Proverbs 30- What we can learn from Agur
I searched Google for “average dude” and this was the image I got
We know quite a bit about Solomon- he built the temple and was famously rich and wise. I still remember the flannel board story of the two women who bring the child before him- “cut the child in half and give each woman a piece!”[1]. Hezekiah (particularly if you consider it from the perspective of a Jewish audience) was just as famous. He repaired the temple, defeated enemies and reunited Israel. Notably, he prayed and cried out to God in faith and 15 years was added to his life[2]. But I was curious about the other two men “featured” in Proverbs and one of them is the subject of this blog- Agur.
The tl;dr version on Agur is that we really don’t know anything about him. The only time Agur (or Jakeh[3]) is mentioned in the Bible is here. His name possibly came from the Hebrew for “collector”. Otherwise, we have to look to the text. He was obviously tired (30.1) and from his request that he be made neither rich or poor, we can surmise that he was what we might consider middle class[4]. Agur didn’t think much of his own intellect (see 30.2&3). He was what I would call an “average dude”, yet we find his sayings in the Bible alongside Solomon’s and Hezekiah’s. This weary, normal, middle-of-the-road guy has these profound thoughts and that is intriguing to me. He has, as v 1 tells us, an inspired utterance that we are still reading today and I want to know why he received this wisdom and what we can learn from it.
Why: I think the key to Agur’s divinely-inspired wisdom comes from humility. We think back to Proverbs 1.7 and “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”. All of the sermon’s and the studying we have (and will) be doing remind us that true wisdom can only come from God. Agur is aware of this and recognizes that ultimate source of it[5]. This humility allows him to accept there are some things he will never understand (see 30.18-20), but profoundly ask that he just be given his daily bread (v 8[6]) and that lies and falsehood be kept from him. To me, this echoes the request of Solomon when he asks for wisdom instead of riches. Agur fears God and in his humble state gains insight into great wisdom.
What: So what can we learn from this? Related to how Agur receives wisdom, and a reoccurring theme throughout Proverbs, is that we must stay humble (v 11-13). In warning us not to put ourselves above others, we are reminded to treat others well (v 10, 14, 32[7]). We should not needlessly make others angry (v 32) and we should treat our parents with respect (v 17). Finally, I think that Agur tells us we should learn from God’s creation and experience His presence in the world He has made (24-28).
This week in our men’s independent study we are looking at thematic issues in Proverbs. When Agur says “Surely I am only a brute, not a man” (v 1), he summarizes that great theme that without God there is no real wisdom. In your prayers this week, and all throughout this series, we hope you are earnestly praying for wisdom- for yourself, for your family and friends, and for all of us at FCC Grayson. It is something we all need. If there is anything else you need prayer about, please let us know. Spring is just about here and we can’t wait to celebrate Easter week here at the church. Have a great week. – FCC Men’s Ministry
[1] 1 Kings 3.16-28
[2] Isaiah chap 38. For more on Hezekiah, who was a man of prayer and who really trusted in God, see 2 Kings. I feel like he is one of those Old Testament characters we sometimes gloss over, but we should really be studying.
[3] Or Ithiel or Ucal, for that matter
[4] See 30 8&9
[5] See 30.2-4. Thinking back to Pastor Ben’s sermon and the idea that true wisdom is ultimately found in Jesus, read verse 4 and compare with Rev 19.12
[6] Compare with Matthew 6.11!
[7] Cf v 29&30
I searched Google for “average dude” and this was the image I got
We know quite a bit about Solomon- he built the temple and was famously rich and wise. I still remember the flannel board story of the two women who bring the child before him- “cut the child in half and give each woman a piece!”[1]. Hezekiah (particularly if you consider it from the perspective of a Jewish audience) was just as famous. He repaired the temple, defeated enemies and reunited Israel. Notably, he prayed and cried out to God in faith and 15 years was added to his life[2]. But I was curious about the other two men “featured” in Proverbs and one of them is the subject of this blog- Agur.
The tl;dr version on Agur is that we really don’t know anything about him. The only time Agur (or Jakeh[3]) is mentioned in the Bible is here. His name possibly came from the Hebrew for “collector”. Otherwise, we have to look to the text. He was obviously tired (30.1) and from his request that he be made neither rich or poor, we can surmise that he was what we might consider middle class[4]. Agur didn’t think much of his own intellect (see 30.2&3). He was what I would call an “average dude”, yet we find his sayings in the Bible alongside Solomon’s and Hezekiah’s. This weary, normal, middle-of-the-road guy has these profound thoughts and that is intriguing to me. He has, as v 1 tells us, an inspired utterance that we are still reading today and I want to know why he received this wisdom and what we can learn from it.
Why: I think the key to Agur’s divinely-inspired wisdom comes from humility. We think back to Proverbs 1.7 and “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”. All of the sermon’s and the studying we have (and will) be doing remind us that true wisdom can only come from God. Agur is aware of this and recognizes that ultimate source of it[5]. This humility allows him to accept there are some things he will never understand (see 30.18-20), but profoundly ask that he just be given his daily bread (v 8[6]) and that lies and falsehood be kept from him. To me, this echoes the request of Solomon when he asks for wisdom instead of riches. Agur fears God and in his humble state gains insight into great wisdom.
What: So what can we learn from this? Related to how Agur receives wisdom, and a reoccurring theme throughout Proverbs, is that we must stay humble (v 11-13). In warning us not to put ourselves above others, we are reminded to treat others well (v 10, 14, 32[7]). We should not needlessly make others angry (v 32) and we should treat our parents with respect (v 17). Finally, I think that Agur tells us we should learn from God’s creation and experience His presence in the world He has made (24-28).
This week in our men’s independent study we are looking at thematic issues in Proverbs. When Agur says “Surely I am only a brute, not a man” (v 1), he summarizes that great theme that without God there is no real wisdom. In your prayers this week, and all throughout this series, we hope you are earnestly praying for wisdom- for yourself, for your family and friends, and for all of us at FCC Grayson. It is something we all need. If there is anything else you need prayer about, please let us know. Spring is just about here and we can’t wait to celebrate Easter week here at the church. Have a great week. – FCC Men’s Ministry
[1] 1 Kings 3.16-28
[2] Isaiah chap 38. For more on Hezekiah, who was a man of prayer and who really trusted in God, see 2 Kings. I feel like he is one of those Old Testament characters we sometimes gloss over, but we should really be studying.
[3] Or Ithiel or Ucal, for that matter
[4] See 30 8&9
[5] See 30.2-4. Thinking back to Pastor Ben’s sermon and the idea that true wisdom is ultimately found in Jesus, read verse 4 and compare with Rev 19.12
[6] Compare with Matthew 6.11!
[7] Cf v 29&30
1 Comment
Great observation. Very timely information. Thankful for the encouragement and loving this series.