Proverbs Study – Lesson 47 (Proverbs chapter 30:1-5, 6-9)
Read Prov. 30:1-5 again. Last week we took a look at these verses and were reminded of some important precepts when attempting to understand and apply true wisdom…that is the wisdom for life and its practical application that comes from God. We saw that practical wisdom that comes from God goes deeper than just taking a few steps to accomplish the goal…attempting to paying the price to purchase wisdom so to speak. The wisdom that God speaks of is only obtained through humility and comes through a recognition that it is a gift given by a Living God. In the process of searching it out we come to a place of awe and reverence seeing the God and Creator of this wisdom prompting us to realize our dependence upon Him.
Again in the first part of this chapter we are reminded of one of the few but most important steps in obtaining and understanding this wisdom…i.e. the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In applying this principle there is a recognition that God does exist and can be approached and in actuality in the process of searching out and applying this wisdom we can have interaction and a relationship with this God. We saw this last week when we took a look at Job’s search for answers in Job chapters 38-40:5. In that passage we saw a dialog between a real God and Job a man. In searching out wisdom we may be able to understand it with our human heart for we were made for it, but it is doubtful that we can truly establish it without His, God’s, help.
In Hebrews 11:6 we see another essential ingredient where it says, But without faith it is impossible to please God; for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that God Himself is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. May I say that this reward is Godly wisdom…that is knowledge of the Holy. In v. 3 Agur claimed that he was still in the process of obtaining this wisdom of the Holy.
If we take the time to stop and reflect on V. 4 in this chapter for a moment we see some interesting statements by Agur that we cannot pass up of where this search and journey for wisdom led him:
· First he comes to the point where he recognizes the bigness of God especially as compared to man. He mentions three things that are out of the realm of man and must be attributed to some being.
· Next he notices that it appears to him that he sees and recognizes that there appears to be a Person and personality behind the forces and phenomena of nature. Natural man approaches such phenomena with the perspective of separating out the phenomena from God just wanting to know why it is and why it works so. But, Agur chooses to worship instead recognizing and reverencing the God behind the phenomena.
It is interesting that in this verse he also challenges us to search out the Name of this Person, and of particular interest he asks the question of His Son’s Name. Wow! This verse intrigues me. In stating this it immediately points me to Jesus and the calming of the sea found in Matt 8:23-7. He also makes reference to the establishing the ends of the earth in which Jesus is given credit for this in Jn. 1:3,10. Many Bible commentators although careful not to take this verse and run with it dogmatically tagging this definitively as a direct reference to Christ make the point that the shoe so to speak fits and is not only representative of God, but also of the Son of God. But, did Agur actually state this here with that in mind. Although some may have opinions, it is not completely clear as to his intent.
In vs. 5 and 6 he reminds us of the reverence that we should have for the completeness of God’s Word being complete in its own wisdom being able to stand on its own encouraging us to be careful not to twist it and its meaning for our own selfish benefit. In the beginning of v. 5 other translations translate what the KJV translates as ‘Every word of God is pure’ saying that these precepts have been pretested or tried out by God and have been found to be solid and complete being flawless, lacking nothing. The Douay-Rhelms translation says ‘Every word of God is fire tried’ and the American Standard translates it as ‘Every word of God is tested’ by God to be sure that it is right. Understanding this and believing this allows us to apply what is said with confidence and hold on to the truth long enough to see its reality in our life. V. 6 reminds us that God does take the truth of His word seriously warning us of the consequences of speaking on God’s behalf inappropriately (Reference the DeHann article http://beenthinking.org/articles/the-wisdom-of-agur/).
In verses 7-9 after laying the framework on which to place such wonderful and clean principles he, Agur, begins his instruction. When reflecting on the previous verses of this chapter after hearing what he said we could go home and need no more to prompt our search for Life and its Purpose. The journey to figure out and search out the things of the first six verses of this chapter could not only take a lifetime, but may be a journey that lasts all eternity.
But, there is more! He begins in v. 7 with the same spirit of the previous verses assuming nothing…having his heart open before the Lord waiting for the answers. Even with all that this man Agur knew and had learned he had to admit that he still did not fully understand and still desired a full and complete answer and picture of these two things he named here. It is interesting that his request was to have learned these things before he died. It is interesting that he was willing to take the time to really understand the TRUTH about them not just incomplete surface level concepts of it. It was Paul Harvey that had a segment of his news cast where he told what you might think was a news worthy event seeming complete with enough details. But, then you would hear those famous words. He would say, but here is the rest of the story making the ending more meaningful and different than what you had thought. Are we willing to do the same?? Are we willing in our culture today to wait till we have all the facts that we can represent the Truth fully and accurately? If our media was only founded on this principle where would our world be? As representatives of God it is important that we get it right.
In v. 7-9 it is interesting to see the two topics that he chose to hang all of his life on. The first he asks for is that vanity and lies are removed from him. What would the world be like if everyone had this perspective? Think of it. If you were having a conversation with a friend or acquaintance and could take everything at face value how much easier would that be when responding back to their comment or question. Let us be clear here. Agur was not actually asking that vanity and lies be removed from the earth,..as much as he probably would have liked to see it. But, he was asking it for himself as well as those around him, and in stating it to his students he was saying to them that they should consider asking and seeking the same.
Agur understood the depth of the problem of vanity which in essence finds its root in Pride, one of the things that God hates. Agur strove to be a straight forward person. In today’s terms we would call that a ‘real person’, being so called transparent with no ‘hidden’ agendas. HOW REFRESSING!
The second thing that he asks for is a attitude and place in life where he is neither discouraged in life because of its oppressive toughness or fat and haughty because of abundance. As a truly wise and honest with himself man he realized two things about himself in life. He says, let’s be honest…Being dirt poor in life is no fun. In actuality he gives the impression that he does not want to be in this position too long unless absolutely ordained so by God. Although some may survive poverty, most don’t. Agur had observed what poverty did to people. He observed that poverty for many was not always a spiritual experience saying in v. 9 that it often drives those in this state to steal and curse God. Agur’s observation concerning poverty was not much different than the effects of having money and wealth. Whether you have a lot or have nothing or near nothing the problem is the same. It seems that no matter how much you have you always want a little or even a lot more, and, if you don’t have it and it doesn’t look like you will get in the near future it is man’s nature to blame God for the it.
He reminds us also in v. 9 that being full is not always a good thing. Having needs is actually a healthy place to be in life. He said that in being there we, if we have the right attitude and perspective, are prompted by them, that is by those needs, to call upon God to supply them. And, having in time receiving our needs and sometimes our wants, having just asked God for them we can thank Him for providing them. He, Agur, in essence asks for no more than daily bread and sustenance. If this verse were taken by itself some would say he is saying we shouldn’t plan for tomorrow. But, the rest of Proverbs would deny this thought or concept. But, he would say that you can have too much and have the attitude of being self sufficient needing neither God nor man. In Matt. Chapter 6 Jesus stated a similar perspective as Agur. Jesus, like Agur, in actuality was encouraging our dependence upon God reminding us that things often fail.
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