Proverbs 30 – if you haven’t read my thoughts on the book of Proverbs yet, you’ll want to do so here. This isn’t a comprehensive look at each verse, but it is how God spoke to me through particular chapter of His Word at this particular chapter in my life. I encourage you to read the full chapter in your own Bible first so you can see how God wants to speak to you through this chapter, and so you don’t miss out on the verses I didn’t cover. I hope it can speak to you as well, and I hope you are encouraged to seek Him in His Word. And if you missed Proverbs 29, you should also check that out here. Otherwise, on to Proverbs 30!

Side note – Chapter 30 of Proverbs was not written by Solomon, as the last 29 chapters were, but by a man named Agur. As such, the style of writing is much different than what we are used to seeing in Proverbs.

30:2-3 – I am more stupid than any other person, and I lack a human’s ability to understand. I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One (CSB). This is not a verse saying that the beginning of Proverbs is untrue, that we cannot learn wisdom. It is a comparison verse. The writer is saying here that compared to God’s wisdom and knowledge and understanding, we cannot even begin to comprehend anything of this life. It is not saying that wisdom cannot be attained or that God doesn’t give us wisdom, but rather acknowledging God’s immense greatness. Which, to me, is very encouraging to know, and also try to wrap my mind around, the truth that God is so much more knowledgeable and wise than I could even partially imagine. Our God is a good God and he understands the depths of our being, and knew how to create the earth, and thus, how the world works. It is good to be known and seen, isn’t it? Prayer – God, thank you for being so much bigger than me. Teach me how to hand over troubles to you, which are so small compared to everything you know. Thank you for still caring about me and my challenges. Teach me to rest in your greatness.

30:4 – This verse is a poetical rhetoric of God’s greatness and vastness to emphasize verses 2-3. I recommend reading it as well.

30:5 – Every word of God is pure. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him (CSB). Every word of God is pure – that means we can trust in him and in what he says. God’s thoughts are pure toward us. There is no malice or ulterior motive in his mind when he thinks of us. His only thought is his love for us, and how he wants us to grow in relationship with him and he wants to give us fulfilling lives. When we trust that is true of God, then we start to take refuge in him, and he will protect us from any storm, whether it is a storm within our souls or a storm of external circumstances. Prayer – God, I thank you that your word and your thoughts toward me are pure. Teach me how to trust you in that. Teach me how to take refuge in you.

30:6 – Don’t add to his words, or he will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar (CSB). This verse always places a holy fear in me as I write about God’s Word. I never ever want to add to God’s Word in a dishonoring or untrue way. I actually wrestled with this verse for awhile, wondering if I shouldn’t be writing about God’s Words, but then God showed me how his Word also says, According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, then teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6-8). If someone has a gift of teaching, or enjoys teaching, then they should practice it, and use it, and steward it well to make it better. And there are many more gifts listed aside from teaching. But what isn’t listed is ‘the gift of reading the Bible out loud to other people.’ That was when I realized it was okay to teach on God’s Word, not trying to add to it – I certainly do not hold my words about the Bible as anywhere near the same caliber as the inspired Word of God. But, if I can explain how God’s Word has spoken to me in my life, and help someone else understand the Bible more, or inspire others to read God’s Word more for themselves – that is my aim: to push others closer to Christ. We are all a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. I want to live life on purpose with you, friend. Prayer – God, I come to my knees humbly before you. I pray I will never add to your words. Keep me from leading others astray from your Word through error in my words. Keep me from misinterpreting your Word. Let anything and everything I say and do point others to you and your Word.

30:7-9 – O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name (NLT). Goodness, that is most certainly prayer as well. Wealth and poverty both have their dangers. From a global perspective, just living in the United States puts us in the wealthy category. But my prayer is still that I never lose sight of God and the grace he has extended me in my life and that I would not tell falsehoods to turn others away from him.

30:15 – The leech has two daughters; they cry, “Give! Give!” (CJB) Prayer – God, teach me to examine my heart. Show me when I am relentlessly crying and asking for more anything. Keep me from falling into the trap of ‘not enough’ – not enough time, not enough training, not enough money, my house isn’t good enough, my spouse isn’t good enough, my children aren’t good enough. Show me to have a reflex of thankfulness for the blessings and the ‘enough’ that you have already granted me.

30:18-19 – Three things are too wondrous for me; four I can’t understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a young woman (CSB). Prayer – God, may I never lose my wonder at the greatness of your Creation. Increase my fascination with the way you have made this world. Thank you for all the magnificence of your creation, from the overwhelming height of mountains, to the depths of the ocean, to the power of the wind, to the softness of a flower petal, or the finite detail on the wing of a dragonfly. Let me never stop praising you and looking to your glory when I am in your Creation.

30:24-25 – Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: ants are not a strong people, yet they store up their food in summer… (CSB). Prayer – God, teach me how to steward my resources of time and money and energy well and plan for time when I will not have as many resources.

30:26 – …hyraxes are not a mighty people, yet they make their homes in the cliffs… (CSB). Prayer – God, teach me how to build and fortify my home well – mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

30:27 – locusts have no king, yet all of them march in ranks… (CSB). Prayer – God, teach me how to work well in community. Show me how to support those next to me and not cause them to trip or falter.

30:28 – …a lizard can be caught in your hands, yet lives in kings’ palaces (CSB). Prayer – God, I acknowledge that I am vulnerable. Thank you for welcoming me into your kingdom and your palace and your family. Show me what that really means in my every-day life – to be part of your kingdom.

30:32 – If you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you’ve been scheming, put your hand over your mouth (CSB). This makes me laugh because sometimes, the only way to keep from talking is to physically restrain ourselves – appearing to be deep in thought and resting our hand over our mouth while nodding in agreement with whoever is speaking or resting a chin in our hand to keep our mouth closed. I’ve personally found those to be great physical restraints for me to keep my mouth silent, listen better, and not exalt myself to everyone with how ‘smart’ I think I might be. Prayer – God, help just stay silent and learn to think before I speak. Teach me to evaluate everything I say before I say it, so that I can remove any pretension or thoughts of self-exaltation. Let me offer good counsel and wise advice for your glory and not my own.

Friend, I have prayed these same prayers over you today. I pray you continue to seek God’s Word and his wisdom. I pray you will always find wonder in God’s Word and his Creation. May you gain more and more self-control and kindness and peace in your life each passing day.

Until next time,

– Just a girl pursuing her reflection in the mirror of God’s Word

Scripture quotations marked (CJB) are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, Copyright © 1998 and 2016 by David H. Stern. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are taken from the Christian Standard Bible® Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.