Lesson 12 for March 21, 2015

In Proverbs 30, Agur advised us to be humble by avoiding boasting and by meditating on God and His works.

1. AVOIDING BOASTING

Foolishness and boasting (v. 32)

The acts of the proud (v. 11-20)

2. ACQUIRING HUMILITY

Looking at God (v. 3-6)

Asking for what we need (v. 7-9)

Learning from nature (v. 18-19, 24-28)

“If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.”

(Proverbs 30:32)

We act like fools [nabal in Hebrew] when we boast, brag or become arrogant.

Nabal is the clearest example of boasting fool in the Bible: “For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him!” (1 Samuel 25:25).

The proud thinks he already knows or has everything. His problem is that he thinks he doesn’t need anything. He’s like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14; he doesn’t want to accept God’s forgiveness and wisdom.

There are three despicable acts as a result of boasting in Proverbs 30:11-20. The crude results of being arrogant are depicted in that passage.

Cursing one’s parents

• “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers… The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.” (Proverbs 30:11, 17 NIV).

Excusing sin

• “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness… This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done no wickedness.’” (Proverbs 30:12, 20).

Despising others

• “There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and whose fangs are like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.” (Proverbs 30:13-14).

“Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?Who has gathered the wind in His fists?Who has bound 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,If you know?” (Proverbs 30:4)

When we see God’s work—from the vast universe to the microscopic world—, every reason to be proud fades away.

When we look at God’s greatness like Job did (Job 38-39), we can do nothing but say as David did: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:4).

Thus, we must study the God’s revealed truth (the Bible) in a humble way. Our understanding is covered with fog and mystery, since we can’t actually understand even the simplest things in nature. How could we question God’s Word? We cannot question the Bible just because some passages puzzle us.

“Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die)” (Proverbs 30:7)

What two things did Agur request of God (v. 8)?

1. “Remove falsehood and lies far from me.”2. “Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me

with the food allotted to me.”

Firstly, he asked God to separate him from falsehood and lies. Secondly, he asked Him to give him only the necessary sustenance.

In verse 9, Agur explained why he requested those things:

If I had too much, I might forget I depend on God.

If I were poor, I might be tempted to sin against God by stealing.

Jesus taught us to ask God for our sustenance: “Give us day by day our daily bread.” (Luke 11:3)

The way of an eagle in the

sky

The way of a snake on a

rock

The way of a ship on the high seas

The way of a man with a

young woman

Which things didn’t Agur understand (Proverbs 30:19 NIV)? What can we learn from them?

Studying the nature makes us aware of our ignorance. That’s a good way to build humility.

Studying the nature makes us aware of our ignorance. That’s a good way to build humility.

Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.

Hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags.

Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks.

A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

What can we learn from small animals (Proverbs 30:25-28 NIV)?

“In the varied scenes of nature also are lessons

of divine wisdom for all who have learned to

commune with God. The pages that opened in

undimmed brightness to the gaze of the first

pair in Eden bear now a shadow. A blight has

fallen upon the fair creation. And yet, wherever

we turn, we see traces of the primal loveliness;

wherever we turn, we hear the voice of God and

behold His handiwork.”

E.G.W. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, section 2, cp. 6, pg. 52)