February 8, 2024

Who Is Agur and What Do His Words Mean?

Proverbs 30

Connor Sampson
Thursday's Devo

February 8, 2024

Thursday's Devo

February 8, 2024

Thursday's Devo

February 8, 2024

Thursday's Devo

February 8, 2024

Big Book Idea

Living wisely—God's way.

Key Verse | Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Proverbs 30

The Words of Agur

1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. 1 30:1 Or Jakeh, the man of Massa

The man declares, I am weary, O God;
    I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 30:1 Revocalization; Hebrew The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal
2  Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
    I have not the understanding of a man.
3  I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4  Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
    Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son's name?
    Surely you know!

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.

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.

10  Do not slander a servant to his master,
    lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.

11  There are those 3 30:11 Hebrew There is a generation; also verses 12, 13, 14 who curse their fathers
    and do not bless their mothers.
12  There are those who are clean in their own eyes
    but are not washed of their filth.
13  There are those—how lofty are their eyes,
    how high their eyelids lift!
14  There are those whose teeth are swords,
    whose fangs are knives,
to devour the poor from off the earth,
    the needy from among mankind.

15  The leech has two daughters:
    Give and Give. 4 30:15 Or Give, give, they cry
Three things are never satisfied;
    four never say, “Enough”:
16  Sheol, the barren womb,
    the land never satisfied with water,
    and the fire that never says, “Enough.”

17  The eye that mocks a father
    and scorns to obey a mother
will be picked out by the ravens of the valley
    and eaten by the vultures.

18  Three things are too wonderful for me;
    four I do not understand:
19  the way of an eagle in the sky,
    the way of a serpent on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
    and the way of a man with a virgin.

20  This is the way of an adulteress:
    she eats and wipes her mouth
    and says, “I have done no wrong.”

21  Under three things the earth trembles;
    under four it cannot bear up:
22  a slave when he becomes king,
    and a fool when he is filled with food;
23  an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
    and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.

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.

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, 5 30:31 Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins the he-goat,
    and a king whose army is with him. 6 30:31 Or against whom there is no rising up

32  If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
    or if you have been devising evil,
    put your hand on your mouth.
33  For pressing milk produces curds,
    pressing the nose produces blood,
    and pressing anger produces strife.

Footnotes

[1] 30:1 Or Jakeh, the man of Massa
[2] 30:1 Revocalization; Hebrew The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal
[3] 30:11 Hebrew There is a generation; also verses 12, 13, 14
[4] 30:15 Or “Give, give,” they cry
[5] 30:31 Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins
[6] 30:31 Or against whom there is no rising up
Table of Contents
Introduction to Proverbs

Introduction to Proverbs

Timeline

Author and Date

Proverbs itself mentions Solomon (reigned c. 971–931 B.C.) as author or collector of its contents (1:1; 10:1), including the proverbs copied by Hezekiah’s men (25:1). There are also two batches of sayings from a group called “the wise” (22:17–24:22; 24:23–34), and “oracles” from Agur (30:1–33) and Lemuel (31:1–9). No author is named for the song in praise of the excellent wife that ends the book (31:10–31). Although Proverbs was begun in the time of Solomon, it probably was not in its present form until the time of Hezekiah (reigned c. 715–686 B.C.).

Theme

The goal of the book is stated right at the beginning (1:1–7): to describe what wisdom is and to help God’s people become wise. Wisdom is founded in the “fear of the Lord,” and it enables believers to express their faith in the practical details of everyday life.

Audience

The book is addressed to a young man. The situations he will face while he is young receive much attention. These situations supply concrete examples from which all readers can apply lessons to their own lives. Anyone who is wise and who pays attention will benefit (1:5) from this instruction.

Reading Proverbs

The reader of Proverbs must seek to understand the various types of people the book describes. The most obvious characters in the book are the wise, the fool, and the simple. Proverbs urges its readers to be wise, which means embracing God’s covenant and living out the covenant in everyday situations (compare 2:2; 10:1). The fool is the person who constantly opposes God’s covenant (1:7b). The simple is the person who is not firmly committed, either to wisdom or to folly; he is easily misled (14:15).

The first nine chapters of Proverbs are “wisdom poems” that urge the reader to pursue wisdom. The main section of Proverbs—the concise, memorable statements of two or three lines—begins in 10:1. Proverbs often seem to be mere observations about life, but their deeper meanings will reveal themselves if the following questions are kept in mind: (1) What virtue does this proverb commend? (2) What vice does it disapprove of? (3) What value does it affirm?

Key Themes

Proverbs offers wisdom on a wide array of topics from daily life: diligence and laziness (6:6–11); friendship (3:27–28; 18:24); speech (10:19–21); marriage (18:22; 19:14); child rearing (22:6); domestic peace (15:17; 17:1); work (11:1); getting along and good manners (23:1–2; 25:16–17; 26:17–19; 27:14); eternity (14:32; 23:17–18); and much more. It shows that “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).

  1. God’s will is intensely practical, applying to every aspect of life. A proper relation to God involves trying hard to understand his truth, and then embracing and obeying that truth.
  2. A life lived by God’s will is a happy life (3:21–26).
  3. A life lived by God’s will is a useful life (3:27–28; 12:18, 25).
  4. A life lived by God’s will does not just happen. One must seek after it (9:1–6).

Outline

  1. Title, Goal, and Motto (1:1–7)
  2. A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom (1:8–9:18)
  3. Proverbs of Solomon (10:1–22:16)
  4. The Thirty Sayings of “the Wise” (22:17–24:22)
  5. Further Sayings of “the Wise” (24:23–34)
  6. Hezekiah’s Collection of Solomonic Proverbs (25:1–29:27)
  7. The Sayings of Agur (30:1–33)
  8. The Sayings of King Lemuel (31:1–9)
  9. An Alphabet of Womanly Excellence (31:10–31)
The Global Message of Proverbs

The Global Message of Proverbs

Proverbs: Wisdom for the World

The book of Proverbs is not simply a collection of “wise sayings” for life. It is heaven-sent help for stumbling sinners all over the world from every walk of life who are willing to listen to something other than their own fallen instincts. The “fool” in Proverbs is not someone who lacks intellectual capacity but one who stubbornly lives out of his own fallen intuitions, resisting instruction and correction. Likewise, the wise person in Proverbs is not someone who is intellectually superior but someone who humbly places himself beneath the authority of God. Such wisdom is for all God’s people everywhere.

In his great mercy God has clearly shown wisdom to the world—both through the instruction of his Word and in the person of his Son. The book of Proverbs summarizes true wisdom as rooted in the “fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:7). In Jesus such wisdom takes on new clarity and glory as the one who is the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24) and who “became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30). God’s global people are to receive such wise instruction, to base their wise living in the fear and worship of God, and to testify to a lost world about God’s saving wisdom.

God’s Wisdom Is Theological and Practical

In one sense wisdom is very much universal. It is difficult to find a culture or tradition without its own legacy of wise sayings. Some of these are culture-specific; others reflect the shared human experience.

Scripture’s admonition and exhortation about wisdom, however, is clear. Our faith is not to rest on man’s wisdom but is to be rooted in God’s power (1 Cor. 2:5). The wisdom of this world is “folly with God” (1 Cor. 3:19). Ultimate wisdom is from God (1 Cor. 1:30) and is revealed by God (1 Cor. 2:7). True wisdom is theological and God-given. Those who lack wisdom are to “ask God” for it (James 1:5). It is the Lord who gives wisdom (Prov. 2:6). In Proverbs 9:10 God’s people are reminded again that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (compare 1:7). True wisdom is not the handy tips for life that get handed down from generation to generation among those who do not know God. True wisdom is divine. It is rooted in God’s own saving revelation to his people.

God’s wisdom is not only theological; it is also practical. Indeed, wisdom is practical because it is theological. Theology impacts daily life, and this is clearly seen in the instruction of Proverbs. Everyday life issues are addressed, including parental relations (Prov. 10:1; 15:20; 19:26; 23:25), marriage (5:18; 12:4; 18:22; 19:13–14; 31:10), money (3:9; 10:4; 11:1; 15:16; 16:11), and the power and danger of words (4:5; 7:5; 10:19; 16:24; 17:27). These are life issues that affect people of every age and place. Proverbs provides a picture of both the blessed life grounded in the fear of the Lord and the danger-filled and foolish life of those who despise the Lord’s wisdom and instruction (1:7).

God’s Wisdom Is Individual and Global

Individual wisdom. For every person, in every place, in every time, the message of Proverbs rings true: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). Wisdom from above is not mere advice or pithy sayings. Rather, the worthiest and most blessed advice flows from God, when he has his proper central place in the heart and worship of each individual created by his hand and in his image.

Global wisdom. The message of Proverbs is also global. This is true, first, because only God’s wisdom comprehensively instructs and skillfully dissects with perfect insight the hearts of mankind from every place and for every time. God’s wisdom is global, second, in that God’s global people are called to global engagement and a global mission. The Lord is not a tribal god. The teaching of Proverbs is not tribal lore. God’s wisdom is eternal and global. And God’s people are called to be instruments, through word and deed, of teaching his wisdom to the world. Those who are wise in God represent God to the world. For example, the wise exhibit generosity to the poor and the needy (Prov. 14:21, 31). The wise in God speak enduring and reliable wisdom to a world desperately looking for life-giving counsel. The wise in God feed even their own enemies (25:21).

Taking God’s Saving Wisdom to the World

In the book of Proverbs the Lord has equipped his people to fulfill his global and eternal purposes. God’s purpose is to reveal himself to and then through a people who will bring eternal blessing to the world, and that purpose is still unfolding around the world today (Matt. 28:18–20). In his kindness God has made known both the path of the wicked (Prov. 4:14) and the path of righteousness (12:28). The one leads to destruction and the other to life (11:19).

When love and grace is observed by the world in the lives of God’s people and supremely in the cross of Christ, it is indeed “folly” to them (1 Cor. 1:18, 21). But “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:25). The wise in God share the good news of the wisdom of God in the gospel of Christ with nations both near and far. Such sharing, when it lands on receptive ears, is “like cold water to a thirsty soul” (Prov. 25:25).In grace God is opening blind eyes through the gospel to his glorious wisdom. In grace he has shown us and empowered us toward a life of God-honoring, upright living. In grace he will use us as his global ambassadors till the day we join in the angelic choir proclaiming, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Rev. 7:12).

Job Fact #9: Proverbs in Job

Fact: Proverbs in Job

Proverbs in Job. In 17:5, Job may have been quoting a proverb to warn his friends not to make false accusations against him. Proverbs are an effective and memorable way of stating a truth. The book of Proverbs is a rich resource of such wisdom.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Proverbs Fact #4: Garlands

Fact: Garlands

Garlands were wreaths woven from leaves and flowers. They were worn around the head or neck during various celebrations such as weddings. They were also symbols of honor for military success. In Proverbs, they symbolize the honor that comes from following the way of wisdom (4:9).

Proverbs Fact #7: The simple person

Fact: The simple person

The simple person (7:7) is one of the primary character types described in the book of Proverbs. The term describes someone who is immature and easily misled (14:15).

Proverbs Fact #10: A different kind of security

Fact: A different kind of security

A different kind of security. In biblical times, if a person was unable to pay his debt, the consequences could be serious. The whole family could be sold into slavery. If someone put up “security” for another person, he promised to pay that person’s debt if he was unable to do so himself. Proverbs teaches that putting up security for another person is generally unwise, since those who do so risk losing everything if the other person cannot pay his debt (11:15).

Proverbs Fact #27: Gluttony

Fact: Gluttony

Gluttony refers to excessive eating. The Bible condemns gluttony as well as drunkenness. Proverbs teaches that eating and drinking in excess can lead to poverty (23:19–21).

Proverbs Fact #28: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs

Fact: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs

Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs. Although most of the Proverbs were collected or written by King Solomon, who reigned from 971–931 B.C., the book of Proverbs did not exist in its present form until the time of King Hezekiah, some 200 years later. Hezekiah and “his men,” probably his scribes, recorded chs. 25–29.

Proverbs Fact #29: Rock badgers

Fact: Rock badgers

Rock badgers are small cliff-dwelling animals closely resembling guinea pigs. They live and forage for food in large groups and are good at hiding. They are best known for posting sentries that alert the group when danger is near. Perhaps it was this mark of wisdom that earned them a mention in Proverbs (30:26).

Proverbs Fact #6: Ants

Fact: Ants

Despite their small size, ants are a picture of wisdom and initiative (6:6–8; 30:25). Ant colonies can reach populations of more than half a million, and will work tirelessly during the harvest season to store food for the winter.

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

Romans 3 OT Reference
Sinful Condition
v. 10, none is righteous Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20
v. 11a, no one understands Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 11b, no one seeks for God Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one Ps. 14:3/53:3
Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips)
v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9)
v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips Ps. 140:3
v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness Ps. 10:7
Sinful Action
v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7
v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery Isa. 59:7
v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known Isa. 59:8
Summary Statement
v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes Ps. 36:1
Study Notes

Prov. 30:2–6 I am too stupid to be a man. Wisdom texts often begin with a teacher proclaiming that he is wise and so his words ought to be obeyed. Here, Agur does just the opposite: he confesses that he is not learned in wisdom (vv. 2–3). Agur then asks a series of rhetorical questions to show the limitations on human understanding and achievement (v. 4). Like the questions of God in Job 38–39, these questions point to things that only God can do. Silent reverence is the only proper human response (Prov. 30:6). The whole of vv. 2–6 teaches that human wisdom is limited, that the wisest people recognize their ignorance, that truth resides in the word of God, and that no one should think he is able to improve upon the wisdom that God has given.

Prov. 30:5–6 Every word of God proves true (compare 2 Sam. 22:31). God’s words are a proven foundation for one’s life. The proverb’s emphasis on every “word” underscores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Bible, not just in its overall message but also in every detail.

Study Notes

Prov. 30:7–9 This is the only prayer in Proverbs. Agur asks for two things. The first request (remove far from me falsehood and lying) probably implies both that he does not want to become a liar and that he does not want to have people lie to him. The second request (give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me) expresses caution about trusting in wealth.

Study Notes

Prov. 30:15 The leech has two daughters, both named Give. The saying probably alludes to the two suckers on a leech’s body. It may have been a common way to describe a selfish or demanding person.

Study Notes

Prov. 30:17 This is actually a curse. Agur obviously regards respect for parents as supremely important (see v. 11).

Study Notes

Prov. 30:18–19 The eagle, the serpent, and the ship leave no trail. The relationship of a man and a virgin, if it is chaste, likewise leaves no observable change.

Study Notes

Prov. 30:21–23 These four persons are unbearable because they have been given things they have no capacity to handle wisely. A modern example would be a person promoted above his ability level.

Study Notes
Proverbs Fact #6: Ants

Fact: Ants

Despite their small size, ants are a picture of wisdom and initiative (6:6–8; 30:25). Ant colonies can reach populations of more than half a million, and will work tirelessly during the harvest season to store food for the winter.

Study Notes

Prov. 30:29–31 The king is the main point here; the animals serve as comparisons. The lesson is that a king’s majesty is in his subjects (see 14:28).

Study Notes

Prov. 30:1–33 The Sayings of Agur. The identity of Agur, son of Jakeh, is unknown. One claim is that the word translated oracle actually should be the proper name “Massa,” so that v. 1 would read, “Agur son of Jakeh, the man of Massa” (see ESV footnote). If so, then it might refer to a tribe in northwest Arabia, and Agur could have been a Gentile.

S3:029 Proverbs 30

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 30

Up to this point in Proverbs, we've seen Solomon provide us with the godly advice needed to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. As we turn to chapter 30, we see "Agur son of Jakeh" take over for Solomon. Who is the new guy? Though little is known about Agur, he brings a big message through poetic wisdom to his audience.

Simply put, Agur's message is that God's guidance for us through His Word is without fault. Although humanity often distorts God's Word and relies upon its own wisdom, the Lord alone holds all knowledge in His hands. With this theme in mind, we see in Proverbs 30:7-9 that Agur requests the Lord to remove lies, poverty, and riches from his life, "lest I be full and deny you." It's worth noting that we see Jesus say something similar in the Sermon on the Mount when He announces, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6) Both Agur and Jesus realized our need to be filled with what is righteous and holy. If we don't completely depend upon God alone, we will look for fulfillment in the wrong places.

Additionally, Agur points out that there are those of this world who don't hold the same convictions and don't align with God's commandments. They are described in Proverbs 30:12 as, "clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth." As followers of Jesus, we find hope in God not only cleansing us of our filth, but going so much further. Paul informs us, "[Jesus] has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him," (Colossians 1:22). When we find ourselves not lining up with God's commandments, God still sees us through the lens of Christ. What an amazing blessing!

Though Agur's spotlight in the Bible ends here, his guidance to take refuge in God alone and seek truth from, but not add anything to, God's timeless and perfect Word, are lessons we can all benefit from.

This month's memory verse

Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

– Exodus 34:6b

Discussion Questions

1. Where in life do you find it easiest to misconstrue God's Word in order to justify your own sin?

2. Reread Proverbs 30:8 in a prayerful manner. On a scale of 1-10, how easy do you find it to ask God for this kind of mindset of "neither poverty nor riches"? Why or why not?

3. Jesus sets us free, and we ought to feel that way! Is there anything specific that keeps you from believing the good news that your sins have already been completely washed away by Jesus when you trust in Him for salvation?

4. What areas in life do you find it easiest to exalt yourself? (e.g., work, finances, friends, etc.)

5. As we near the end of Proverbs, you've read quite a few nuggets of God's wisdom that He would like you to act upon. Were there any verses that stood out in Proverbs 30? If so, how can they be applied to your life today?

Respond to Today's Passage

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MS

Michael Scaman

One view is Agur the collector is Solomon and Jakeb the obedient one is David. Just a theory but perhaps Proverbs 30 is a way of drawing to an ending. EIther way a wise 'son of' becomes broken and humbled compared to the 'Son of God.' Solomon has presented his book, a collection of wisdom and makes some surprising statements concluding it. In the solemnity of his court, Solomon, wearied and broken, unveils his inner struggles. He admits to feeling simultaneously smart and stupid, donning the mask of "Agur, the collector, son of Jakeh, the obedient one." Despite being a collector of wisdom from observations and nature, he acknowledges his inadequacy in comparison to the divine wisdom promised to his father, David and David's status being like Gods son with a son of God to follow in his dynasty. Solomon's court is taken back when Solomon says 3 times he is tired and 3 more times he is stupid. He cannot fill the shoes of his father David, but points to God and God's Son. In the spirit of Psalm 102 (A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.) he is crushed but looks to God's reign pointing to Christ.. The wise Solomon asks 6 questions about who God is, who God's son is and what's His name. Having presented the wisdom of Solomon, he points to God's wisdom and words as true. Like Job he has ended his opus of wisdom with questions and acknowliedging his limitations. Then from a position of humility, Solomon shares profound reflections from his collections and groupings of wisdom sayings in Proverbs 30, portraying a humble surrender to the limitations of human wisdom. His prayer for truth, moderation, and a heart free from deceit encapsulates a poignant plea. The subsequent verses vividly depict the pitfalls of arrogance, selfishness, and unwise elevation, concluding with a warning against the consequences of foolish actions. Solomon marvels at the wisdom in seemingly insignificant creatures and emphasizes the majesty of a king lies in the loyalty of his subjects. The closing advice advocates humility, urging one to restrain self-exaltation, for unchecked actions breed strife. In this concise revelation, Solomon walks out. His court minutes later walk out witout saying a word. It is God's Son who it is said 'the government shall rest upon his shoulders", Solomon will leave his kingdom split.
MS

Michael Sisson

Re: Pr 30:29-31 It is worth noting as more than coincidental these three verses tie together a series of types with a common antecedent: Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). Pr 30:29-31 (NASB) There are three things which are stately in their march, Even four which are stately when they walk: >>>The lion<<< which is mighty among beasts And does not retreat before any, (See Rev 5:5) >>>The strutting rooster<<< (See Jn 13:38) >>>the male goat<<< also, (See Heb 9:12) And >>>a king when his army is with him.<<< (See Jn 18:36; Mt 26:53)
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Comments and random musings- Proverbs 30 in two parts Part 1 What I see in this passage is the dichotomy between how I behave and how animals behave. God gave me a greater brain and abilities but I insist on doing my own will rather than His. Even the ants, rock badgers, locusts and lizards know better than I do how to follow God’s natural order. It took me a long, long time to embrace the fact that God had a plan for me and that it was different than the one I had, (Jer 29:11). As a boy I wanted to play pro baseball. I had enough ability (and ego) to think I could do it but not enough for it to happen. When I could no longer play, I saw myself taking any number of other paths; all of which glorified me. But God had other plans. He gave me everything I needed, (Ps 23), but not a lot of what I wanted. Thank God. I still have many, many struggles but I take great comfort in the fact that God has a plan. He loves me and wants the best for me. My calling is simply to surrender to Him, seek His face, pray to know His will & plan for my life. Today my prayer is one of gratitude for the patience of God - - “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) ——————— Part 2 Proverbs 30 via 1 John 2:15-17 How do I orient towards the world and all its temptations? They are so bright and shiny. 1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Sin will never be satisfied. Genesis 4:6-7 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?[b] And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to[c] you, but you must rule over it.” And I’ll never be able to hide it- Numbers 32:23 “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. ——————————- Agur offers his thoughts- 15 The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”: 16 Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.” ———————————— Is salvation an event or a process? There is an old saying in AA: one drink is too many and 1,000 is not enough. Sin is exactly like this. I’m not saying drinking is a sin. What I’m acknowledging is that alcohol as a coping mechanism is just as empty as all the others. Another old saying - “Alcohol is not my problem. It’s my solution”. There is no amount of alcohol or any other coping mechanism that is a solution for any lasting period. ————————————— One of the many wonderful teachings for me is this truth- “Jesus is the only heathy coping mechanism”. Not only do I agree with this truth. I do so emphatically and with 4 decades of empirical evidence.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

On salvation as an event or a process- The event The process The problem My journey- The event- Sin is a runaway freight train headed for the bridge over the canyon. But the bridge is out. The “event” for me was finally waking up to see that the bridge was indeed out. Not wanting to crash into the canyon again. I jump off the train. The process- enabling the reality that I’m living out the movie Groundhog Day. I blow myself up over and over. And then wake up the next day to do it again. (Hilarious movie. Worth watching if you haven’t). https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day_(film) The problem- I can’t fully see the oncoming crash or the solution to jump off the train unless the Holy Spirit enables me to do both. This is the very, very sad part. I have had countless meetings with participants in Prodigal, re:gen, and abortion recovery who clearly state that they are going to get on that train again next time. Mainly because they don’t see themselves as having any alternatives. Hence the link to Groundhog Day. ———————————— In a recent teaching at the Eden Project I learned about this short piece from Thomas Chalmers based on 1 John 2:15-17. Taking license- I see him articulating the truth that the only coping mechanism is “A New Affection”. THE EXPULSIVE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION By Thomas Chalmers “THERE are two ways in which a practical moralist may attempt to displace from the human heart its love of the world - either by a demonstration of the world's vanity, so as that the heart shall be prevailed upon simply to withdraw its regards from an object that is not worthy of it; or, by setting forth another object, even God, as more worthy of its attachment, so as that the heart shall be prevailed upon not to resign an old affection, which shall have nothing to succeed it, but to exchange an old affection for a new one.” John Piper comments with a link to the full message from Chalmers https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-expulsive-power-of-a-new-affection The land is never satisfied with water. The fire never says enough. But Jesus teaches me, “it is finished”.
GJ

greg jones

Morning Conner, gig-em. Interesting choice tying Proverbs 30:12 and Colossians 1:22 together. I probably would have highlighted the word if that Colossians 1:23 starts with and associated the person who doesn’t follow through as the one who is "clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth." “if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Colossians 1:23 In Colossians Paul doesn’t make any mentions of Gentile and Jewish practice conflicts. He does later mention a conflict with certain philosophies of the day. So Colossians is very Gentile oriented book. There is a similar if statement in the book of Hebrews. The if statement has a very Jewish orientation there. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:26-29 Shaming was a big part of the first century culture that the NT was written in so I actually like that the deeper dive sort of leaves out, or reads around, that part of the Word and nuances the literal interpretation. Great dive this morning.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thanks, Connor. You clearly spent a lot of time thinking through this chapter and how it connects to the New Testament. I came to a hard stop on the questions in verse 4, especially this one: "Who has gathered the wind in his fists?" They echo God's beautiful questions in Job 38-41, so I'm wondering if the same God who asked the God-questions of Job was thinking of this verse when He stilled the storm in the boat. Did He lift up His outstretched hand as He calmly ordered, "Hush! Be still!" to gather the wind in His fist? Yet another video I hope to see in heaven . . .
AL

Amy Lowther

1. None, because God seems to be like a parent. He always knows things even when you think he doesn’t. 2. 10, because God should help everyone. When people need help, believers who see them should direct God to them so He can help where possible. 3. No. 4. I exalt myself when learning about God and Jesus so I learn as much as possible. 5. I like verse 5 of Proverbs 30. It says, “Every word of God proves true, he is a shield to those who take refuge in him”. The verse reminds me God is valuable and God is helpful. Connor - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You made an excellent point in saying. “Although humanity often distorts God's Word and relies upon its own wisdom, the Lord alone holds all knowledge in His hands”. The Lord is definitely all-knowing, understanding, and loves each of us unconditionally.