Bible Study on LIFE’S PUZZLES! Proverbs 30:1-14
Bible Reading: Proverbs 30:1-14
30 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
Bible Study on LIFE’S PUZZLES! Proverbs 30:1-14
Many wisdom writers of Agur’s time would introduce themselves as wise and full of understanding. Notice the way he described himself. As we, however, read through his writings, it becomes clear that contrary to his self-assessment, he is actually a man of great understanding, one seeking to make sense of the world around him. Notice his declaration in v.3 and the dilemma in v.4a. It would appear a believer friend interjected with some information to help him comprehend God (vs.5&6) and this led to Agur’s humble prayer in vs.7-9. We have many Agurs around us, some genuinely seek answers to their spiritual dilemma and to make sense of the world around them. May the Lord help us to offer the right words to help such people take refuge in the true God (v.6). Agur’s words in vs. 10-14 confirm that God has indeed revealed to everyman what is good and what He requires of him (Amos 6:8). Morality however is not enough, but true knowledge of the Holy One as revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ who did all that Agur wondered about in v.4 and more.
Missions: TONGA-Tonga’s rich Christian heritage is a blessing, but has reached the point of oversaturation. The proliferation of denominations generates competition among churches, as newer groups entice believers away. Isolation and the difficult economic situation complicate issues further. Pray that Tongan Christians would seek ways to contribute to the Kingdom of God rather than seeking the church that benefits them the most.
Prayer: Use Paul’s words in Phil. 3:10 to pray for increased knowledge of the Lord!
Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 28-30
Verse of the Day: Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who tske refuge in Him. (Prov. 30:5)
