SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 30:24-28

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

The Proverbs Of Agur: Principles Of Wisdom In Creation: Proverbs 30:24-28

24) There be four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise:

25) The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

26) The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

27) The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

28) The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

In this chapter we may have a new author, a man by the name of Agur.  Very little is known about this man but, from the context of our text, it seems as if he is a teacher who is instructing his two students Ithiel and Ucal.  

EXPOSITION:

Agur now gives to us a listing of some wise principles that can be learned through God’s creation…

24) There be four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise:

1.  Agur teaches us that his list of four types of wise creatures are typically looked upon as being insignificant

2.  yet they possess an overflowing wisdom that they exhibit in their actions.

Agur is helping us to understand a very important principle. In the eyes of the world, it is normally thought that the wisest among us are the ones with the greatest education, wealth, or position of authority.  However, the possession and exhibition of wisdom is not limited to the great.  Many times those who are insignificant in the eyes of man are the ones who possess the greatest amount of wisdom. 

“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:  Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.  Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?  In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”   (Job 12:7-10)

25) The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

Example #1: The ant

1.  The ants are a division of insect that are not physically strong in comparison to other creatures.

2.  However, because they are wise, they make sure they store up food in times of plenty.

There are two lessons we can learn about wisdom in this illustration:

1.  Wisdom can be used to overcome PHYSICAL WEAKNESSES.  Although the ants are weak and cannot survive winter if they had to find daily food, wisdom allows them to lay up for their winter needs.  In doing so, they can overcome their weakness to the cold by never leaving their burrows in search of food during the winter season.  

2.  Wisdom teaches us to LOOK AHEAD, PREDICT OUR FUTURE NEEDS AND THEN GRADUALLY WORK TO MEET THOSE COMING NEEDS.

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,  Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.”  (Proverbs 6:6-8)

26) The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

Example #2: The rabbit (or an animal similar to a rabbit?) (the Hebrew word is unclear on its identity – for our study we will use a rabbit)

1.  The rabbit is a weaker type of animal with little natural defenses.

2.  The rabbit exhibits wisdom by living in very strong, defensible homes.

There are two lessons we can learn about wisdom in this illustration:

1.  Wisdom can be used to overcome OUR NATURAL DEFICIENCIES.  Although rabbits have weak defenses, they can strengthen their weak defenses by choosing to live in burrows made among rocks.  This makes digging up their burrows much more difficult for their predators. 

2.  Wisdom teaches us to HONESTLY EVALUATE OUR SHORTCOMINGS AND DEVELOP WAYS TO FORTIFY THEM.

“The high hills [are] a refuge for the wild goats; [and] the rocks for the conies.” (Psalms 104:18)

27) The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

Example #3 – The locust

1.  The locusts do not follow the leadership of a king (unlike bees who follow the queen etc.)

2.  The locusts have the ability to labor together as a unified group.

There are two lessons we can learn about wisdom in this illustration:

1.  Wisdom can be used to overcome OUR LACK OF DIRECTION.  Although locusts have no leader that directs their movements, by wisdom they know the proper role they are to play in a group setting.  By each doing their own part, they can successfully feed themselves and aid, not hinder the efforts of others.   

2.  Wisdom teaches us to HONESTLY EVALUATE OUR GIFTS AND ABILITIES.  In doing so, we can better UNDERSTAND OUR ROLE WE ARE EXPECTED TO FULFILL IN OUR SERVICE TO HIM.

“That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.  Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.  For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth [are] the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.  He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast [it] away; the branches thereof are made white.”   (Joel 1:4-7)

28) The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

Example #4 – The spider

1.  The spider grabs and carefully manipulates her web with her hands instead of spreading it at random

2.  The spider inhabits not only nature and the house of poor men, but in places of authority and honor as well.

There are two lessons we can learn about wisdom in this illustration:

1.  Wisdom can be used to overcome THE WEAKNESSES OF OUR FALLEN NATURES. The spider’s web is one of the most fragile, weak and exposed tools that are used by any of God’s creation.  But, in spite of their weaknesses, the spider’s web is an absolute necessity for the spider’s welfare.  By wisdom, the spider spins the vulnerable web very carefully spinning it in the most effective, strong and beautiful way as possible.  This allows the spider’s web to accomplish the task set before it and, due to its incredible beauty, allows it to be an acceptable addition to the most luxurious of homes.     

2.  Wisdom teaches us to RECOGNIZE THE RESULTS OF OUR FALLEN NATURE UPON OUR TESTIMONY FOR CHRIST.  By doing this, we can see our need to TAKE GREAT CARE AND DILIGENCE AS WE SEEK TO WEAVE A STRONG, EFFECTIVE AND BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY FOR HIM.

“So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:  Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a spider's web.  He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.”  (Job 8:13-15)

SUMMARY:

We have seen in our study for today that the simple things of nature (ant, rabbit, locust and spider) can teach us much about the importance and nature of Godly wisdom.  By His grace, let us all strive to be like these “weak ones” as we live our lives to display His wisdom to a lost and dying world.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/

SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com 

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 30:21-23

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

The Proverbs Of Agur: Great Horrors Upon Humanity: Proverbs 30:21-23

21) For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:

22) For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

23) For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

In this chapter we may have a new author, a man by the name of Agur.  Very little is known about this man but, from the context of our text, it seems as if he is a teacher who is instructing his two students Ithiel and Ucal.  

EXPOSITION:

Agur now gives to us a listing of some things that are great, fearful, burdens upon humanity …

21) For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:

1.  There are three things that cause mankind to violently shake in fear

2.  There are four things that cannot be borne by mankind.

In the following listing, we find things that are heavy burdens that bring fear of great harm upon mankind…

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem.  And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”   (Zechariah 12:2-3)

22) For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

1. A bondservant given authority to rule over all

2. A person who does not apply the Word to his life and is filled with goods that please his fleshly desires.

Agur understood that:

1.  Rulers who are not prepared to rule

2.  Those who are content rejecting the Word and living to fulfill their fleshly desires…

Both are great dangers to humanity.  In both cases, they work great acts of evil by leading men astray and abusing others for personal satisfaction.

“And I will give children [to be] their princes, and babes shall rule over them.  And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.”   (Isaiah 3:4-5)

“For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.  They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.”   (Psalms 73:3-10)

23) For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

1.  A hateful, argumentative woman when she enters the marital covenant

2.  A  female bondservant who is given the position of her mistress through inheritance or marriage to the husband of her mistress.

Both of these are harmful to society by causing a breakdown in the family unit: 

1.  The argumentative married person stirs up, and sustains, turmoil and unrest in the family.  Instead of peace, love and happiness ruling in the family, they only produce discord, animosity and grief to control the day.

2.  The bondservant who replaces those who rule over them will possess pride in their hearts and will cause jealousy, hatred and bitterness among others in the family. 

(In many cases, the bondservant was motivated by selfishness and greed. They obtained the inheritance through deception, cunning, and the abuse of those originally meant to receive the inheritance.) 

All of this is working to bring great division and antagonism between the family members.    

“[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”  (Proverbs 21:19)

“He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become [his] son at the length.”   (Proverbs 29:21)

SUMMARY:

When men are abused and mistreated by foolish rulers, they lose the respect and trust of those under their authority.  Instead of working for the good of their subjects leading to peace and satisfaction among the masses, their selfish actions produce only hostility and skepticism.  

The family unit is perhaps the most important tool that can be used to glorify the Lord throughout the ongoing generations of humanity.  When the family unit is hindered, the coming generation is robbed of the opportunity to receive the Word of the Lord through the teachings and examples of their parents.  Instead of the family being a refuge of peace and comfort it is made into a place of turmoil and upheaval. 

These things are a great danger to society and should be feared and abhorred by all mankind.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/

SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com 

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 30:18-20

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

The Proverbs Of Agur: The Secretive Nature Of Sinful Acts: Proverbs 30:18-20

18) There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

19) The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

20) Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

In this chapter we may have a new author, a man by the name of Agur.  Very little is known about this man but, from the context of our text, it seems as if he is a teacher who is instructing his two students Ithiel and Ucal.  

EXPOSITION:

Agur now gives to us several pictures of things that are conspicuous in God’s creation …

18) There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

Agur begins this section by listing for us several acts of nature that cause wonder on the part of man…

1.  There are three things that are mysterious and undetectable in God’s creation

2.  Four things that leave no evidence for man to examine  

Agur will now share with us things of God’s creation that cause man to wander and be amazed.  Why are these such wondrous acts?  It is because they leave behind no evidence for man to examine, they produce no proof of their existence.

Please note:  Normally, the term “wonderful” is used to describe things that are so great that they produce and attitude of awe and amazement.  However, in this verse, “wonderful” is used to describe “that which cannot be known” as in Job 42:3…

“Who [is] he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.”   (Job 42:3)

19) The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

1.  The eagle as it soars above the earth

2.  The reptile as it warms itself on the warm rocks

3.  The ship that floats in the middle of the ocean

4.  The man that has intimate relations with a woman

All of these things have one thing in common, secrecy….

1.  The eagle – an eagle leaves no lasting trail in the sky as it soars

2.  The reptile – a reptile leaves no lasting impression on the rocks after it departs

3.  The ship – a ship leaves no lasting trail as the water closes in burying its wake

4.  The man and maid - Their intimacy is performed in secret leaving no lasting public evidence of the encounter.

Please keep in mind, although we cannot prove these things take place due to lack of evidence, the Lord does not need evidence to have knowledge of these things, nor does He forget they have taken place.

“O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.  [So is] this great and wide sea, wherein [are] things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.  There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.  These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season.  [That] thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.  Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.  Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.”  (Psalms 104:24-30)

The theme of secrecy is then carried through using a sinful example of secrecy…

20) Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

1.  This same principle applies to the road taken by the sinful who serve their fleshly lusts…

2.  They consume acts of sin to fulfill the hunger of their flesh

3.  They then attempt to wipe away any evidence of their wrongdoing

4.  They verbally deny any wrongdoing in the hopes it will never be detected.

Just like the eagle, lizard, ship and man, the sinful individual, many times, leaves no perceptible trail of wickedness.  Often they receive no earthly punishment for breaking the laws of God. 

However, just like the above four examples from nature, although the wicked may hide their sins from man and  never face human judgment, the Lord knows these sins have taken place and will render His judgment in the last days.

“For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.  [There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.  For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he should enter into judgment with God.”   (Job 34:21-23)

  

SUMMARY:

Many times our human perspective and understanding will fail us and the deceptive nature of the sinful will seem to prevail.  However, the Lord’s perception will always overcome the deceit of lost mankind.  Sinful mankind will never escape the sight nor justice of the Almighty. 

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/

SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com