Proverbs 30:17-33

“For three things the earth is perturbed. Yes, for four it cannot bear up: for a servant when he reigns, a fool when he is filled with food, a hateful woman when she is married, and a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.” (Proverbs 30:21–23, NKJV)

There are things in life that should not be. Agur cites four things that the earth cannot endure. It is interesting how human behavior affects creation. These things disrupt God’s natural order.

First, is a servant or slave who becomes king. He lacks the training, wisdom and refinement to handle the responsibilities of ruling others with justice, mercy and humility.

Second, is a fool whose belly is full. Because he is a fool, he has no desire for knowledge or wisdom. Because he is full, he has no desire to work.

Third, is a hateful woman who is married. She will certainly be no joy to live with! But some translations say, “an unloved woman when she is married.” Indeed, it is a great tragedy for a young woman to be deeply in love and to get married only to be unloved after she is married.

Last, is a maidservant who succeeds or supplants her mistress. We have heard of wealthy men who have had affairs with their domestic helpers. This is always reprehensible, and it destroys marriages and families.

With any of these things, the earth groans. These are things that simply should not be. In fact, all of creation is disturbed because of them. How often do we consider this “ripple effect” of our words and actions? May God help us to conform to God’s order of righteousness, which blesses others and benefits all of nature.