In the Word Wednesday: Get Your Strut On, because it’s all about pace Part 3

Today I am answering 5 easy questions on Jill Kemerer’s blog! Come by and say hi!

Okay, on with the show this is it…
“There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk; A lion which is mighty among the beasts and does not turn away from any; A greyhound, and male goat also…” Proverbs 30:29-31

We’ve been looking at the wisdom of Agur in this particular passage. To catch up, you can read Part 1 and Part 2.

Let’s ask the same questions we asked about the lion and the greyhound (which isn’t a bus or a dog!). What’s so special about a goat? Just by looking at the picture, I’d say nothing.

Now I know goats are usually on the left and separated from the sheep in scripture as well as referred to as buckers and sinners, but not so in this particular passage. And this is the passage we’re studying!

Male Goats are a picture of what a Mature Christian should look like.

First of all, they’re social animals.
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42

Goats like to spend time in fellowship with one another. Socializing with other believers is God mandated! How great is that! You never have to feel guilty for hanging with some gal-pals from church. 🙂

Interesting fact: Goats prefer to surround themselves with goats of their same breed in a mixed herd.

Should we become friends with those who don’t know Jesus? YES! Building relationships with unbelievers is an important way to lead someone to Christ. I have lots of friends that are unbelievers. Some I’ve known for years and they don’t go to church, but I guarantee you when there is a crisis in their family–they call me. They ask me to pray.

But I don’t spend my intimate time with them. Why? Because many times and as my mom used to tell me, “It’s easier to be brought down than lift someone up.” I need the iron sharpening iron in my life. So do you. It’s a sign of a mature Christian.

Even when Jesus left the homes of tax collectors and various “sinners” He spent most of His time with 12, and 3 He was even closer with. (Peter, James, and John)

Goats are notorious for undoing closures.

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Don’t let anything lock you up or bind you! There is always a way out.

Goats investigate everything.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

This verse comes at an appropriate time. If what people declare as truth doesn’t line up with scripture, then it’s false. It takes a mature Christian to know this because a mature Christian digs into their word and studies it!

Goats are avid climbers and can hold their balance in precarious places.

“For You have delivered my soul from death.Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” Psalm 56:13 I look at this picture and I think there is no way I could do that, but with God’s strength we can do anything! We can walk anywhere and trust Him to keep us from falling.

Goat’s hooves are made to withstand rocky and small place. They walk with ease. It’s pretty amazing to see them just moving along in scary places with ease.

When our faith is in God, tight places are easier to walk and that’s amazing to those who do not have our faith.

What we’ve learned so far:
1. Know who you are in Christ so 2. You can serve Him. As you serve and study you will 3. Mature in  Christ

It’s not a random order here. Agur listed these things by deliberate design. Next Wednesday we will study the last majestic thing: A king whose troops are with him.

I forgot to announce the winner of Desert gift. Congrats to Sheri Salatin!

Question: What animal do you find most interesting and why?


In the Word Wednesday: Get Your Strut On, because it’s all about pace Part 2

“There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk: A lion, which is mighty among the beasts and does not turn away from any; A greyhound…” Proverbs 30: 29-31

Last week we began looking at four unique things that Agur found majestic and stately. First the lion, which you can read about here.  The lion represented:

Knowing who you are in Christ

Today we’ll pick up with the greyhound. We are NOT talking about the bus. And guess what? We’re not talking about the dog either! This is what I love about the Word of God!

You will always find nuggets of hidden treasure if you’ll search it out!

Now we can take an example from the Greyhound. They’re agile dogs that move at fast and powerful paces. Once you give them a target, they’ll lock in, focus on only that and take off full force. We ought to be that way as well. Focus in on God and pursue Him without abandon. Yes, Greyhounds are to respected.

In this passage, Agur’s wisdom is off the chart.

The word “greyhound” in Hebrew is “mothen.” It means “loins” or “hips” and it could mean an extinct animal–the exact meaning is unknown.

Can I just say, I was hesitant to google images of loins. I stared at the screen for a good long time before I did it. I never found what I was looking for. Did find some things I wasn’t.

What’s so majestic about loins? And how do they walk stately? This makes no sense…or does it?

Loins in the Bible generally represents the seat of strength. Accompanied with “loins” is the phrase, “gird up” meaning to be ready. 

 Exodus 12:11; 1Kings 18:46; 2Kings 4:29 Job 38:3

You’ll find when they were instructed to get ready it was by “girding up their loins”…prepare! The journey would take enduring strength. Even in Job, it took strength to stand before God to hear correction.

Why is enduring strength needed? For service.

Many times, they were to gird up their loins and then required to follow God and do something He commanded. Don’t you know it takes strength to serve! We are commanded today to serve in the body of Christ. There is something you can do. Something God has asked you to do. It will take preparation. 1 Corinthians 12

Proverbs 31:17. You know this woman. The one we dislike to read about because we feel so inadequate (us women anyway). She girds her loins with strength and strengthens her arms. She is ready for a full day of service to God and to her family.

Service is hard. It may require you to give something up. Matthew 19:21

You may have to go where you do not want to go. John 21:18
You may have to wash your betrayer’s feet. John 13:2-5
And it may cost you your life. 1 John 3:16

Enduring service and the strength and preparation required cannot be done on your own.

Even when Elijah girded his loins, the power of the Spirit came upon him to enable him to serve with power and strength.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Like a lion, know who you are in Christ
Gear up, prepare yourself through the Word and time with God for enduring service

Next Wednesday, we’ll look at the male goat.

Question: What’s playing on your iPod, MP3, or CD player right now? (I know, it has nothing to do with the subject. So what!? I wanna know!)