Prov. 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
· Explain the imagery of this proverb.
Prov. 26:7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
· What does this mean?
Prov. 27:11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad. Then I will be able to answer my critics.
· And what will that answer be? What might the critics charge?
Prov. 27:14 A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse!
· What’s this proverb trying to say?
Prov. 27:21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.
· What do you think this means?
Prov. 27:23-27 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation. After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears and the mountain grasses are gathered in, your sheep will provide wool for clothing, and your goats will provide the price of a field. And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself, your family, and your servant girls.
· What is the point of this proverb?
· How do you think it applies to you today?
The Sayings of Agur
Prov. 30:24-28 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. Hyraxes—they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks. Locusts—they have no king, but they march in formation. Lizards—they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’ palaces.
· Why all this talk about animals? What do they have to do with being wise?
· Any ideas on what lesson we’re supposed to get from the lizard?
Prov. 30:29-31 There are three things that walk with stately stride—no, four that strut about: the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything; the strutting rooster; the male goat; and a king as he leads his army.
· Why does Agur say, “There are three things…no, four…”
· Why is the king leading an army mentioned last?
· So what is the overall point of this proverb?
Sayings of King Lemuel (and his momma)
Prov. 31:2-9 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and the helpless, and see that they get justice.
· What is the overall idea here? What’s this proverb about?
· What did Lemuel’s momma mean when she said “women ruin kings?”
· What did Lemuel’s momma say about alcohol? What were her reasons?
· In what ways can the church “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves?”
Prov. 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
· Broadly-speaking, there are two things this passage could be about. What are they?
· What things make this woman so attractive…so “good"?
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