LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 30 THE PUZZLES OF AGUR AND LEMUEL (PROVERBS 30:1 TO PROVERBS 31:9) These passages are by Agur (Proverbs 30) and King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1-9). We do not know anything about these men. The Bible does not mention them elsewhere. But we learn... [ Continue Reading ]
Agur had been studying hard. He had seen many wonderful things that he could not explain. He had tried to understand God. And he had tried to understand the world. But God is so great (1 Corinthians 1:25). And the world is too difficult to explain (Job 38). Now Agur was tired Ecclesiastes 12:12). I... [ Continue Reading ]
Agur wanted someone to teach him. He so wanted to learn about God. Agur’s ideas in this verse are like God’s questions in Job 38. Agur knew that somebody must have created the world. But he did not realise that God created the world. Agur knew that somebody must control the wind and the seas. But... [ Continue Reading ]
Agur wanted someone to teach him. But Agur already knew some things. He knew that God’s word is perfect. And Agur was right. The Bible is perfect. Agur also knew that we must teach the Bible accurately. This is also right. Agur knew that God will punish our evil actions. This is also right. But Ag... [ Continue Reading ]
Agur had a special prayer. But it was a strange prayer. Agur had a particular reason why he did not want to become rich. He thought that he would forget God. But money does not cause people to forget God. Many rich people serve God. And they use their money wisely. They are generous and they help p... [ Continue Reading ]
This is sensible advice. But perhaps Agur was afraid. Agur did not mention that you could apologise. And Agur did not mention that the servant might forgive you. Agur also explained his fears in verses 11-14. Another translation of the second line is: ‘When the servant insults you, then you will su... [ Continue Reading ]
These people do not respect their parents. See Deuteronomy 5:16 and Deuteronomy 27:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Everyone has done evil things. We all must ask God to forgive us. See Romans 3:9-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
God opposes proud people. We should be humble. See James 4:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
These people are murderers. See Deuteronomy 5:17. V15 A leech (animal) has a double tongue that constantly demands blood. There are 3 things that you can never satisfy. 4 things will never say, ‘I have enough.’ These things are: • V16 hell; • a woman who has no children;... [ Continue Reading ]
A leech is a small animal that drinks blood. The leech bites a person. Then the leech holds that person’s skin. Then the leech drinks the person’s blood. The person cannot remove the leech while the leech drinks blood. Some people behave like leeches. These people are always causing trouble. They d... [ Continue Reading ]
See also verse 11. Agur again warns that we must respect our parents. The behaviour of a son who insults his parents is terrible. Agur describes a terrible fate for that son. The son did not respect his parents. And nobody will respect the son, even after his death. Nobody will care enough even to b... [ Continue Reading ]
Agur did not know how these things move. They move smoothly in places where it is difficult to move. And these things leave no trace as they move. So Agur considered that they were great mysteries. • He did not know how a bird flies through the air. • He did not know how a snake could move without... [ Continue Reading ]
Agur heard what this woman said. But Agur knew what she had done. She thought that it did not matter. But God also knew and he will punish this woman. People often act as if their evil deeds are innocent. Often they even manage to confuse their own minds. Their behaviour was evil. But they may actu... [ Continue Reading ]
Each person in this list has suddenly become powerful. But they lack the skills that they need for their new situations. They may become proud. Their characters do not match their new situations. These events may disturb us. We do not expect such events to happen. • The slave does not know how to l... [ Continue Reading ]
Here are 4 types of animals. Each is both small and wise. So we can learn a lesson about wisdom from these animals. • Ants store food for the winter. And we should prepare for the future, too. See Proverbs 6:6-8. • Conies are weak animals. But they still have a home. They live together in small gr... [ Continue Reading ]
These animals are impressive because they are bold. • A lion is very strong. It is bold. And everybody respects a lion. • A mating cock (bird) might not be strong. But the cock is still bold, because it wants to impress a female bird. • A male goat will attack anything. But a goat is not a wise a... [ Continue Reading ]
Agur advised this evil man to say nothing. Mere words cannot save an evil man from his punishment. So Agur told the evil man to put his hand on his mouth. (That is, to be silent.) If the evil man spoke, he would cause more anger. Then the evil man would suffer even more trouble (verse 33).... [ Continue Reading ]