Proverbs 30:1-4 says,...

Today we start a new chapter in the book of Proverbs so lets open up our Bibles to Proverbs 30:1-4 which read,

v.1 - The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle.  The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

Some believe that Agur is an unknown sage or wise man during the time of Solomon.  We are given his father's name which is Jakeh.  He, like Solomon, was most likely a student of wisdom and gathered sayings of wisdom.  The word "oracle" is translated "burden" but has the weight of the divine so it is used in conjunction to a prophet like Zechariah and Malachi.  Ithiel and Ucal are probably students of Agur and these sayings are written down from them much like Luke in the New Testament was recording the history of Jesus in his gospel and the church history of Acts for Theophilus.  We have 33 verses in this chapter to peer into this teacher sharing insights with his students.

v.2 - Surely I am more stupid than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man.

This is quite an opening for his lesson.  Agur is starting with a statement of humility.  He is lowering himself to raise something or Someone else up.  Those who are wise are able to admit that the wisdom they follow does not come from them.  Wisdom is not dependent on them.  The word "stupid" is a strong word here and many of us deny its use in our homes.  It is always tied in the Scriptures with someone who is acting foolishly.  What is going to come from this sage's mouth is not due to how great he is as a man.  Actually Agur is telling his students that he has really messed up at times.  

v.3 - Neither have I learned wisdom, nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

Where does wisdom come from?  Does it come from man or from God?  This verse ties us into the whole theme of the book of Proverbs given throughout but let's let Proverbs 9:10 remind us which reads, 

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

These wise sayings are not Agur's but they are God's.  Agur is speaking them but the wisdom is all attributed to the Holy One.  He didn't just pick these up by attending an online class but rather by submitting to the One who gives knowledge and wisdom.  He is in no way equal in any sense to God.  Again, Agur is lowering himself much like John the Baptist in front of Jesus.  "I must decrease and He must increase." Agur uses the extremes to make the point so his students look to God rather than to him.  He is telling them to not bow down to him.  One last cross reference is found in 1 Corinthians 8:2 and 3.  Listen to the similarity.  

"If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it.  But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him."

v.4 - Who has ascended into heaven and descended:  Who has gathered the wind in His fists?  Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?  Who has established all the ends of the earth?  What is His name or His son's name?  Surely you know!

This verse reminds us of the questions that God gave to Job.  Who can ascend into heaven and also descend from there?  Who has control of the wind and the waves?  Who has put the world in space as the old hymn phrases it?  The answer to all of these is God and God alone.  This is why when Jesus calms the wind and waves, He controls them, that the disciples are so afraid because only God can do those kind of things.  Wisdom is and comes from the One who can do these things.

Agur then gives us that one "what" question.  He not only speaks of God but also brings up His Son.  A man can not be the "who" but he can know the "what" of knowing God's Son's name and of course that is Jesus.  We are allowed to know God's Son's name because God out of love sent Him to us.  He made Himself known to us so we can know Him by name as the God of the universe knows ours.  1000 years prior to the coming of God's Son as a baby in the manger, Agur tells his students that God has a Son whose name can be known.  I can't be God but I can know God's Son.  

Do our lives point to Jesus?  Do we acknowledge where our words and ways come from?  Do we play down ourselves to play up God?  In our world of "pat myself on my back because I am so great" do I go against the flow and lower myself so people can see Jesus?  It might seem extreme or so harmful to the self-image but we will be following those who came before us wanting to make sure that they were not the ones to be praised but the One who you can know His name, Jesus!  Let us pray.

"Lord, help us to keep pointing to You.  In comparison, we are stupid and look as if we don't know.  We may be called a teacher or a mentor to others but that is absolutely nothing in compared to You as Teacher.  May we deflect any praise to You today as we follow after You and get to say the name of God's Son that we are able to know because of Your great love for us.  Amen."

Pastor Adam