Proverbs 30:29-33

Proverbs 30:29-33
​English Standard Version
29 Three things are stately in their tread;
    four are stately in their stride:
30 the lion, which is mightiest among beasts
    and does not turn back before any;
31 the strutting rooster, the he-goat,
    and a king whose army is with him.

32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
    or if you have been devising evil,
    put your hand on your mouth.
33 For pressing milk produces curds,
    pressing the nose produces blood,
    and pressing anger produces strife.

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The writer continues to make lists of things with a common attribute...this time things that are stately (we might say things that are proud).  First is the lion--the king of the jungle and an apex predator at the top of the food chain among all land-dwelling animals.  He struts and strides like he is king, and no one dares challenge the lion or the lioness for that position.

The second is the rooster.  It also struts and is very proud.  It makes much noise, and he challenges anyone that would come for his hens to have to fight him.  The goal also is a proud animal that climbs any hill or mountain to take his place at the top.  Few, if any, can take his place as king of the mountain.

Last, but certainly not least is the king who is defended and protected by his army.  He feels safe and secure and on top of the world like he can conquer anyone or anything that challenges him.  Notice that all the animals rely on their own strength, but the king's strength is found in the might and number of the other men who serve and protect him.  Without his army to fight for him and protect him, he is nothing.

That is why the next part talks about how foolish it is to exalt yourself--to be haughty in spirit.  It is right there alongside those who knowingly do evil.  It is an offense to God as we should be relying on Him for our strength and our defense.  The writer tells such proud and wicked people to put their hand over their mouth and to be silent and stop sinning.  God will apply unconfutable pressure to humiliate us when we are proud.  The sooner the person yields, the better for them as otherwise the proud person will become angry and then will break out in strife as they start to take their anger against God and their pain and suffering out on others around them (they can't reach out and touch God, so they instead raise their hand against His people and those made in His image).  Learn from the pain and stop the cycle.  Repent before you go through the downward spiral of Romans 1.  "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."