INSIGHT FOR LIVING 17
INSIGHT FOR LIVING 17
The greed of the oppressor in Pr 30:14 leads Agur on to give other examples of desires that are never satisfied (CP Pr 30:15-16). The leech is pictured as having two daughters that have an endless capacity for sucking blood - they are both named give. Death and Hell never says "no vacancy" - death never takes a holiday, and Hell never fails to accommodate its victims (CP Pr 27:20; Isa 5:14; Hab 2:5). The barren womb is never willing to accept its sterility - it always craves a child (CP Gen 16:2; 29:31; 30:1-2; 1Sam 1:5-20). The earth always longs for water no matter how much rain falls - it can always absorb more (CP De 28:23-24; 1Ki 18:1-6; Jas 5:18). The fire never says "enough" - it will devour as much fuel as it is fed (CP Mt 3:12; Mk 9:43-49; Jas 3:5; Jude 7). Agur's next Proverb is a warning that whoever treats their parents irreverently will die a violent death and be denied a decent burial (CP Pr 30:17 also V 11; 19:26; 20:20; Ex 21:17; Lev 20:9 with Mk 7:10).
Agur then lists four things that were too wonderful for him to comprehend (CP Pr 30:18-19). How such a large and heavy bird like an eagle can soar through the heavens, a serpent can glide over a rock, a ship can plough through the water, a man has power over a woman - these are incomprehensible. Such is the power of an adulterous woman - she satisfies her lust, then wipes her mouth and disclaims any wrongdoing (CP Pr 30:20 with 5:3-6). Next, Agur lists four disquieting things (CP Pr 30:21-23). A slave who becomes king is overbearing and arrogant, drunk with the power of his new position (CP Pr 19:10; Ecc 10:7). An overfed fool's prosperity makes him more insolent than ever. A hateful woman's wretched disposition mars the joy of marriage. A maid-servant who succeeds her mistress becomes imperious and haughty.
Now Agur turns to four things which are wise out of all proportion to their size (CP Pr 30:24-28). Ants demonstrate foresight (CP also 6:6-8 (see also author's comments on Pr 6:6-11)). Conies (KJV), or rock badgers (NKJV), resemble overgrown guinea pigs. They represent security, shrewdly building their homes among the rocks where they are protected from larger animals (CP Psa 104:18). Locusts or grasshoppers have no leader but band together as one. They always travel with the wind. Spiders are noted for their great flexibility. They make their home even in king's palaces. Agur next draws his teaching to a close with four examples of graceful things with stately bearing (CP Pr 30:29-31). The lion is more majestic than any other beast; the greyhound is exceedingly graceful and fleet (here the NIV interprets greyhound as strutting rooster, as being stately in its stride); the he-goat or ram, is both fierce and majestic as the head of its flock; a king who walks boldly and gracefully among his subjects and against whom there is no hope or rebellion.
Agur closes now with two verses that are strangely unrelated to anything preceding them (CP V 32-33). This can be applied to mean that if feeble man has acted foolishly in lifting himself up or acted stupidly in thinking or planning evil, he should listen to the voice of wisdom and immediately put a stop to it; for otherwise there will be strife - as surely as the churning of milk makes butter, and the wringing of the nose makes it bleed. This completes Agur's Proverbs.
Now let us study King Lemuel's Proverbs, which are contained in Chapter 31. As also noted at the outset of this study it is not known who King Lemuel was and, as with Agur, it is not material to the study to consider him further. V 1-2 affirm that what follows is a prophecy Lemuel's mother taught him. She warns him against a life of dissipation and sensual lust and pleads with him to refrain from the excessive use of wine and strong drink (CP 31:1-5). She sanctions strong drink being given only to him who is about to die, or those living in poverty with heavy hearts, so that they can forget their misery and their needs (CP V 6-7 with Psa 104:15). She admonishes Lemuel to judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy (CP Pr 30:8-9 also 14:21, 31; 16:10; Lev 19:15; Job 29:12-19; Isa 1:17). The king represents God as the defender of the poor and needy.
Lemuel's mother then continues the prophecy with a beautiful description of an excellent wife as defined by a wife and mother (CP Pr 31:10-31). Virtuous in V 10 (KJV), means strong in all moral and mental qualities (CP also 12:4). Ruth is the only woman in Scripture so-called (CP Ruth 3:11). Let us examine some of the characteristics of a virtuous woman highlighted in Pr 30:10-31 in more detail: Firstly she is morally perfect and invaluable (CP V 10). She is trustworthy - her husband has absolute confidence in her faithfulness; she demonstrates impeccable loyalty to her husband and her thrift and industry will add to his wealth. He will be blessed by her tireless industry all the days of her life. Her finest efforts are put forth to help him (CP Pr 30:11-19).
In addition to everything else she does, she finds time to help the needy. She unselfishly shares with those who are less fortunate. She does not dread the onset of winter because there is plenty of warm clothing for her family. Her labours anticipate her family's needs. The efforts she makes to honour others are rewarded for her. She contributes significantly to the advancement of her husband in public honour. With all her other responsibilities faithfully discharged, she also makes articles of clothing to sell. She herself is clothed in strength and honour, displaying Divine wisdom (CP Pr 30:20-26). Her children realise she is an outstanding mother and tell her so. Her husband also praises her as a God-given wife. She excels all other women (CP V 27-29 also 12:4; 18:22 and 19:14 with 1Cor 11:7). The Proverb closes with the declaration that grace of manner is deceitful and beauty of features will fade, but the woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Such a woman needs to be publicly acclaimed and the fruit of her hands rendered to her (CP Pr 30:30-31).
The cultural details of the virtuous woman subject of this prophecy may be different in this present age, but the principles are timeless - they apply to every family. They are set forth as the prayer of every mother for the future wife of her son. This completes this study on the book of Proverbs.
These Studies by Br Val Boyle may be downloaded and freely distributed but not sold for profit.