Things Wonderful and Things Troublesome
10.16.24
We continue to consider the words of King Agur as written in Proverbs 30. He first took an upward look as he placed his focus on the true and living God, and His Word (1-10).
The King is now taking an outward look as he places his focus on God’s Creation. We considered the first part of this last time (11-17). Today we will find that he observes two opposing groups of things—some wonderful and some troubling (18-23).
First, he tells us of four things that are amazing. There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not know (18). The word translated ‘wonderful’ refers to that which is awesome, something beyond normal human comprehension. Each of these things is an example of God’s marvelous handiwork.
His first example is “the way of an eagle in the air.” An eagle can soar hundreds of feet in the air. This ability is marvelous and perplexing. How much more so would it have been pre-Bernoulli’s Law. Mankind has longed to fly like the birds. It is only in modern times that he has understood the laws of God enough to be able to replicate this feat.
Next is “the way of a serpent upon a rock.” As one man wrote, “The motion of a snake is difficult to understand. Twisting its body one way and yet moving another, the serpentine motion requires mathematical analysis to understand it.” This surely puzzled Agur.
He then speaks of “the way of a ship in the midst of the sea.” As he saw a mighty ship plowing through the sea, no doubt he was asking himself how it was able to sail one direction when the wind was blowing another?
His last example of wonderment is “the way of a man with a maid.” The magnetism that bonds one man with one woman is amazing and incomprehensible. Do you recall when you first fell in love with your spouse?
He adds a jarring contrast to this last example. How can an adulteress turn her back on the wonder of love and commit adultery as easily as she would eat a meal?
This leads Agar to speak of four things that troubled him. For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear (21). Each of these is troublesome because it is unnatural. The earth is pictured as quaking at the sight of the turmoil caused by these events.
His first example is a servant when he gains some authority. He comes into power suddenly, not by gradual ascension. He does not know what to do with his power and he offends everyone. Paul gives such warning to inexperienced men who desire the office of pastor.
His next example, a fool with a full stomach, is very similar. Often those who gain wealth quickly, say in winning the lottery, have no idea what to do with their new-found wealth.
His next puzzlement is a contentious woman who becomes a bride. This refers to a sour old maid who finds a husband. She may give great grief to her former maiden or widowed associates now that she has arrived! This is followed by a similar example—a maid who is heir to her mistress. Rivalry among women can be a sight to see. One needs only to read of Hagar and Sara, or of Jacob’s two sister wives. Oh my!
God is God of order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Things that seem unlikely are probably not for the best. There is simply too much chance that they will cause difficulty.
Next time we will conclude our look at Proverbs 30 as Agur presents to us some interesting members of God’s Creation.