Are we faithful and wise servants of God? Let’s begin in Proverbs 30.
Is Agur wiser than most of us, humbly admitting his insufficiency?
The words of Agur, Jakeh’s son, from Massa. The man declares: I’m tired, God; I’m tired, God, and I’m exhausted. Actually, I’m too stupid to be human, a man without understanding. I haven’t learned wisdom, nor do I have knowledge of the holy one. (Pr 30:1-3 CEB)
Are any of us sufficient to understand the wonders of the natural world and the power of God?
Has anyone gone up to heaven and come back down? Has anyone grabbed hold of the wind? Has anyone wrapped up the sea or marked out boundaries for the earth? If you know of any who have done such things, then tell me their names and their children's names. (Pr 30:4 CEV)
Why do we add human ideas to God’s Word and call them holy traditions?
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. (Pr 30:5-6 ESV)
What two requests did Agur have and do we want the same things?
Two things I ask of You; don’t deny them to me before I die: Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need. Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, “Who is the Lord?” or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God. (Pr 30:7-9 HCSB)
What can happen if we disparage a fellow employee to the boss?
Don’t lie about a servant to his master, or that servant will curse you and you will pay for it. (Pr 30:10 ISV)
What does a generation look like that dishonors parents, is self-righteous but evil, arrogant and treads on the poor?
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. (Pr 30:11-14 KJV)
What four ravenous things in this world seem to never end?
The leech has two daughters, “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, “Enough”: Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.” The eye that mocks a father And despises obedience to a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it. (Pr 30:15-17 LSB)
What four things did Agur say are marvelous mysteries to behold?
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand: The way of the eagle in the sky, The way of a snake on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin. (Pr 30:18-19 NASB)
What astonishing self-deception does an adulterous woman tell herself?
This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’ (Pr 30:20 NIV)
What four things can cause the world around us to be disquieted?
For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress. (Pr 30:21-23 NKJV)
What can we learn from ants, the rock badger or hyrax, locusts, and lizards?
There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. Hyraxes—they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks. Locusts—they have no king, but they march in formation. Lizards—they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’ palaces. (Pr 30:24-28 NLT)
What can we learn from a lion, a greyhound, a billy goat and a king?
There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going: The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn’t turn away for any; the greyhound; the male goat; and the king against whom there is no rising up. (Pr 30:29-31 WEB)
What should we do or say if we’ve been foolish and arrogantly exalting ourselves or bragging presumptuously?
If you’ve been foolish and arrogant, if you’ve been scheming, put your hand to your mouth, because churning milk makes curds, squeezing the nose brings blood, and stirring up anger produces strife. (Pr 30:32-33 CEB)
Who did Jesus say were faithful and wise servants?
The Lord answered: Who are faithful and wise servants? Who are the ones the master will put in charge of giving the other servants their food supplies at the proper time? Servants are fortunate if their master comes and finds them doing their job. A servant who is always faithful will surely be put in charge of everything the master owns. (Luke 12:42-44 CEV)
Are we faithful and wise servants of God? You decide!
