At Upward Look
09.25.24
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal. (Proverbs 30:1)
We have walked through the first nine chapters of the Book of Proverbs. The next twenty chapters address important topics [money, wisdom, the home, proper speech, etc.], and perhaps we will consider those at a later time. At present, we are going to jump ahead to the final two chapters, both of which are a little easier to work with.
Proverbs 30 appears to have been penned by Agur. The theme that ties his words all together is the frequent reference to God’s creation.
Agur first takes an upward look (1-9), and then he looks outward (10-33). Today we will consider the first of these.
The name ‘Agur’ refers to ‘one who gathers.’ Other than that, we are told little about him. He may have been one of Solomon’s servants. It’s even possible that he could be Solomon himself under a pen name.
He refers to his message as a ‘prophecy.’ This refers to something that is heavy, a burden. We can conclude that we are to take his words seriously.
He tells us something of his own character (2, 3). “Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. We detect two things here. He is humble, aware of his limitations. He is also a ‘curious George.’ As we shall see, he has a great fascination with God’s creation.
He next gives attention to and praise for God. Through a series of rhetorical questions he honors God by reminding us of His power (4)- Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you can tell?(4) Hereby Agur makes mention of God’s creation, His control and, by pointing to His Son, to Calvary.
His next topic is the Word of God (5, 6). Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Do not add unto his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar. He stresses that God’s Word is pure, perfect and therefore trustworthy. The old adage “God said it, I believe it, that settles it,” surely applies. This is so needed in a world of relativism
Agur ends this section with some prayer requests (7-9). Two things have I required of You; deny me them not before I die: remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
His first prayer is for his own words—that they be true. He then prays for his circumstances—that God would provide for him what he needs; no more and no less. If he experiences poverty, he might resent God. Wealth might cause him to forget God. He prays to avoid both of these calamities.
May these practical words of Agur minister to our hearts. As always, if we at Immanuel Baptist Church can be of any help to you, please feel free to call upon us.