Strength vs Wisdom

(Proverbs 30:30 KJV)  A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

To be called a “lion” (3918) is usually seen as a compliment.  I am not sure that is the case here.  Sure the lion is powerful.  Definitely it is stately.  It is to be feared.  It is to be stayed away from.  All that being said, I don’t think I would want to be a lion. 

Why is a lion’s strength necessary?  It is vital in the day-to-day existence it lives.  Lions live in an environment of brute strength and death.  They can relax only while they are strong and are never sure where the next meal is coming from.  Also, they tend to get stuck with the less than prime cuts of meat.  Lions cull the herd.  They take the weak, sick and old.  They catch the slowest.  They get the meat that would be made into hamburger because it is too tough for steak.

So?  As Christians our goal is not to be the lion identified with power.  Our goal is in another passage where it talks about the creatures that demonstrate wisdom and nuance.  Let Jesus be the Lion of Judah.  We are to be His followers.