We have been exploring one of the many fascinating features of the Bible: the lives and backgrounds of those God chose to pen, or “scribe,” these 66 books. Frequent readers are familiar with most of the writers, but we’re surprised by others. Some authors are anonymous, so we can only speculate. The first posts in this series established that some books, like Psalms, have multiple writers. The second half of this series focuses on one of the writers of Proverbs – not Solomon.
This writer was guided by the Spirit to write what we read as Proverbs 30. His name is Agur, and he squeezed the nectar out of the opportunity afforded him!
We have already introduced Agur, his father Jakeh, and his two proteges, Ithiel and Ucal. We saw how the meanings of their names provided us with a premise for the rest of this passage. Just wait and see what else he has to say! His moment of opportunity was brief, yet intensely significant.
WARNING: the deeper we go into this passage, the more profound will be our urge to keep exploring.
Agur has a keen awareness that his prophecy… oracle… burden… is that which he is compelled to share and is actually the revelation of God through him. He immediately and humbly diminishes his own understanding, wisdom, or knowledge of the Holy One. He then proceeds to one of the most profound series of questions written by any human in the Old Testament. Notice the progression of the questions from intensity to intimacy.
Question 1 “Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended?” Jesus would be the one to answer this question, as he told Nicodemus in John 3:13, “no man has ascended up into heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven.” Christ told Nathaniel, “You shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (John 1:51) Jacob, long ago in a dream saw a great ladder with angels ascending and descending on it (Gen 28:12). That ladder was and is Christ. Agur looks back to Genesis and propels us toward Christ.
Question 2 “Who has gathered the wind in His fist?” All weather events and patterns are in God’s control!
Question 3 “Who has bound the waters in a garment?” In Agur’s day, he was profoundly aware that there had been a worldwide flood. And we should be aware that conditions still exist where this is possible, except that it will not happen, because God has promised that it will not (Genesis 9:11&15; Psalm 104:8-9). Notice that the faith of Agur looks back historically and forward to the promises of God.
Question 4 “Who has established the ends of the earth?” Isaiah states, “ My hands laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spanned the heavens; when I call to them, they stand up together.” If God’s promise shows He determines the bounds of the waters, the land areas have also been determined.
Obviously, Agur knows the answers to the previous four rhetorical questions… with the
exception of the prophetic insinuations. He knew of God, named Elohim, the great God of creation.
He was even familiar with Jehovah, God’s name used by Moses and the patriarchs.
But one name had not been revealed, and that leads us to the next question….
Question 5 “What is His name?” Never in the Old Testament had its writers referred to God as “Father”! Christ called God, “Father,” and He told us to do so as well. He addressed God as Father consistently throughout His prayer in John 17:1-26, and He calls to God crying “Abba Father” in Gethsemane. And it would be true that, by our own adoption through Christ into God’s family, we can address Him as the same. “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.” (Gal 4:6) And when we pray, we call to “Our Father.” (Matthew 6:9) The “Father” concept had not been revealed in the Old Testament. So, you see the impact of Agur’s question!
Question 6 “What is His Son’s name, if you can tell?” How did Agur know that God had a Son? God had revealed Himself as the One and only true God in Deuteronomy 6:4 and Isaiah 45:5. he was probably acquainted with David’s reference to “God’s Son” in Psalm 2:7&12. But, ‘what is His name?’! Isaiah’s prophecy was yet to come, calling the Son “Immanuel” in Isaiah 7:14, “God with us!” God, but also a man. That would not be His only name. Look at Isaiah 9:6… “the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Looking farther into the future He is called “Jesus” (Mt 1:20-21; Lk 1:35) and “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev. 19:16). And there’s so much more. Agur’s question is pregnant with meaning!
Following these profound and provocative questions, Agur makes another monumental statement with a warning attached. In verses 5 and 6, he states that all of God’s Word is pure, without error or excess. It is dangerous to presume to change them in any way (Rev 22:18-19 and I Tim 3:16). The Word is true from the beginning, and it endures forever!
These are only the first 6 verses…. There are 33 verse in the chapter. We may be onto something. We cannot stop now!