Proverb 30:24 - 31:9
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Proverb 30:24 - 31:9 A Mother’s Wisdom Pastor Gregg Downs Calvary Chapel of Mercer County www.ccmercer.com September 30, 2018 !1 of !27 Good morning everyone. We return this morning to continue our look at the wisdom of Agur recorded for us in chapter 30 of the Book of Proverbs. We began our look last week at this chapter, but were not able to make our way all the way through. As such, we pick up this morning where we left off in verse 24. As you are turning there, I will remind you that our study last week was entitled Keenly Observant which comes from our observation of the way in which Agur himself exercised observation. Agur was, as we took notice, a keenly observant man who took notice of those things, events, occurrences around him and then prayerfully and humbly drew conclusions from those observations. By way of review, I will remind you that Agur began the chapter where all men and women of wisdom begin - in humility. In comparing himself with other men, he calls himself stupid. He says, Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. Proverbs 30:2 Which, again, means unlearned or not taught. In comparing himself with God, he says, !2 of !27 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Proverbs 30:3 He then says, any semblance of knowledge I do have is based on what the Lord has been gracious to reveal, through His Word, to my heart. 5 Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6 From those statements of humility, Agur moved (in verses 7, 8 and 9) to the only prayer recorded for us in the book of Proverbs, asking the Lord for two things. He says, Lord, keep me from falsehood and deception. 7 Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9 !3 of !27 and, give me neither poverty nor riches. 7 Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9 In short, he prays that anything that might cause him to sin - whether they be lies, deception, excess, scarcity - whatever they may be, he prays that they will be kept from him, lest those things trip him up. What a great prayer. It would be a good prayer for each of to pray for ourselves as well. From there (vs 10-14), Agur begins to provide us with his observations about life and in doing so, we see what he does with those observations - he prayerfully considers them. He takes notice, in verse 10, of those that slander others and the way in which that slander of another opens oneself up to accusations and attack. He draws our attention to those who curse and dishonor their parents (vs 11) or who are lifted up in pride and self-righteousness (vs 12-13) or who are harsh and cruel toward the weak and the needy (vs !4 of !27 14). And in each case, he is whispering a silent prayer that he would not fall into the same trap these individuals have fallen into. Beginning then in verse 15, He begins to draw our attention to three things and then four that catch his attention. In verses 15 and 16, Three things and then four that are never satisfied. In verses 18 and 19, Three things and then four that are too wonderful to understand. In verses 21-23, Three things and then four that cause the earth to tremble (or to say, That’s just not right). And then, after having taken notice of each of these things, he prayerfully considers those things until he comes to the point of worship. Though the words aren’t written the context demonstrates that he is saying, Lord, these things are not right, but You are. Lord, these things will never bring lasting satisfaction, help me find my peace and rest and satisfaction in You. Lord, these things are too wonderful to understand, yet You understand them. !5 of !27 Lord, You are magnificent. I worship You. Agur used every opportunity of life as an chance to keenly observe life and prayerfully consider those things. It was as if he was having a moment by moment time of contemplation. He was, as Paul would refer to it in the New Testament, Praying without ceasing. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 That brings us to where we left off last week. Picking up then in verse 24, we find Agur once again using that three and then four formula except this time he cuts right to the chase saying, there are four things that capture my attention and whose lessons we can learn. 24 Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: 25 the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; 26 the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; 27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; 28 the !6 of !27 lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28 This time, the thing that has caught his attention are the small yet exceedingly wise creatures of God’s creation. 24 Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: 25 the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; 26 the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; 27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; 28 the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28 Agur draws our attention to the ants, the rock badgers, the locusts and the lizards (some versions say spiders). 24 Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: 25 the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; 26 the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; 27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; 28 the !7 of !27 lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28 All small, and in some cases, tiny creatures and yet admirable for their wisdom. The ant who works in the summer to store up for the winter. The rock badger with limited ability to dig or defend themselves, yet wise enough to know that it can craw into the clefts of the rock to hide itself from predators. The locusts, without a leader barking out orders, yet somehow able to work in unison one with the other to accomplish great tasks. And the lizard, or creeping thing (that is how we get spider), small and insignificant, yet somehow able to make his way into the inner chambers of king’s palaces. No human trained them in their wisdom, yet they know. Agur takes note of these creatures and says to himself, I need to be more like them. I need to be more diligent in the times of plenty to prepare for the times of scarcity (like the ant). I need to realize my limitations and weaknesses and use the available resources around me to guard and protect me. (like the rock badger). I need to work in unity to with others to accomplish great tasks that are far beyond my ability when working alone (like the locust). And, like the creeping thing, I need to entrust myself to the !8 of !27 Lord to take me places far beyond my station in life to be used as He would use me to accomplish what He would have for me to accomplish. Keenly observant, every opportunity was a learning opportunity for Agur - even observing ants, and badgers and lizards and locusts. No wonder he was one of the wise men of his day. No wonder we read his words this many years later. Continuing, Agur gives us four more things in this world that catch his attention and wonder. We read, beginning in verse 29, 29 Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride: 30 the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any; 31 the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king whose army is with him.