If You Have Done Foolishly - Proverbs 30:32

In the book of Proverbs Agur said, “There be three things which go well, yes, four are comely in going; A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turns not away for any. A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up”, and in chapter thirty and verse thirty-two of Proverbs Agur shared what to do, “if you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself” where we read,

If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself,

or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth.

The verse begins, “If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, ...” Agur began with the words, “if you have done foolishly” or “whether and in case you, Agur's readers and listeners, have been senseless, contemptible and vile” “in lifting up yourself” which means “in supporting, sustaining and exalting your, Agur's readers and listeners, own selves”. Agur considered the idea of his readers and listeners exalting their own selves. 

The verse continues, “... or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth.” Agur added the words, “or if you have thought evil” or “or whether and in case you, Agur's listeners and readers', have devised, planned, considered and imagined plots of bad or wickedness”, “lay your hand upon your mouth” which means “cover the orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking”. Agur instructed his readers and listeners to cover their “mouths” if they imagined or made wicked plans.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Agur what we are to do in case we exalt ourselves or make wicked plans within our minds. We are to keep our mouths shut. God knows we make foolish decisions sometimes, and other times wicked thoughts come into our minds. (See 2 Corinthians 10:5) We are much better off not to talk about them when they do, and we are able to commit them all to God through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and purify our ways and thoughts while we “cover our mouths” and follow Him.

Next time Agur says, “surely the churning of milk brings forth butter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".