Proverbs Study – Lesson 49 (Proverbs chapter 30:18-33)
V. 18-9 Next he in a bit of a poetic way prompts thought that is not fully meant for complete and fully known knowledge. He stated this in a way that seems to prompt his students to search things out in life that are mysteries but in the process to be reminded to enjoy the process for there is pleasure and purpose in the journey. We see this in the term(s) that he uses here. He states that in seeing these mysteries they prompt his curiosity not knowing the answer but still giving him a ‘wonderful’ feeling or perception.
Watching a bird, especially a rather large and beautiful one, navigate the air with such poise and confidence has always been a pleasure of man. We can analyze and figure out to death how it is that it is done, but no need to, just to watch its gracefulness is enough. It is the same for watching a serpent on a rock. Some translations translate serpent meaning a snake others specify it as being a lizard. There is a pleasure in just watching. It is a little different for watching a ship on the sea. It is not hard to put ourselves in their position while still standing on dry land imagining what it must be like out there, in our mind helping them on their journey.
But, the last one that he mentions is a real mystery. The love shared and expressed between a man and woman is an unfolding mystery that can last a lifetime. It must be stated here that it is sure that he is not just referring to the relationship between men and women in general, for he goes on in v. 20 to give an example of an inappropriate example of love. The first thing we think of in our culture in mentioning a relationship between a man and woman is the physical relationship involving sex. But, instead in v. 19 he makes reference to the wonder and satisfying experience of a healthy proper relationship between a man and a woman which involves more than just sex in marriage and prior to marriage does not include sex at all. He makes mention that this relationship is so full that words cannot explain it. His comment here of these things seems to highlight these as well as other wonders of life saying, ‘don’t go to fast, passing them by. If you do you will miss some of the best parts of life’.
In v. 20 he shows the opposite of right living that is complete and full by giving us a picture of the brute beast of lusty pleasure saying that indulging in it becomes a trap that skews reality not knowing anymore what is right or wrong or which side is up or down. In this situation only one thing matters…pleasure. Nothing else matters and she can never get her fill. In this situation there is no room for the fullness of love between a man and woman in a biblical relationship. Lust and pleasure will not let in the other pleasures in a relationship that are outside the physical act of sex. Because of this the relationship becomes lopsided and instead of wonder becomes full of pain.
v. 21-3 The entire book of Proverbs has the purpose of helping us put life into perspective. However, when things are out of place, out of bounds or is not as it is meant to be life becomes ‘odious’ as stated here in this section becoming burdensome making it impossible or near impossible to bear. In this world of relativism where anything is ok, Agur would say that it is not so. There are certain things that do not mix and do not fit no matter how much you try to deny it. He picks four things. There are more. But, he says that they are things that are such a mismatch that he warns his students of them so that when they encounter them they will know to stand clear.
The first he mentions is someone that is put into a position of authority that they are not equipped to do. There are those who are task oriented and those who are managerial in nature. He says that putting a servant in a managerial position where they are required to make decisions that affect other peoples’ lives can be harmful. As a matter of fact he has observed in his experience and lifetime that it can be downright devastating.
The second thing that he states that he observed is that when a fool is full he has no motivation. He saw that a fool is not motivated to work to make life better, but instead uses up everything around them taking no thought for tomorrow. To their detriment they not only do not work a plan, but they have no plan for tomorrow. They are only motivated when squeezed by life to move and Agur noticed that they had no motivation what so ever when full. In our day he would advise us to not make people in need too comfortable as to not realize that they are part of the answer to their problem. He would say that a little need and a little hunger can do a lot to motivate the unmotivated to act on their behalf to care for those things that they should be responsible for.
Next we are warned again here in Proverbs to be careful of trading temporary benefits for a life of misery and pain. In the KJV he uses the term ‘odious’ to describe the personality of the woman he describes here. Some commentaries make the point that this person prior to marriage tends to hide the real them, some doing this very well, only to fully reveal the real them after tying the knot. There are of course differing degrees of this in most relationships, but this one referred to here is not the norm. It is extreme and dramatic making this person impossible to be with after marriage. He warns us to be careful advising to go into a relationship with our eyes open telling us to not be too hasty in taking the important step of marriage. He is not advising us to necessarily distrust a person, but to not throw away good judgment when considering such an important decision. Some can be very good at hiding ‘the real them’, but if enough time and due consideration is given to the relationship big mistakes can be avoided.
Lastly he mentions the potential problem of a servant girl replacing her mistress. The reference here is not just the possibility of an inappropriate relationship between the master and a servant, but can also refer to and is more likely referring to a servant taking the place of her mistress that has passed. It is obvious the problems that can occur in the first situation. But, making the transition between servant and mistress is also a difficult step in life and one not easily accomplished. It is shortsightedness and narrow thinking to think that all that is involved is love between two. There are many other peripheral parts to this relationship that are needed to make this work. One that is often overlooked is the family connections on both sides of the relationship. Others involved in the lives to these two can often make or break a relationship. This is why many marriages involving different cultures are often so difficult. Customs and ways are real issues and are not often taken into consideration in such relationships making it not impossible to overcome, but difficult and to say the least challenging.
Next in verses 24-28 he mentions four mysteries that not only intrigues him, but makes the point that these things can if we follow their example and understand their mystery benefit our lives greatly. In verse 24 he makes the comment that these are small things that can be overlooked, but if we could harness their gift it could have great benefit to our life.
His first observation is the ant and he is overcome by their ability to accomplish such great things by being organized and pulling together and yet being so insignificant and small on their own. He in particular is impressed with their ability here to plan ahead and by doing so they survive and have a bright future. He would advise that we follow their example, planning ahead for the future far before it arrives.
In v. 26 he is impressed with where the rock badger chooses to make his home. His observation is that this animal does not move very fast and therefore is somewhat vulnerable to dangerous encounters, but realizing this chooses to build their home in a fortress making him less vulnerable than other more agile and stronger creatures. If this creature could talk his advice to others concerning safety and positioning our self for life would be ‘location, location, location’.
He continues in v. 27 with a true mystery in essence saying how do they do this. He is overcome with wonder having seen the devastation that can occur with such a feeble insect. Locusts normally individually do not cause enough damage to be overly concerned about. But, for some reason, some unknown force causes them to unite becoming organized as to appear as one causing devastation so great as to boggle the mind. He says in essence that they act as though as they have a king, but none can be found. His observation is one of wonder wishing he could discover their secret, but as yet not having figured it out. We can identify with him for it is still a mystery to us today. He would say ‘Think of the benefit and possibilities to us if we could understand and apply their wisdom’. His advice to us would probably be to keep working on it for the observation and idea has great potential for the future.
And, in v. 28 he is amazed how small things have great potential and not intimidated by giants that they face. As a matter of fact upon observation their handicap can often turn out to be their greatest strength if applied with wisdom. It says that by intention a small thing can penetrate something thought impenetrable by using her determination, abilities and confidence. Many would not even try giving up before they started. Some translations translate this entity as a spider, others as a lizard. Agur would say little things like a spider can encourage and inspire us to tackle things much bigger than us if we follow their example.
V. 29-31 reminds us that how we present ourselves to others like it or not makes an impression on them and we are treated accordingly. He gives four examples here and even though none are examples of direct action or exhibition of power, all of them prompt decisions on our part to approach the examples given with respect and in some cases caution. The Lion just by his walk and manor reminds us to beware and to not take for granted his presence. In v. 31 the first example stated is translated various ways. The reason for this is that the literal translation is ‘one with loins girded’. This could refer to several animals and is translated in different translations as gray hound, a rooster or cock, an eagle or a horse. It is unknown if he was referring to a particular animal or a group of them, but at any rate the reference is to a strong and graceful appearing animal that by its poise demanded notice and respect. He continues by naming two other entities that do the same. There is no doubt as to who the king of the corral is when looking at a pen filled with animals. It is rare to not be able to instantly pick out the head cheese when looking. A king often has to do nothing but look at you to impress you with his will demanding your attention saying ‘this is important’ you better not miss this.
V. 32-3 ‘Don’t do it…Don’t do it…Don’t say it…Don’t say it’, the outcome is sure and you will live to regret it. We have all thought of things that we were going to do or say, making and formulating the plans in our head, right on the verge of execution when we come to our senses and say ‘What was I thinking?’. He advises here in v. 32-3 not to go ahead and do or say it as the self centered voice inside us is prompting us to do. In v. 33 he makes the point that the outcome of such is a sure as the outcome of shaking cream or punching someone hard in the nose, you are sure of what you will get. Going ahead will produce strife as sure as shaking cream will produce butter. Once let out of the pen of conjecture or thought the wild horse is out of the pen and now you must deal with the outcome. He advises that you had better think twice about what you are about to do, or say, if necessary taking an action step and ‘putting your hand over your mouth’ or ‘diverting the action of your hands or feet in another direction’ as to not do or say it. If you do not listen to his advice and do or say what you have devised you will be forcing a confrontation or putting into motion something you will live to regret.
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