Day 711 – Riddles of the Wise – Proverbs 30

Wisdom-Trek

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy Welcome to Day 711 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Riddles of the Wise - Proverbs 30 Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 711 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 30 from The Voice Translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom. We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I tend to relate to practical everyday advice and wisdom and strive to share that same practical wisdom with each listener of Wisdom-Trek. The practical advice and wisdom in today’s passage is that same type of wisdom. Wisdom can be shared in many different ways and in Proverbs 30 we read the… Riddles of the Wise Chapters 30 and 31 are the final parts of this ancient book of biblical wisdom. Interestingly, each chapter contains poems attributed to non-Israelite authors named Agur and Lemuel. Agur is a commoner, while Lemuel is a king. According to the superscriptions, both are referred to as sons — a fitting conclusion to a book devoted to sons acquiring wisdom. In Chapter 30 we hear from the first wise son, Agur. There’s a mini-autobiography in verses 1-9, followed by a collection of fascinating riddles (verses 10-33). Most of these riddles explore things in life that you should avoid: slander, cursing, hate, deception, mockery, adultery, pride, and evil. As bad as these things sound, Agur’s sayings reveal that those who do such things often consider themselves innocent. Some of these riddles are not about virtue or morality, but are simply observations about nature or relationships. Their structure consists of three observations. The first two are observations about how the world works. The third shows how the first two relate to how wisdom works. “For as churning cream produces butter” (observation 1), and “as twisting the nose produces blood” (observation 2), “so stirring up anger produces strife” (observation 3). The riddles, along with the autobiography, are asking us to consider the outcomes of our choices and actions. What do you need to pay most attention to as you go into your day? Listen intently as I read Proverbs 30. 1 These are the words of Agur, son of Jakeh. An oracle of wisdom. He says, “I am weary, God. I am weary and spent, O God.”[a] 2 Certainly I am a stupid man, as dumb as an ox. I don’t understand the way that most people do. 3 I have never learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge at all of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended into the heavens and then come back down? Who has collected the winds in the palm of His hand? Who has wrapped up the vast oceans in His coat? Who has plotted the ends of the earth and then fashioned them? What is His name? What is His son’s name? Do you know? Indeed, you do. 5 Every word of God will be put to the test and proven true; He is a defense for those who trust in Him. 6 Take care. Add nothing to what He has said; for if you do, He will correct you and expose you as a liar. 7 Two things I ask, O God. Sometime before I die, grant these humble requests: 8 Eliminate any hint of worthless and deceitful words from my lips. Do not make me poor or rich, but give me each day what I need; 9 For if I have too much, I might forget You are the One who provides, saying, “Who is the Eternal One?” Or if I do not have enough, I might become hungry and turn to stealing and thus dishonor the good name of my God. 10 Never run down a servant to his master because the slave might curse you and you would suffer as a result. 11 There is a kind of person who curses his father and pronounces no blessing upon his mother; 12 A kind of person who is without fault in his own estimation