Proverbs 30:15-16

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 desire many things. So they try to obtain other people’s possessions. And, like the leeches, such people make constant demands.

Agur used several lists in this chapter. The numbers at the start of each list are a type of poetry. These numbers are not important.

This is a list of things that make constant demands, like the leech:

• Hell is never full. This is because hell is always claiming more lives. We must tell people about God. If they invite God into their lives, God will protect them from hell’s punishment.

• A woman who has no children always wants children. This is sad. But perhaps she can adopt a child. And perhaps she would like to help with children’s activities at church. She has no children, but she can love other people’s children. And we can encourage her.

• The soil always needs more rain. Solomon lived in a dry country. Without rain, there would be no harvest.

• Fire always tries to burn more things. You must control fire carefully. Otherwise, it will burn your possessions and your home.

v17 If a son insults his parents, he deserves to die.

His dead body does not deserve a proper grave.

Vultures and ravens (birds) will eat his body.