Solomon wrote most of the Proverbs – except chapter 30, which was written by a little- known author named Agur, son of Jakeh, for his two protégés, Ithiel and Ucal.
In any sincere endeavor of Bible exploration, one faces the fascination of discovery that inevitably leads to other pathways and to an understanding that there’s never closure – only continual aperture. Agur was a gatherer of wisdom and /or wise sayings. With the influence of the Spirit, he had an opportunity to scribe these words, and he seized the opportunity with gusto.
He began with six robust questions about God… and God’s son, foreshadowing the new Testament concepts of “Abba” and “Emmanuel.” He then warned of the importance of honoring God’s Word without excess or denigration (no adding to or taking away from it).
As we continue in this chapter, we come to Agur’s prayer for his life, where he asks for only 2 things. We then find interspersed passages he has formatted with collections of 3 plus a 4th thing to consider. Mixed among these are 5 additional sayings collected by Agur to be considered as wisdom.
If we take the liberty of arranging these gathered truths from the chapter numerically, the list might look like this:
1 thing… the purity and authority of God’s Word [vv.5-6]
2 things… in a prayer [vv.7-9]
3 things and 4 concerning observations on God and life [vv.15-16;18-19;21-23;24-28;29-31]
5 other things [vv.10; 11-14;17;20;32-33]
6 grand questions about God and His Son – all in verse 4.
Let’s conclude this journey with Agur by looking at what we’ve listed above as 2, 3-4, and 5, since we’ve already explored 1 and 6, from the first 6 verses of Proverbs 30.
TWO THINGS
Agur prays first that he would be insulated from the atmosphere of the world and anything that would deaden his heart toward God. Then he prays for God to graciously preserve him from the extremes of wealth and poverty, lest he deny his dependency on God or resort to dishonesty in failing to trust in God’s provision. vv.7-9
“THREE THINGS AND FOUR”
There are five examples of this unique rhetorical device of naming 3 things then adding a 4th. It may be used as a reminder that, when we ponder the things of God, there’s always going to be more to discover. This stylistic formula might also be an invitation to add to our own wisdom by looking for more instances of these realities around us.
vv.15-16 The grave, the barren womb, the parched earth, and a raging fire are examples of insatiable realities, never satisfied, never ending of their own capacity.
vv.18-19 The eagle in the air, a serpent on a rock, a ship in the sea, and the way of a man with a maid are all inscrutable mysteries, as we see no obvious evidence of what moves them.
vv. 21-23 These are times when overturned roles produce constant agitation. The intolerable situations listed include a servant being given the authority, fools becoming rich, an unfaithful woman getting married, and a mistress replacing a faithful wife.
vv. 24-28 We see how ingenious tiny things on the earth can be…. Ants prepare for their food, rock badgers make their homes in high places, locusts move forward by rank yet have no leader, and spiders skillfully weave their webs to hang in the palaces of kings.
vv. 29-31 There are those who seem like stately monarchs, going about with beauty and integrity: the lion, strongest among other beasts; the war horse; the male goat; and a king who rules well.
FIVE MORE THINGS
Agur has more to say, as he gathers and intersperses these remaining concepts of wisdom through his writing.
Exercise caution when sharing denigrating information about someone. It may boomerang back on you. [vv.10]
Starting each statement with “there is a generation,” he shows how these displays of evil can manifest themselves in multiple ways. [vv. 11-14]
Disrespect for authority has cruel consequences and begins with one’s attitude toward parents. [vv.17]
Beware the inventive and crafty ways of deception and seduction. [vv. 20]
A final warning against self-exaltation and the careless denigration of others. [vv.32-33]
The pursuit through this chapter has been enlightening as well as exhausting…
WHEW!