Proverbs 30:21-33
Q.1. What point was Solomon making about life reversals that are hard to bear? What small members of the animal kingdom impressed him for their wisdom? – (Prov.30:21-28)
Solomon was an observer of living things – 29 Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore … 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish (1 Kgs.4:29, 32-33). He observed three or four potentially dangerous things – 22 … a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is satisfied with food, 23 … an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress (Prov.30:22-23). He was also impressed by the wisdom of seemingly small and insignificant things in the animal kingdom – 25 ants are not a strong … but they prepare their food in the summer; 26 The rock badgers are not mighty … yet they make their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks; 28 The lizard you may grasp with the hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces (Prov.30:25-28). Solomon knew what it was to stop and enjoy God’s creation.
Q.2. What did Solomon commend for their grandeur? Why is it foolish to exalt ourselves? What is the best way to avoid the strife produced by foolish plans? – (Prov.30:29-33)
Being a king, Solomon could identify with the stateliness and grandeur of others – 30 The lion which is mighty among beasts and does not retreat before any, 31 The strutting rooster, the male goat also, And a king when his army is with him (Prov.30:30-31). It is best to avoid the anger and strife that is stirred up by foolishly exalting ourselves, or plotting against another. It is much better to put our hand to our mouths, or as Jesus advised – make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way … (Mt.5:25) lest worse consequences come upon us.