Proverbs 30:29-31 Sure-footed leadership

²⁹ “There are three things that are stately in their stride,
    four that move with stately bearing:
³⁰ a lion, mighty among beasts,
    who retreats before nothing;
³¹ a strutting rooster, a he-goat,
    and a king secure against revolt.

You may be thinking to yourself, what is Snoodles thinking? We have learned some qualities of animals that we should try to imitate in other verses, but now . . . a goat?

Yes, a goat. Specifically, a "he-goat" is what Agur refers to.

Let's look closely at this. There are two things that come to my mind as I study this animal. One, is his sure-footedness, and the other is his leadership.
First, his sure-footedness.The goat, whether he is a domesticated animal or a mountain-dweller, is gifted by God with a nimbleness that is pretty awe-inspiring. Mountain goats can traverse tiny rock ledges and jump from foot-hold to foot-hold, as casually as we walk down a city sidewalk. Their balance and their ability to place their hooves "just so" and maintain their position without hurtling downward is amazing!
The domestic goat tries his best to emulate his wild brother, as I have seen them climb on cars, barns, and the roofs of houses, with just as uncanny an ability, to perform what we would consider death-defying feats of climbing and agility!
He-goats are known to be good leaders, as well. They are always found at the front of the flock, and are excellent patriarchs, guides and protectors of the other goats. They are strong and courageous in their protection of the flock.
Do you see some applications here? I sure do! I long to be able to show sure-footedness like the goat, and I hope that I can be a leader and protector of others, too!
In order to be sure-footed, we must trust God to order our steps.

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Ps 119:133

Here is one that gets right to the point:

²³ The Lord makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in him;
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall, 

upholds him with his hand.  Ps 37:23-24

In Jeremiah 50:8, there is a reference to being in the forefront, the leadership role: ..."be like the goats that lead the flock."
But how?

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!  Philippians 2:3-8

There's true leadership!