At age 4, Jesse lost his mother. By the time he was 9, Jesse lived in foster homes. As a teen, he met a young man who played basketball. When Jesse shared his name, the young man looked surprised. Your mother and my father were brother and sister! Taking Jesse home, the cousin introduced him … Continue reading –>
All through the Bible, imagery from nature has been used to teach spiritual truths. Here, too, using nature, the proverb teaches us lessons about humility. Read Proverbs 30:18-19. What is it saying here, too, about the limits of human understanding? Agur sees mystery in even many of the common things. It is a very fascinating … Continue reading –>
Just as humility is positive and brings blessings, a lack of humility is dangerous and brings curses. After having encouraged the virtue of humility by showing its rewards and fruit, Proverbs 30 gives a stern warning about the dangers that come from pride. Cursing your parents (Prov. 30:11 & Prov. 30:17). Agur begins with this category, for … Continue reading –>
Prov. 30:7–9 contains the only prayer in the book of Proverbs. It is not by chance that this request immediately follows the affirmation of God as the great Creator (Prov. 30:4) and the promise of His faithfulness (Prov. 30:5). Read Proverbs 30:7–9. Why would someone ask these things? Before we ask God for anything, it … Continue reading –>
Pride arises in those who don’t know the Lord in a personal way. In contrast, the person who lives in communion with God will be humble, for he or she is constantly in touch with the One who is infinitely greater than any of us. When we think about the size of the universe and … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 30:1–3, Prov. 30:32-33. Together, what are they saying? The self-negation seen in these texts is quite a break from the usual self-exaltation of kings in the ancient Near East, who often liked to boast of their wisdom, achievements, and military victories. Solomon himself is recorded as surpassing all the kings of the earth … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Proverbs 30, Luke 18:9–14, Job 38:1–40:2, 1 John 1:9, Rev. 3:14–18, Psalm 104:24. Memory Text: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3, NKJV). In the Bible, humility is considered an important virtue. The greatest of prophets, Moses, is singled out as the most humble … Continue reading –>
Further Study: The laws of God have their foundation in the most immutable rectitude, and are so framed that they will promote the happiness of those who keep them. . . . Religion brings man into personal relation with God, but not exclusively; for the principles of heaven are to be lived out, that they … Continue reading –>
Miranda Starr, principal and teacher at Parkersburg Academy in West Virginia, wanted to do an experiment with her first and second grade students. In Bible class, we were studying about kindness, and how it is contagious, she says. We wanted to see if it really works. Then Miranda had an idea–why not go to Eagle … Continue reading –>
Of all the things we could teach our children, our students, or anyone who is open to learning from us, perhaps the most important lesson can be found here, as Paul, who is writing about the lost, says that they received not the love of the truth (2 Thess. 2:10). Of course, because Jesus is … Continue reading –>
