The Last Days

Isaiah 2:1-21

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.” (Isaiah 2:1-5)

The prophecy in Isaiah 1 was about Judah and Jerusalem during king Ahaz’s reign, about 700 BC.  The prophecy in chapter 2 is about Judah and Jerusalem in the last days, specifically during the thousand year period known as the Millennium, mentioned in Revelation 20:4-7.  During that period, the Lord will reign in Jerusalem and all the nations of the earth will come there to worship.  We are told he will rule with a rod f iron and wrongdoing will not be tolerated.  For a thousand years there will be no wars, and the stockpiles of weapons will be reclaimed and put to domestic use.  Knowing what will come in the future, Isaiah calls on Judah and Jerusalem to turn to the Lord in his day.

 

“Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.  Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.” (Isaiah 2:6-9)

Judah had turned to the Assyrians and Chaldeans for support and had adopted their astrology and magic so that they were little different than the Philistines, trusting their wizards and witches and educated men instead of God.  Judah was a very wealthy country with huge military buildup so that they were confident they could not be defeated.  Convinced they no longer need God’s blessings. They have turned to many other gods, building idols everywhere.  Almost everyone, from the poorest and least respected to the most powerful leader is involved in worshipping the idols.    It is an unforgiveable affront to God.

“Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.  The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.  For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.  And the idols he shall utterly abolish.   And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” (Isaiah 2:10-18)

In the last day, just before the Millennium all mankind’s pride will be destroyed.  Judah and Jerusalem will be forced to spend several years in hiding as described in Revelation 12:14-16.  Revelation describes the destruction of the trees in Revelation 8:7.  Revelations 16 describes a great earthquake that sinks the islands and flattens the mountains, destroying cities around the world. a third of the ships will be destroyed according to Revelation 8:9. And all the art work from the past will be wiped out so that people can no longer take pride in their wickedness or worship those old idols.   People will flee to the mountains looking for a place of safety, according to Revelation 6:14-17.

“In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” (Isaiah 2:20-21)

The things people cling to today will be thrown away as worthless when God’s power is revealed in the last day.  All the wealth and false religion will mean nothing to them.   

A Commitment Is Required

Isaiah 1:16-31

A wife may well refuse to accept flowers as evidence of an unfaithful husband’s regrets,  She has every right and even an obligation to demand a sincere and concerted effort to make things right and demonstrate his commitment to her before trusting him again, for her own self-respect and emotional health.   Before God forgave and accepted Judah’s advances, He demanded evidence of a sincere commitment to him.

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.   If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:16-20)

If they were to experience the blessing from God, Judah needed to eliminate the known sin from their lives and begin to do the things they had promised to do in exchange for God’s blessings and protection.  Not only did they need to stop their sin, they also needed to proactively seek to set things right, seeing that justice was done, and that provision was made for those who could not protect themselves.    In effect is much like the betrayed wife demanding that her husband get rid of the other woman’s phone number and picture and  come straight home in the evening, doing things around the house and spending time with her instead of going off where she has no way of knowing what he is doing. 

If the husband is willing to listen to his wife and make a commitment to do as she asks, and then follow through with it, the marriage can be saved and eventually become as good or better than ever, but if he refuses to take her seriously, the marriage is doomed to fail.   God promised Judah that if they would sit down and talk it over, and take action, they would be forgiven the relationship could be restored or become even better.  If they refused to listen or rebelled against the agreement, they would be destroyed.  It was their choice what happened because God would not change his mind. 

“How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.  Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.” (Isaiah 1:21-23)

How could a faithful wife whose husband has provided a nice home and give as much as he could prostitute herself out to other men for a few dollars or a temporary pleasure.  Her actions will destroy the peace and happiness they once had, and the pleasure they once found together will be diluted by the memories of relations with someone else and the purity severely tarnished. By worshipping the Syrian gods and turning to the Assyrians for help, Judah had religiously prostituted themselves, betraying God.  As a result, the moral standards had changed, with their leaders accepting bribes, and using their position to take advantage of the people, ripping them off and breaking the laws.   There was no concern for those who were less fortunate. 

“Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isaiah 1:24-26)

If the unfaithful mate refuses to accept responsibility and make efforts to restore the relationship, the betrayed one will probably seek a divorce and repayment for their emotional distress by legal and sometimes physical attacks.   God promised Judah he would destroy those she had messed around with and punish them until they returned to a proper relationship with him, until every remembrance of the other gods was purged.  When they finally did, they would again be known as God’s people.  God will not ever give up on them.

“Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.  And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.  For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.  For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.  And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.” (Isaiah 1:27-31)

Jerusalem will be restored by judging and correcting the things that are wrong and those who turn to God as a result will live in righteousness.  Those who refuse to obey God’s law will be destroyed.  Everyone would be embarrassed about the choices Judah had made, choosing some on they thought was strong instead of the Lord, and another source of provision instead of him.  The ones they have counted on for strength will be like a piece of frayed rope or loose cotton just waiting for a spark to set it off, and the ones who made it seem so desirable will serve as the spark, Like the Assyrians coming to help Israel ut turning on them instead.  Ultimately it will result in the destruction of both.  

Israel’s Rebellion Against God

Isaiah 1:1-15

“The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” (Isaiah 1:1)

Isaiah prophesied from about 750 BC. until about 670 BC, during the reign of four kings.   Uzziah, Jotham, and Hezekiah served the Lord, while and Ahaz did not.   During this period there was a general movement away from serving God by the people. although there was a resurgence of following him during Hezekiah’s reign.  After Hezekiah’s death, the downward spiral began in earnest with only a few brief interruptions until the time of Christ.  Knowing this gives us a basis for understanding much of Isaiah’s prophecy.  The prophecies are not in chronological order.

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.  Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.“ (Isaiah 1:2-4)

Even donkey or a cow knows to come when their owner goes to the feed trough so they can get food.  Israel doesn’t seem to understand that, acting like an animal that has never been handled, fighting to escape and spilling the food all over the ground.   Such behavior may be expected from one who has been abused or never been in a corral, but from one who grew up in constant contact with the owner it is really frustrating.  God had done everything for Israel and Judah for seven hundred years, and their behavior was frustrating to God.

“Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.  From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.  Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.  And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.” (Isaiah 1:5-8)

Judah was like an animal that goes into a panic, kicking and fighting and injuring itself in its efforts to get away.  The more they hurt themselves, the worse their panic gets, and nothing you can do really gets through to them.  All you can do is let them wear themselves out and hope they don’t hurt themselves too badly.    Under Ahaz, Judah was defeated by Israel and two hundred thousand were taken as captives.  Ahaz hired the Assyrians under Tilgathpilneser to help defeat Edomite and Philistine invaders.  Instead the Assyrians took the opportunity to spoil them further.  Panicked, Ahaz turned to the Syrian religion. 

“Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.” (Isaiah 1:9)

If it hadn’t been for God’s intervention to protect them, Judah would have been completely destroyed as a result of their rebellion against God.  They would have been as completely wiped out as Sodom or Gomorrah. 

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.  To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.” (Isaiah 1:10-11)

Like an unfaithful husband who goes and buys his wife as flowers to distract and mollify her, Judah was offering sacrifices to try to mollify God.   In such a case, the flowers become a reminder of the husbnd’s infidelity instead of a token of his love.  In the same way, Judah’s sacrifices were a reminder of their infidelity and gave God no pleasure.

“When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?  Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.  Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.  And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:12-15)

After a few times, the wife learns that her husband bringing flowers for no obvious reason probably indicates another infidelity and begins to see them as an insult to herself as being too dumb to figure out what is going on.   God saw Judah’s sacrifices the same way and refused to accept any more.  They had become and insult to his intelligence rather than an indication of love.   Until real changes are made, there will be no forgiveness.  

The Good Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:10-12)  

Bathsheba warned Solomon about the dangers of alcohol, especially for those in positions of leadership, and gave him advice regarding its proper use.   Sexual involvement also plays a very important role in person’s ability to lead other people and make good choices.  With this in mind, she advises Solomon about the things to look for in in deciding whether to get involved. 

She points out that good trustworthy women are rare and thus very valuable.   Solomon tells us how rare in Ecclesiastes 7:27-28.  “Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.”   Only about one person in a thousand, whether men or women, can be depended on to be honest and good. 

A truly good woman’s husband safely trust her to work with him to further their goals.  As a result, he will not need to constantly work overtime or find other ways to make up for her doing her own thing or demanding her own way.  Solomon says it would be better to be dead than to be stuck with a selfish greedy and controlling woman in Ecclesiastes 7:26.  “And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.”  A man who pleases the Lord will be able to escape such a woman, but one who ignores God’s plan risks being taken in and destroyed by her. 

The good woman will encourage her husband, and keep in mind his goals and needs.  The selfish and wicked woman runs her husband down, to her friends and family, uses their resources to satisfy herself without concern for what he needs or wants, is disrespectful and disparaging toward him, lies to him, and constantly tries to manipulate him to get her own way.    She may destroy his reputation, his credit, his business, or his family, and seriously damage his confidence and self-respect by constantly undercutting his decisions or plans. 

“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” (Proverbs 31:13-15)

The good woman is willing to work to make sure those who depend on her have what they need.  She makes the effort to get up early to see that they are fed before they go to work or school, and she is willing to go out of her way to get good deals on clothing and groceries, and to provide the best meals possible for her family.   

“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” (Proverbs 31:16-18)

Because she has earned her husband’s trust, she is free to purchase property and plant a garden or field to supplement their income and provide things they couldn’t have otherwise.  She personally takes care of it so it doesn’t become a burden for him, and knowing that what she is doing is worthwhile.   

“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” (Proverbs 31:19-22)  

The good woman is not selfish, but reaches out to help others in need, willing make clothing or whatever is needed to take care of her family, learning to make nice things for her family and dressing them all in clothing that reflects well on the family.  She dresses and maintains her appearance in a way that makes her husband proud of her. 

“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” (Proverbs 31:23)

Partly because of her efforts, the husband is able to involve himself with affairs of the community and develop a degree of respect because she doesn’t run him down or publicly embarrass him, and he is able to commit to help people without fear of upsetting her. 

“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:24-27)  

The good woman contributes to the income of the home, developing and using her skills to produce things others desire.  She is constantly working and getting things done, but doesn’t allow herself to become bitter about what all she is doing, taking her anger out on others.  Her family is her first priority. 

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” (Proverbs 31:29-29)  

In the future her her children will remember her with fondness and appreciate her love and concern for them.  Her husband will also have a high level of appreciation of what she does.  She will stand out above anyone else to those who know her, and especially her immediate family and friends.  Her husband will not be looking for a replacement. 

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:30-31)

A beautiful appearance may keep a person from seeing what a woman is really like, but as the old saying goes, beauty is only skin deep, and doesn’t really matter.  The heart attitude is far more important in the long run, and a woman who respects and honors God will be far better than one who just looks pretty.  In the long term, the results of her actions and life style will determine the respect and love she receives. 

She's the kind of woman the guys should look for, and the girls should strive to be.  

Proper usage of Alcohol

Proverbs 31:1-9

“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” (Proverbs 31:1)

The word used here is only translated as prophecy in this verse and in Proverbs 31:1.  It means literally a burden, a guideline or set of rules that his mother taught him.  Lemuel means the one who belongs to God, and refers to Solomon.  Here he is sharing some of the advice his mother tried to teach him.   He starts with some general advice for political leaders.

“What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?  Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.   It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” (Proverbs 31:2-5)  

In I Corinthians 6:12, Paul said, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”  Under the Law many things were forbidden, but as Christians we are not under the law.  Nevertheless, there are things Christians should avoid.  Some things harm us physically or damage our reputations more than any benefit they might provide while others take control of our thinking and destroy our focus.  Bathsheba warned Solomon that both sexual involvement and alcohol posed special serious threats for those in power. 

Sexual involvement often leads to cover ups, manipulation and blackmail.  By getting involved, one gives up his independence.  Alcohol impairs one’s logical thinking processes and judgment, leading to poor decisions.  While they are problems for ordinary people, they can have a disastrous effect for many people when they involve a leader or ruler.  Bathsheba centers her advice on these two areas. 

Many today tout the health benefits of drinking a little alcohol every day as justification for social drinking.  While there  are some medicinal benefits form the use of alcoholic Beverages, few seem to realize how small the quantities recommended are,   The recommendation is that an adult man drink no more than one eight ounce glass of wine or one and a half ounce shot of hard liquor per day.    More than that does more harm than good.  A woman should not consume more than half as much.  Similar health benefits can be obtained by eating a healthy diet without the risk, and research indicates that one four ounce glass of fresh grape juice will provide the same benefit as a four ounce glass of wine.

“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.   Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:6-7)  

Hard liquor was to be used to deaden the pain for those who were seriously injured.  Wine was recommended as an antidepressant.  These are valid medical uses even today, but like any prescription drug, can lead ot problems if over used.   In addition, Paul recommended Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach problems in I Timothy 5:23.   “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.”  Their wine was not pasteurized and thus provided live probiotic bacteria that would help digestive problems that modern commerciwines do not.   Because it was stored in wineskin instead of glass bottles, much of the alcohol evaporated, reducing the alcohol content and making the wine mellow and less harmful to the digestive system.    

“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)  

As ruler, Solomon had a responsibility to protect people from more powerful interests and see that the laws were enforced equitably regardless of financial or political power.  It was and is critical that a leader’s judgment not be impaired by alcohol or drugs or influenced by sexual involvement.  Limiting alcohol usage to proper medical uses will prevent problems in that area.  

Learning From Groups

Proverbs 30:18-33

“There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.  Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.” (Proverbs 30:18-20)

Despite all his wisdom, there were some things Solomon couldn’t fully understand.  How can an eagle fly, just soaring on the wind currents with no apparent effort?  How can a snake move across a rock, climbing into seemingly impossible places with no legs or arms to propel them?  How can a ship loaded with hundreds of thousands of tons of cargo float?  Though we have scientific explanations today, they are still amazing.   Science can explain attraction between men and women as part of the evolutionary survival mechanism, but they cannot explain what happens when a person falls in love or the complex emotions that are involved. 

It is just as hard to understand how a person can claim to love another person and go out and cheat on them sexually and insist they haven’t done anything wrong or that their mate has no right to be upset.  People can maintain amazing levels of denial in the face of obvious guilt and  despite serious problems. 

“For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.” (Proverbs 30:21-23)

There are some things that result in people becoming unbearable.  A servant or slave who feels he has been taken advantage of often treats those who are under him even worse than he was treated, taking out his anger on innocent people.  A fool who has everything he wants may feel he has the solution to everyone else’s problems and try to force them to do things his way.  An obnoxious person has to pretend to be nice if they are to find a partner, but once they have the wedding, they no longer have to pretend and become even more obnoxious and abusive.

“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.” (Proverbs 30:24-27)

There are some little things most people never notice that have some important lessons to teach.  Though they are very small, ants are able to survive the winters in good shape because they work all summer getting ready.  Conies, marmots an rock squirrels are small and fairly defenseless and are sought as food by fierce predators.  They are able to survive because they make their dens among the rocks where the predators can’t easily get to them.   Alone locusts are easily caught by birds and other insect eaters.  In huge swarms, the birds and other predators can only kill a few, ensuring that many survive.  By careful planning and keeping out of sight, spiders are able to survive and thrive in even the most hostile environments where every effort is made to dislodge them.

“There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.” (Proverbs 30:29-31)

There are some things that are impressive to watch.  A lion walks confidently through the forest with no sign of fear or concern, making him an impressive sight.  A greyhound runs so fluidly and effortlessly that is is a joy to watch him run.  A mature goat is stately and magnificent to watch.  In the same way, a king who is confident that his followers support him has an easy assurance that less popular rulers can’t match.   He doesn’t have to worry about defending himself, nor does he take the offensive, believing the best defense is a good offence.

“If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.” (Proverbs 30:32)

If you’ve bragged about knowing or doing something, or have thought evil thought s about somebody, put your hand over your mouth to keep it from saying things it shouldn’t and getting you into trouble.  Some things are better left unsaid.

“Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.” (Proverbs 30:33)

Vigorous stirring and shaking of natural whole milk will eventually cause the particles of fat to clump together and produce butter.  Twisting somebody’s nose will eventually cause their nose to start bleeding.  In the same way, constantly doing things to irritate and annoy people will eventually result in them getting mad.  Don’t blame them for what you caused.

The Generation Gap

Proverbs 30:1-17

“The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.  I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.“ (Proverbs 30:1-3)

Here Solomon refers to when he was first anointed as king and God told him to ask for what ever he wanted describing his sense of inadequacy.   Agur means the one who has been received by wise people, speaking of himself.  He is the son of Jakeh, the obedient one(David).  He speaks to Ithiel, the one who has arrived or is there(God), and Ucal, who devoured his enemies(God).   

I Kings 3:7-9 describes the event in detail.  “And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.  And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.  Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”  Solomon recognized he could not successfully lead Israel without God’s wisdom and direction.

“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?  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:4-6)

No one else has the power God has to go into heaven or come back to earth, or to control the winds or dam up the waters and keep them in place.  No one else could make every detail in the most remote part of the earth, nor can they call God by name as a personal friend.  Everything God says can be trusted, and he will protect his people.  He will not ignore people adding to his words and claiming it came from him.

“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 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.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)

There were two things Solomon wanted God do for him.  First, he wanted to be able to tell what was important and true and what was not.  Secondly, he asked to be kept from being very rich, or very poor because he saw a very real danger in either one.   Having too much makes a person feel tht he doesn’t need God, while too little results in frustration and a tendency to blame God.  God answered the prayer, giving Solomon the wisdom to know what was important and recognize the lies.  Unfortunately, Solomon got greedy, gathering all the wealth he could get, 

“Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.” (Proverbs 30:10)

Don’t accuse somebody else’s employee of not doing their job.  They may get mad and file a complaint against you or tell others.  If it turns out you were wrong, it will damage your reputation.   Romans 14:4 asks, “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

“There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.  There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.  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.  ” (Proverbs 30:11-14)

The word translated generation here refers to what we usually mean when we say generation, a particular group of similar ages.  There is a tendency for young people to lose their respect for their parents and ancestors and to accept moral standards that are unacceptable to God or their parents.  There is a tendency for the younger generation to think they are better and smarter than those who have gone before. And they tend to think they have the right and power to get rid of poverty and need, whether by taking from those who have more, or by killing off those they see as inferior.  Neither approach works.

 

“The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. “(Proverbs 30:15-16)

Leaches live off other animals and constantly siphon off the nutrients the animal worked for.  The same thing happens when people begin to depend on others to support them.   Once they develop that attitude, they will never be content with what they have, but will constantly be craving or demanding more.   

“The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.” (Proverbs 30:17)

Though they don’t understand it, the generation that thinks they are so much better than their parents will ultimately be worse off.   There was a reason why the old generation had the standards they kept.  They prevented a lot of problems.