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?
Awesome insights, as always. I especially love the assurance it's good to hang out with my gal pals! =) I love the connections you are making each week with these devotionals, what a great way to start my day. I think I especially like the image of the goats on the cliff. Yes, the Lord Almighty has rebirthed us into a new creation that CAN get through life's "rocks and hard places" with His hand to steady us. HE sets our feet upon the rock. PTL!
I find many animals intriguing–chimps, elephants, birds–but for today's question I'll have to go ahead and say the goat, because you've given me a new way to look at them which fascinates me and I'll be mulling it over for awhile.
~Michelle
I have to hand it to you–I didn't know how you were going to pull off the whole "goat" topic, but you did! Excellent post!
Great post…as usual! I think I figured out my comment issue…so, I am back 🙂
What animal do I find the most interesting…and why? Since I do not make a habit of studying animals in general, I would have to say the one that I am near the most often. My dog. She makes me smile. She thinks she is a human. (Sometimes we do too!) She is intuitive, conversational and very loyal. Recently I thought about her reasons for loving us, her family. And I came to this conclusion. She loves us, because we love her. Sound familiar? 🙂
I love this! Getting in and taking a verse apart piece by piece reveals so much.
As for animals… I found our cat (which my grandmother adopted from us when I had our daughter) to be more interesting than most people I know. She had so much personality and definitely believed she was human!
I have to admit, I've never thought of goats this way! We live in the country, and many people have goats clearing the weeds from their property. But I love how you outlined their significance. Thanks!
There's a lot about goats I didn't know. 🙂 I'm not a huge animal lover (beyond cats), but we have bunnies that I like. They're pretty patient and very adorable as babies.
I love this 3-part post you did. Your dedication to the study of God's Word is so evident. Thanks for the inspiring message!
Very insightful, thought-provoking post.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
that verse really spoke to me when I was ghost writing for someone and struggling. Through the verse God told me to persevere. Not to turn back. Thanks for reminding me of that afresh today. (Even if you were actually discussing the goat. lol. I've always had a nonconformist streak, I suppose.)
Thanks everyone for stopping by. I'm glad you left encouraged and loved reading which animals interested you!
I've always had a soft spot for goats, but until now never wanted to be like one. LOL
nike chillemi, signing as anonymous cause Blogger won't let me sign otherwise.
https://waterfallmagazine.com
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