‘Some Loose Ends’
12.18.24
There are three things which go well, yes, four are comely in going, a lion which is strongest among beasts, and turns not away for any; a greyhound; an he-goat also; and a king, against which there is no rising up. (Proverbs 30:29-31)
Today, we plan to conclude our look at Proverbs 30. Penned by King Agur, we find him take an upward look at the greatness of our God (1-9). He then takes an outward look at God’s creation (10-33). Today we will gather the threads of the remaining verses in the chapter.
In our opening text, he gives a list of four things that he finds to be stately. This is referring to their walk, bearing, comportment. In his mind he first sees a lion, the king of beasts, the master of his domain. Next he sees a greyhound, though this is a lost word so could refer to a horse or even a rooster. In any case he is thinking of an animal that walks proudly.
His third animal is a billy goat which butts its way to being the leader. Finally, he sees a king at the head of his army in regal display.
What is his point? Perhaps it is that God’s people ought to evidence outwardly the beauty that God has put in our hearts in Christ. We should display the loveliness of Christian character. After all, we serve the King of Kings! Nothing coarse or degrading should come out of our mouth. We should live in such a way that nothing evil can be said of us.
King Agur also offers four admonitions that are scattered in the chapter. First, he urges us to have respect for the weak (10). Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse you and you be found guilty. Arrogance breeds oppression. A proper fear of the Lord produces respect for the needy. If I am going to make accusations, I had better have good evidence. If the servant is innocent, he will be able to disgrace me.
Second, I should be cognizant of the consequences of arrogance (17). The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. This is no doubt poetical—the rebel will get his reward. The eye is the window of the soul, revealing the innermost thoughts. Arrogance often starts early in life, but has a sad end.
Third, if I have done or thought foolishly, how important it is to stifle my tongue (32). If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth. It is often best to just be quiet. “Better to say nothing at all and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
Last, the forcing of contention can only bring unnecessary strife (33). Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife. The imagery here is of oriental women vigorously wringing milk in a large skin bottle hung from a tripod. They would drain the liquid to produce curds which would then be dried and eaten. The wringing of the nose is self-explanatory. The point of both is that we had best leave well enough alone! Only God can give us wisdom to know when, or when not, to intervene.
What a wonderful chapter, filled with interesting observations from one who viewed the world around him as a gift from our loving Creator.
As always, if we at Immanuel Baptist Church can be of any help to you, please don’t hesitate to call upon us.