#938 Ecclesiastes 1 Spinning Orbs

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,

vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

3 What does man gain by all the toil

at which he toils under the sun?

4 A generation goes, and a generation comes,

but the earth remains forever.

5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down,

and hastens to the place where it rises.

6 The wind blows to the south

and goes around to the north;

around and around goes the wind,

and on its circuits the wind returns.

7 All streams run to the sea,

but the sea is not full;

to the place where the streams flow,

there they flow again.

8 All things are full of weariness;

a man cannot utter it;

the eye is not satisfied with seeing,

nor the ear filled with hearing.

9 What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done,

and there is nothing new under the sun.

10 Is there a thing of which it is said,

“See, this is new”?

It has been already

in the ages before us.

11 There is no remembrance of former things,

nor will there be any remembrance

of later things yet to be

among those who come after.

The Vanity of Wisdom

12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,

and what is lacking cannot be counted.

16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

18 For in much wisdom is much vexation,

and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1 ESV

Ecclesiastes 1

A book of philosophy, an apologetic looking at life without regard to Revelation or Eternity. Many have pondered these questions, observations about life, and this book always reminds me of the late Ravi Zacharias. 

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. I believe this to be written by Solomon, and there are parts which correlate well to both his wisdom and his folly.

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity - He takes upon himself the cold statement of observation, of this life being all there is, no God, no eternity, just this life without outside revelation. What is the meaning of  such a life? Men strive at many things to establish meaning, legacy and value.

What does a man gain by all the toil - The memories of others? Those can be strange and quite indifferent to the truth. Nature demands we do something, she burns calories, dehydrates, freezes in the cold, and the stomach can only go so long without food. Either we work hard, or find someone else to work for us, if we want to live.

…35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it. 36 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?… Mark 8: 35-37

4-7 A generation goes, the sun rises and the wind blows - Everyone can see and observe these things in their time under the sun. The earth remains though generations of people have past. We know now from advances in science that the earth orbits the sun and spins on it's axis, but with the eye we observe and say, "sunrise and sunset." The streams flow, and the sea is not full, the water evaporates and continues the cycle. 

8-11 All things are full of weariness - The eye is always looking, but this does not guarantee perception. The ear hears even when it doesn't want to, but this does not guarantee understanding. There is nothing new under the sun, though technology increase, we are only learning more about what was already here, based upon the principles that existed all along. As soon as something is new to us it is also very close to being outdated. We not only forget former things, but though we excel in industry, we cannot remember how to live without technology. It has been done and done well by others in the past, but it is lost art to us. We cannot learn from what we have discarded, and we refuse to learn from history, but we also cannot learn from what is left unrecorded.

“What is the difference between a squirrel in a cage who only makes his prison go round the faster by his swift race, and the man who lives toilsome days for transitory objects which he may never attain?” (Maclaren)

12-14 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out - He asked God for wisdom to lead as king, and He had available to him, the wisdom that comes from God through Scripture, and that which is limited to observation of all that goes on under the sun. Ecclesiastes applies an earthly wisdom, and with that Solomon has sought the meaning and purpose of life or that in the acquisition of such knowledge and wisdom, such is the purpose. 

“The two words are not synonymous. The former verb implies penetrating into the depth of an object before one; the other word taking a comprehensive survey of matters further away; so that two methods and scopes of investigation are signified.” (Deane)

“All that is done under heaven shows that the total resources of a limited world-view are the object of study; the vertical aspect is not yet in view.” (Eaton)

What is crooked cannot be made straight - What is lacking cannot be accounted for either. In all of man's searching he cannot find everything on his own. There is within every template of trained thought, every discipline of science, something yet fully understood. What men have been certain of in the past can be destroyed in a day. Many models have been rejected for being proved wrong, but some have been held to by a pseudo faith, because those that believe liked what they believed. There is no fixing some things; they are perverse and cannot be made true. 

16-18 I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly - He looked at nature and then turned to look inside himself. Set aside the moral law, without God's revelation, and chase madness, run after folly. I looked for answers when I was young, in cow pastures where blue ringers grew, LSD, meth, cocaine. I searched the bottom of many a bottle, and found heartache and sorrow, dependency and rage. We chased women like game, but it never filled, adrenaline, but woke up bored the next day. The more he knows the more vexing. The more he experiences, the more he sees, the more sad he becomes.

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#937 Proverbs 31: 10-31 Words of a Virtuous Queen Part 2

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?

What are you doing, son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to take strong drink,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress;

7 let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

8 Open your mouth for the mute,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10  An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from afar.

15 She rises while it is yet night

and provides food for her household

and portions for her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She dresses herself with strength

and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes bed coverings for herself;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates

when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them;

she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31 ESV

Proverbs 31: 10-31

In the first nine verses of Proverbs 31, the mother gives instruction to her son on how to be a truly great king. It is a lesson in the preservation of integrity. She warns him of the loss of such through promiscuous behavior, giving his strength to women and drink, like Samson did with Delilah, David with Bathsheba, and Solomon with so many ungodly women. She teaches him of honor and just dealings for the poor and needy. Now in the final verses she will tell him what a wise man looks for in a wife.

The 22 verses (Proverbs 31:10-31) each begin with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This acrostic construction was used in several psalms (such as Psalms 9-10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145 and Lamentations 4). The purpose was to make the passage memorable (easier to memorize), and to express poetic skill. This is, “An Alphabet of Wifely Excellence” (Kidner)

10 An excellent wife, who can find - Some translate excellent as virtuous, and the same Hebrew words giving the sense of strength, valor, might, and this being in Proverbs, wisdom that comes from the fear of the Lord. This is a list for all godly young men seeking a wife, made easy to memorize, and for all young ladies aspiring to be godly women. Who can find? Like wisdom, she is more rare, more precious than jewels. 

11-12 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain - Because she is wise and honorable, he need not worry about the state of his affairs. She is not working against him, but with him, so not only is his house in order, but it is also profitable. This trust is not blind as they say of love, but she is proven of character. She is his confidant and wise counselor. The virtuous woman is the contrast of the contentious wife of earlier Proverbs; she is not an egotist, not a complainer, but rather a good steward, ever growing in the fear of God. She will improve with age.

“Her commitment to her husband’s well being is true, not false; constant, not temperamental; reliable, not fickle.” (Waltke)

13 She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands - She recognizes a family need, and she has a talent for making clothes. It is a willing effort, not begrudging. This is not a blanket example that all women should make their clothes from scratch; this may and does look quite different in our age. What is more remarkable is that this is from the mouth of a queen, and she does not see working with one's hands as beneath her, but rather a badge of honor. Whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God, and it should be our delight to meet the needs of others.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant - She goes out of her way to find what's good for her family, price and quality. There were no cars, trains, or buses back then, so to travel would be a labor of love. Since she is diligent it is also scheduled, and as merchants she would know the season for what she seeks in advance. 

15 She rises while it is yet night - If she is going afar the next day, then she will not let her absence cripple the affairs of the house. One of the best ways to judge a manager is that her crew does not need her presence to be efficient. She provides portions, and this, from her position as a leader, should include not only food but delegation. It is a wise leader that provides for her staff's physical needs and the direction and expectation that will help them succeed while she is away. 

16-19 She considers a field and buys it - From the work of her hands, knowledge of trade, she has bought her materials wisely, and the clothing she produces is profitable. Her eye is always looking forward, and with her earnings she buys a field to add yet another dimension of diversity in her families portfolio. Her money is reinvested into what she loves, her family, and with what she has left over she purchases the vines, plants the field.

20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy - She is able to teach her son about the poor, because she has not avoided them herself. This is a woman of compassion. She is not demanding that someone else do something about this, but demonstrating what ought to be done.

. Her hard work was not only for her own needs and the needs of her family; she also worked to help the poor and the needy. “This was the hand that was diligently at work in the previous verse with an acquired skill; it is not the hand of a lazy, wealthy woman. She uses her industry in charitable ways.” (Ross)

21-22 She is not afraid of snow for her household - They are prepared, wool in winter, linen in summer. Charity begins at home, and once the needs of her house are met she is then free to help others.

23 Her husband is known in the gates - He is considered wise in his choice of women, and blessed to have such a wife. Other proverbs have shown the contrast of having an angry wife, that it is better to dwell in the corner of a roof top alone. Marriage is where two become one, and so elders, pastors and deacons are always vetted not solely on their words and doctrine, but also on the state of their family. He is great because she is great. He is esteemed because his wife is a woman worthy of esteem.

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3: 1-7

24 This gives more insight into her industrious nature. She knows the tradesmen, has shown the quality of her work and made arrangements with sellers.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing - She is physically strong from her work, but also mentally strong from it, both the knowledge and relationships obtained.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom - It is a blessing to be married to her, her child, her employee, her friend, for her advice is good, and her practice is it's testimony. She is a teacher and that of kindness. This woman does not need to raise her voice, for she is dignified, calm and able to get her point across with compassion. The law of kindness is to love thy neighbor as thy self. 

“This is the most distinguishing excellence of this woman. There are very few of those who are called managing women who are not lords over their husbands, tyrants over their servants, and insolent among their neighbours. But this woman, with all her eminence and excellence, was of a meek and quiet spirit. Blessed woman!” (Clarke)

27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness - She is the guard of the home, recognizing where there is work to be done, doing or arranging. She knows her children and their affairs, teaches them right and good, protects them from wrong, or those that would lead them astray.

28-29 Her children rise up and call her blessed - This is her great reward, that she has raised them well, and they, that are most close to her, must acknowledge her integrity. She is admired, and rightly so, this is not mere ritual, but the fruit of a great reality. For her husband, though a man well traveled and versed, he has found no one that compares to her.

30-31 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain - There are those that play the game, and men that fall for all that is painted upon the outside, but she has taken care of the weightier things, the fear of God and the love of her family.

More in-depth look with JMac

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#936 Proverbs 31: 1-9 Word's of a Wise Queen Part 1

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?

What are you doing, son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to take strong drink,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress;

7 let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

8 Open your mouth for the mute,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10  An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from afar.

15 She rises while it is yet night

and provides food for her household

and portions for her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She dresses herself with strength

and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes bed coverings for herself;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates

when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them;

she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31 ESV

Proverbs 31

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him - Some Jewish writers believe King Lemuel to be another name for Solomon. The name in Hebrew means "belonging to or for God", but it does not occur in any of the lists of kings in either Israel or Judah. Others believe him to be a king of Massa (name of a descendant of Ishmael), and the name of a northern Arabian nation. Given the captivities and differences in writing styles, it is also possible that he was a prince of a king in Babylon, whose mother only or father also had come to know the Hebrew God. I don't think who he is exactly is important to the content, but that he is a king and his mother would be the wife of a king prior, this makes much of what follows quite fascinating. We picture most queens or women of prominence as those devoted to a life of luxury and leisure, but the woman that Lemuel's mother describes and wants him to seek is quite extraordinary. 

…29 These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, 31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.… 1 Chronicles 1: 29-31

What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? - Son standing before me, that I am teaching and talking to, that came out of me (womb), and was sought by me, requested with a vow to the Lord (before he was conceived). A very tender opening from a mother to son. Such instruction and requests have been made by both fathers and mothers.

…8 So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever. 9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 10 Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”… 1 Chronicles 28: 8-10

…26“Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 27 I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, 28 I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.… 1 Samuel 1: 26-28

Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings - You can see why some would suppose this to be about Solomon, for this was a huge distraction in his life. He ignored the law written to kings that expressly tells them not to take many wives, as did his father. Bathsheba would know all too well the pain that follows from this. Fornicators are like other other addicts; they live for the hunt, to conquer, but give up obedience to God for an idol. They take more of what ends up being less. You cannot be one if you are divided, and you have not that fruit of the Spirit, of self control, which is a good fruit for any, but especially those that lead.

“Obsession with such women corrupts the king’s sovereign power…. David’s lust for Bathsheba made him callous toward justice and cost Uriah his life, and Solomon’s many sexual partners made him callous toward pure and undefiled religion and incapable of real love. In other words, obsession with women has the effect as obsession with liquor.” (Waltke)

4-7 It is not for kings, O Lemuel - Her wisdom to her son is only as good as his ability to walk in it. As a kid, I remember my uncle always having a beer in his hand, and a case beside his chair; his intent was to never be sober. Lemuel's mother is saying, this is not for kings, not for those who rule, who need to make sound decisions, whose decisions are also law. Imagine what you have access to now, and then picture a king. He could have the finest wines and liquors, and as much as men offer to a friend, imagine what they would bring a king. Everyone wants to be friends with the king, and everyone wants the king to participate in their cheer. Alcohol relaxes the guard, and men can use this in their approach as well. The kissing up, compliments, some are so easily intoxicated by these alone that they need no help from drink. Oh Lemuel, too much is riding on this; don't become the fool, don't let the drink mock you.

“The Carthagenians made a law that no magistrate of theirs should drink wine. The Persians permitted their kings to be drunk one day in a year only. Solon made a law at Athens that drunkenness in a prince should be punished with death. See Ecclesiastes 10:16-17.” (Trapp)

Lest they drink and forget what has been decreed - For Israel's kings there was a law specifically unto kings. There was also the general law which applied to them as well, all the books of Moses, that they should be daily reading, reasoning and understanding. They would need a clear head for reason and integrity, to take the law and apply it justly in every situation, regardless of the person's station. There are enough perversions of justice made by the sober, drunkenness only adds more fuel to the flame.

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing - Like medicine, this is a compassionate example; they are dying and or in much pain. 

“We have already seen, that inebriating drinks were mercifully given to condemned criminals, to render them less sensible of the torture they endured in dying. This is what was offered to our Lord; but he refused it.” (Clarke)

And wine to those in bitter distress - This will not resolve their poverty; it is not a cure for that and has caused many to fall much deeper in debt. Their is still a need for moderation even here or the condition will worsen. Paul directed Timothy to take some wine for his stomach (anxiety), a little though, for inebriation would not be fitting in a shepherd.  

…22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23 Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.… 1 Timothy 5: 22-24

8-9 Open your mouth for the mute - A righteous king is not  the voice of the rich and powerful only, not just for the loud, but also for those who cannot speak for themselves. In our day, Pro-life leaders are hard to come by, and those that make money off the death of infants have a loud voice. They have the voice that dollars make, that pays off government, and buys campaign adds for their favorite party. 

Defend the rights of the poor and needy - Everyone is made in the image of God, and this should be protected and served fairly regardless of money. The poor cannot afford so much defense as the rich, whether in court or on the streets, hold up the rule of law and fair play for them.

“It is noteworthy that this is her sole political concern; she does not say anything about building up the treasury, creating monuments to his reign, or establishing a dominant military power. For her the king’s throne is truly founded on righteousness.” (Garrett)

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#935 Proverbs 30 Too Stupid

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.

The man declares, I am weary, O God;

I am weary, O God, and worn out.

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 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.

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, the he-goat,

and a king whose army is with him.

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. Proverbs 30 ESV

Proverbs 30

1-6 I am weary, O God, and worn out - Taken within the context of this chapter, it is not one weary of the day, of hard labor, but rather the limitations of a man trying to understand God. Philosophy has not taken him to an "enlightened" state. 

Surely I am too stupid to be a man - Man, in his fallen nature, is beneath Adam's comprehension before the fall, and, as Adam became, so all men are, without that access to God that Adam so enjoyed. It is humble of the author, and not the least exaggerated, that he has not learned wisdom, as one who goes to school and earns a degree. He does not also own, within himself, knowledge of God, as those who declare themselves so high minded and "spiritual". 

…14“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ 16 Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’… Amos 7: 14-16

Who has ascended to heaven and come down - Only God. Man is limited in his understanding of God and heaven to what is revealed to him by God inside of time and space. Even in the visions given to some of the prophets, they are always perplexed and in humble awe. The charlatans of today speak of trips to heaven so they can fleece those with itching ears and sell ridiculous books. What contrast to the humility of this Agur.

…3 Then Job answered the LORD: 4“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth. 5 I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”… Job 40: 3-5

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6: 1-8

What is His name and what is His Son's name - "I am that I am", the One who tells the wind and sea to be still, the One who created the heavens and the earth. They perceive that Messiah is coming, someone to take the throne of David, the Seed of the woman promised in the garden, but all this, that God knows from His eternal decree, but must be revealed to men in God's time and according to His purpose. So the answer to Agur is, God knows.

Do not add to His words - It is vain, and not faith,  to speculate beyond what is revealed. It is gross to add what God never intended to be there. His word is pure, sufficient, and must be handled with great care. Doctrine must be derived from the whole counsel of God, teachers are not the end all, and what they say must be measured against the word of God. Why the church today has failed to see that this discounts Popes, false prophets and teachers within movements that say, "Christian", yet are open to "new words, revelations, fresh prophecies," that are not Biblical, sound, or Christian, is beyond disheartening. If we do not respect His word, then we do not respect Him.

7-9 Remove far from me falsehood and lying - You have not because you ask not - God is willing the things we read of here, but men would ask for the sake of their pleasures instead. 

Give me neither poverty nor riches - Agur, you won't sell many books with sermons like that.

Feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you - Don't give me so much that I think it comes from me. I don't want to be so satisfied with the material that I deny my need for the spiritual. Don't let me think of myself as arrived in any sense, make me hungry again the next day, desiring Your company and seeing Your hand in all.

Or lest I be poor and steal - Give me enough or let me know that it is enough, so that I do not profane Your name by declaring Your word, which says, "thou shalt not steal", and yet Your servant be found a thief. My life should only bring You honor.

…30 If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 32 Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God,… 1 Corinthians 10: 30-32

10 Do not slander a servant to his master - Why make a man look bad to his boss when it is not true? Why attack another's livelihood? If what you say is not true of him the curse will stand.

11-14 There are those who curse their fathers - These things are abominable. Disrespect of parents, self righteousness (clean in their own eyes), the proud (how high their eyelids lift).

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.… 1 Peter 5: 4-6

15 The leech has two daughters, give and give - A mouth that holds on and a mouth that draws the life from it's victim. Covetous, lazy, always with an eye to what is not theirs. Parasites.

He had spoken before of those that devoured the poor (v. 14), and had spoken of them last, as the worst of all the four generations there mentioned; now here he speaks of their insatiableness in doing this. The temper that puts them upon it is made up of cruelty and covetousness. Now those are two daughters of the horse-leech, its genuine offspring, that still cry, "Give, give, give more blood, give more money;’’ for the bloody are still blood-thirsty; being drunk with blood, they add thirst to their drunkenness, and will seek it yet again. Those also that love silver shall never be satisfied with silver. - Matthew Henry

16 - 17 Sheol (hell), it is always wanting, open and devouring. It will always make room for more, lead men astray, sit like an ant lion concealing it's mouth in the pit.

The barren womb - It is a high calling to be a mother, and much neglected in our day, but yearned for by women like Rachel and Hannah.

…10 In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. 11 And she made a vow, pleading, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.” 12 As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.… 1 Samuel 1: 10-12

Rachel

Hannah

The land never satisfied with water and the fire that never says, "enough" - The rain falls, is soaked in, used up and the land begs for rain again. The fire will never turn down more fuel, but grows with it. 

So insatiable are the corrupt desires of sinners, and so little satisfaction have they even in the gratification of them.II. He adds a terrible threatening to disobedient children (v. 17), for warning to the first of those four wicked generations, that curse their parents (v. 11), and shows here,1. Who they are that belong to that generation, not only those that curse their parents in heat and passion, but, (1.) Those that mock at them, though it be but with a scornful eye, looking with disdain upon them because of their bodily infirmities, or looking sour or dogged at them when they instruct or command, impatient at their checks and angry at them. God takes notice with what eye children look upon their parents, and will reckon for the leering look and the casts of the evil eye as well as for the bad language given them. (2.) Those that despise to obey them, that think it a thing below them to be dutiful to their parents, especially to the mother, they scorn to be controlled by her; and thus she that bore them in sorrow in greater sorrow bears their manners.2. What their doom will be. Those that dishonour their parents shall be set up as monuments of God’s vengeance; they shall be hanged in chains, as it were, for the birds of prey to pick out their eyes, those eyes with which they looked so scornfully on their good parents. The dead bodies of malefactors were not to hang all night, but before night the ravens would have picked out their eyes. If men do not punish undutiful children, God will, and will load those with the greatest infamy that conduct themselves haughtily towards their parents. Many who have come to an ignominious end have owned that the wicked courses that brought them to it began in a contempt of their parents’ authority. - Matthew Henry

18 - 19 Three things are too wonderful for me - He says this in the same pattern, adding 4 to the next line, making it open to as much as one could consider. We will always find marvelous things, wonderful things, be creatures of awe.

The way of an eagle in the sky - Men have long been fascinated with flight; birds let us know that it was possible, and we invented vehicles to take us skyward. We have looked back upon the earth from space, but have not traversed it's expanse. 

The way of a serpent on a rock - How effortlessly he moves without legs upon places our feet would stumble.

The way of a ship on the high seas - The sea is vast and known as treacherous still, but here is this little boat using it as a highway, navigating by the stars.

The way of a man with a virgin - Some have called this a mystery of iniquity, but sex itself is not a sin within the context of God's design. It is a beautiful thing, and the mystery and wonder of all that which brings a couple together, the love, dying to self, becoming one, and sharing in life together, marriage holds many a great mystery. I don't think it is here vilified by Agur; he will make that distinction next. 

 20 She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong" - This is the way of the adulteress, all that was meant in sacredness she destroys. All that was grand and powerful in fidelity, the promises of faithfulness, she discards. Israel was often referred to as a harlot in the Bible, for she went whoring after other gods. There is much in marriage that relates to our relationship to God. 

21-23 A slave when he becomes king - A man unfit for this duty, unprepared or vengeful. Joseph was elevated to such heights but prepared for it. As Potipher's slave he worked his way to manager, as a prisoner he was faithful and so trusted in running the jail. David was a shepherd, but God trained him in the king's house, in battle, and neither of these used their power to get revenge on those who mistreated them.

A fool when he is filled with food - He is content until the next time he is hungry. It is like a baby bird that never leaves the nest. A fool only sees thus far, and he will not prepare for leaner times.

An unloved woman when she gets a husband - Some interpret as angry or contentious. It is a hard thing for any house to endure.

And a maidservant when she displaces her mistress - This reminds us of the story of Abraham and Sarah. They chose earthly wisdom rather than trust in God's word, so Sarah gave Abraham her servant, Hagar. This breaks the bonds and trust of marriage, where the two become one, and created a contention that still goes on to this day.

Hagar

24-28 The ants are a people not strong - Go to the ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise. She prepares during the times of plenty for the times of drought. Ants are always at productive work, always building and preparing.

The rock badgers are a people not mighty - Conies or Marmots, live in the crags of rocks. They are a prey item, but have learned to avoid predators by living in strongholds up high. David also hid in such places when pursued by Saul.

Yet it lives in king's palaces - Some think this to be the Mediterranean gecko, and they are amazing to watch. Geckos and Agamas are found in places that I could not afford, but they are small and out of the way. When one watches them long enough, you come to find them a welcome guest; they eat a lot of bugs that would otherwise overrun a place. 

29-31 The strutting rooster, the he-goat - Some of said the greyhound, and again the awe can be found in the cheetah, gazelles, so many animals. I have sat and watched a group of Arabian horses for hours, and the stud horse was quite a show off, prancing rather stately, entertaining for sure.

32-33 If you have been foolish exalting yourself - It is never so well built a pedestal as we think, and we are always and clearly told that pride comes before a fall. Some comfort themselves that they have not been caught in it or that they are worthy of their words, but left to such delusion only causes one to fall from a higher place, and from some heights this is not recoverable by a mere dusting off. A haughty spirit before destruction.

“Those who make trouble get into trouble…. Hidden in the second simile, however, is the warning that those who make trouble are liable to get punched in the nose!” (Garrett)

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#934 Proverbs 29 Venting

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,

will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,

but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;

a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

8 Scoffers set a city aflame,

but the wise turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,

the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless

and seek the life of the upright.

11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,

all his officials will be wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;

the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14 If a king faithfully judges the poor,

his throne will be established forever.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,

but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,

but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;

he will give delight to your heart.

18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,

but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,

for though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood

will in the end find him his heir.

22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,

and one given to anger causes much transgression.

23 One's pride will bring him low,

but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;

he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25 The fear of man lays a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

26 Many seek the face of a ruler,

but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked. Proverbs 29 ESV

Proverbs 29

He who is often reproved yet stiffens his neck - I was warned often of many things. Of drugs, I was warned, but overdosed more than once. I was warned of bad company, but kept it much to my shame. Pride hardens against God's word and law, as if I as a creature am somehow above. It is the greatest mercy to be broken of God without being utterly vanquished or destroyed.

They are often reproved by parents and friends, by magistrates and ministers, by the providence of God and by their own consciences, have had their sins set in order before them and fair warning given them of the consequences of them, but all in vain; they harden their necks. Perhaps they fling away, and will not so much as give the reproof a patient hearing; or, if they do, yet they go on in the sins for which they are reproved; they will not bow their necks to the yoke, but are children of Belial; they refuse reproof ch. 10:17 ), despise it ch. 5:12 ), hate it, ch. 12:1 . The issue of this obstinacy is to be greatly dreaded: Those that go on in sin, in spite of admonition, shall be destroyed; those that will not be reformed must expect to be ruined; if the rods answer not the end, expect the axes. They shall be suddenly destroyed, in the midst of their security, and without remedy; they have sinned against the preventing remedy, and therefore let them not expect any recovering remedy. Hell is remediless destruction. They shall be destroyed, and no healing, so the word is. If God wounds, who can heal? - Matthew Henry

…13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.… Acts 26: 13-15

Goads

But a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth - The rich have many "friends". 

But he who exacts gifts tears it down - It is interesting that those who are paid well to serve the people, do not serve the people so well as themselves. They use power and influence to make themselves wealthy at the cost of doing what is right. Many come into jobs that pay 176,000 a year, yet move tax payer dollars and make unjust decisions, taking corrupt money from kick backs, and making millions upon a lack of integrity. Sadly, in my country, people still vote for these criminals time and again.

Scoffers set a city aflame - They fuel the flames of discord, putting neighbor against neighbor.

When such are employed in the business of the state they do things with precipitation, because they scorn to deliberate, and will not take time for consideration and consultation; they do things illegal and unjustifiable, because they scorn to be hampered by laws and constitutions; they break their faith, because they scorn to be bound by their word, and provoke the people, because they scorn to please them. Thus they bring a city into a snare by their ill conduct, or (as the margin reads it) they set a city on fire; they sow discord among the citizens and run them into confusion. Those are scornful men that mock at religion, the obligations of conscience, the fears of another world, and every thing that is sacred and serious. Such men are the plagues of their generation; they bring God’s judgments upon a land, set men together by the ears, and so bring all to confusion. 2. Who are the men that are the blessings of a land—the wise men who by promoting religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God, and who, by prudent counsels, reconcile contending parties and prevent the mischievous consequences of divisions. Proud and foolish men kindle the fires which wise and good men must extinguish. - Matthew Henry

A fool gives full vent to his spirit - He is not slow to speak or thoughtful, but wants to be heard. All his contempt is brought forth and his temper displayed.

The Lord gives light to the eyes of both - Money does not buy it, and it is not innate to either, but like rain from above.

…15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16“I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,… Genesis 41: 15-17

But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother - Children need parents, but we have thrown that away for the praise of our children in letting them raise themselves. Me not liking discipline was never a good measure of whether I needed it. Love that refuses to be unpopular is self love.

But blessed is he who keeps the law - Where there is no shepherd the sheep wander, and they become easy prey. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. God has given us many means of grace, His word, pastors, friendships of equal yoke, prayer, and His own Spirit. Do not forsake these and you will be blessed.

Will in the end find him his heir - If we are too delicate with those who work for us, promote them too quickly, then they will be more like the entitled son. They will lord the relationship over their fellow servants.

One's pride will bring him low - Mercifully so if it is not your end. I have tasted the floor of my pride on too many occasion, but once I could see it, and God gave me the light to detest it, then I could walk away from it. The ego is a form of insanity that men treasure, but it is the fast road to our demise. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The fear of man lays a snare - We are apt to comply with what we fear. Men will dishonor themselves and their integrity when they are afraid. Those that fear will often compromise where they should not.

…15 Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.… Daniel 3: 15-17

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