March 8, 2010 Lesson 20 of Proverbs 30

March 8, 2010 Lesson 20 of Proverbs 30
The last two chapters of Proverbs are appendices. Chapter 30 gives the sayings of Agur, of whom nothing further is known. Agur first looks Godward, and is humbled by the mystery of the divine being and power. Later he looks out on the world of men and animals and notes a number of striking facts, which he records.

Notice the definiteness, urgency, content and motive of Agur’s prayer. Compare with it the prayer which our Lord taught his disciples to pray. V7-9, I think covers two pieces. First the literal sense of give us this day our daily bread, and second lead us not into temptation. When Christ spoke the words about the bread it could be literally bread or in reference to His Word. In these words in Proverbs the author is asking for his daily bread so that he will not be lead into temptation by stealing (as a poor man) or becoming greedy and self righteous as a rich man.

Are the classes of men mentioned in verses 11-14 still present? State in four words the sins of which they were guilty. Answer: yes they are. Disrespect (or even contempt), pride, self righteousness, evil.

What four lessons can the four creatures mentioned in verses 24-28 teach us? Answer: wisdom, preparedness, ??