PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

“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 be three things which go well,” now, this is in a sense of motion or movement, “yea, four are comely in going,” how they run, how they move, comely, beautiful, graceful. The lion in verse 30. Now, these are references in these things here to Satan, or the Antichrist, in his goings.

The Bible says about Christ, that His going forth are as the sun in Psalm 19; so, the Devil is going to go forth one of these days and take over; and he is going to be calm and beautiful to people in this world. And it says a lion, which is the “strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any,” so Satan is very strong. He is said to be a roaring lion in First Peter 5:8, and it says that the Antichrist who is a leopard has the mouth of a lion (Revelation 13:1-3). So, the connection there is with the Antichrist. He will be very beautiful and acceptable to the world.

Next, a Greyhound. The greyhound is very fast. We'd say as fast as lightning. Christ said, “. . . and I beheld Satan fall as lightning” (Luke 10:18). So, the Greyhound has some connection with Satan. And you might note the fact that he is a dog. In Second Peter 2:22 a dog is associated with false prophets Satan has the false prophets he goes.

Then the he goat. Oh boy, there is no doubt about the he goat. That's a reference to the Antichrist in Daniel 8:21, and all Satanists have the he goat as their emblem.

Then he says, “And a King, against whom there is no rising up.” A King with a great army, like the Caesars, like Alexander the Great, or Nebuchadnezzar. Great Kings with great armies, against whom there is no rising up. Satan is a King (Daniel 7:23 and Daniel 11:37).

Daily Bible study is necessary if we are going to begin our day with the right attitude and the right spiritual diet. Proverbs has 31 chapters, and most months have 31 days, so let's read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let's keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread! Ideally, a chapter or two of Proverbs will fit in nicely with a good plan of reading our Bibles through each year.

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Thanks for posting this. Here are some insights from the great Charles Bridges (ca. 1830):
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After having mentioned some striking instances of wisdom, Agur now singles out a few objects, which appeared to him remarkable for their comeliness in going
* the firm and stately walk of the lion, fearless and proud, not turning away for any;
* the graceful form, and the elegant and swift movements, of the greyhound;
* the he-goat at the head of the flock, as their guide and protector;
*and the majesty of the king, inspiring all who approach him with reverence for his authority, and not suffering any rising up against the exercise of his power.

. Let us have regard, not only to the various duties of the Christian life, but also to the manner and spirit of their performance. Cultivate not only the integrity, but the come-liness of the Christian character. Christians should be attractive and engaging by the courtesy of their general demeanor. It is not enough to observe “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure.” But “whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8.) Any manifest want of comeliness in our going repels the world from the gospel of Christ. ‘If we desire to reign in heaven, we must present ourselves there with this beautiful crown, from whence radiate all kinds of virtue and praise.’

Nor let us forget to imitate the features of this comeliness here portrayed; to be fearless as the lion, when pursuing the path of duty, not turning away from any (see Nehemiah 6:3, 11); to desire the eager spring of the greyhound in our heavenly course; to be useful as the he-goat, as the leader of a godly band; and to maintain our proper authority in any place of trust, as parents or guardians of families; and not to allow any rising up against it.

Thanks for adding to today’s lesson. Feel free to do so whenever the Lord leads! :)

Actually, thank you. I don’t know if you intend to stay in Proverbs, but it will be a blessing if you do. Forwarding the commentary is a means of improving my own studies. There was a time twenty years ago that I would be reading the Proverbs and Bridges’ insights in the predawn of a HomeDepot parking lot, preparing for the day. I miss that time.

I’ve been doing it for the last two years, and Lord willing, I have enough material for another two. If He hasn’t returned by then - perhaps we’ll start it over again. Proverbs is a powerful tool for Christian growth and somehow I think that God purposed it to have 31 chapters for each month.

God is good, all the time!

I seek your post everyday....I am truly very grateful that you take the time to post Gods word.