“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!)
Finally I can comment!
But now I forget what I wanted to say. LOL
Oh well. Love these Wednesday Bible studies.
I have music playing. Carrie Underwood's "Just a Dream" is playing right now
Always love your Biblical insights, Jess. I'm cracking up at the image of you in front of your screen, hovering your mouse over the google bar considering the word "loins". lol. =)
Yeah, I don't want to look up loins either! And, is this wrong, but when I read that we'll be looking at "male goats," I snickered. It just seemed funny!
I'm listening to Dave Matthew's Bands cuz I feel like it!
Jennifer: I do that all the time–want to say something then forget. Or go to the kitchen and forget why! 🙂
Michelle: I'm not kidding, I was hesitant to do it! But hey, it had to be done!
Jill: Now that you mention it and I think about it…it does sound pretty funny!! I love Dave Matthews!
I never knew there was a Hebrew term for greyhound that was different than ours. It's amazing what you discover when you delve deep into the Bible!
Thank you for the second installment. The Scriptures you've referenced have been uplifting to me!
I'm not listening to my ipod now, but it's set to play a Miles Davis track.
This is awesome! Service is something God is really working on me about right now. It's funny we both went there, huh?
My iPod isn't on right now, but the last thing I was listening to on it was Manafest's new CD. Yep. Nice and loud.
Wonderful verses!
I'm not listening to anything right now.
Not listening to anything right now. I do listen to the radio when I'm in the car, but that's about it. Or sometimes I'll sing snatches of songs with my kids in the room. 🙂
I can finally comment again after Bloggers hiccups…
You knew I would love this post. Being the owner of a retired runner, who, btw, looks like that #8 in the picture…I understand the loins part. Yes, we need the enduring strength for service.
I'm listening to the wind blow outside.
As always, great post!
I love your Wednesday posts, Jessica. I alway come away with something wonderful!
I remember a friend's wife commenting on this chapter years ago at our weekly meeting. She wondered, "Well, what does the man do?"
Reading onward … "Her husband is respected at the city gate where he takes his seat among the elders of the land."
It fit well. Her husband was one who could not stop talking.
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