is revered as the Orisha of divine wisdom, foresight, and destiny, providing clarity and spiritual guidance to ensure humans align with their destinies.
In Psalm 139:16 King David said, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book, they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
Jesus Christ fulfilled this saying in Hebrews 10:7, “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—in the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God.’”
John 4:34–35, “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”
In the Odu Ifa, Orunmila recognizes Osun’s importance and involves her in deliberations, demonstrating humility and acknowledgement of others’ value. He even gave Osun the Eerindinlogun system of divination and taught her how to use it.
“Eerindinlogun” means Sixteen. To understand what that means, read Psalm Sixteen with an open mind.
The Odu Otura highlights the importance of perseverance and integrity, reflecting Orunmila’s character in standing against adversity and promoting truth.
This was confirmed in Hebrews 12:2–3, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Ogbe Meji, an Odu Ifa associated with Orunmila, teaches empathy and understanding in healthy relationships, warning against jealousy, gossip, and dishonesty.
This was confirmed in Matthew 14:14, And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude, and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Orunmila’s character is also reflected in his leadership, emphasizing strategic planning, integrity, and wisdom. He advises against impulsive decisions and encourages collaboration with others.
That was confirmed in Matthew 23:11–13, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
According to Odu-Gunda, Orunmila sought success by marrying “Iwa” (good character), demonstrating the importance of gentle character, good reputation, pride, and glory within the sanctions of Olodumare.
In Matthew 5:43–48, Jesus Christ taught us about good characters saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Orunmila prioritizes IFA knowledge over material wealth, cautioning that excessive love for money can spoil one’s character.
In Luke 11:52, Jesus states, “Woe to you, lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter in, and those who were entering in you hindered.” The “key of knowledge” refers to the understanding of the Law and its application, which the lawyers were supposed to possess and share but were withholding.
What the lawyers were doing to the people in the days of Jesus Christ taking away the key of knowledge from the people and they also did not enter in, and those who were entering in they hindered is the exact thing the religion and the religious leaders are doing to many people today.
There are several people who experienced open heaven in the Bible, from Enoch to Elijah, Ezekiel, Jesus, Stephen, John, and Nathanael. Of all the seven of them, only Jesus Christ has direct access to God.
Enoch, Elijah and Ezekiel experienced open heaven living their everyday lives with no religion or attachment to anything and anyone.
Stephen experienced the same at the point of crucifixion, John experienced the same because of his closeness to his brother, Jesus and Nathanael experienced the same by way of association.
While God sent Jesus Christ as a saviour to the children of Israel, Matthew 15:24, “But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Prophet Muhammad was sent to the Arab world and Orunmila was sent to the Yoruba nations.
Leave everyone to live their lives.
