By John Richardson
SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 30:1–4
[1] The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. [2] Surely, I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. [3] I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. [4] Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up 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? Surely you know!
OBSERVATION
Proverbs provide paths to God through knowing Him and obeying Him. Proverbs aren’t promises that equal results but processes that reveal God to man. Almost at the close of the book, chapter 30 introduces a new author, either a scholar of knowledge or a moniker of the proceeding content. Agur son of Jakeh is a man or the name suggests the Hebraic meaning—Agur: gatherer and Jakeh: vomiter. The writer could possibly be a gatherer of wisdom who seeks to speak it out to others. Either understanding will bring us to the fact that his coming words should be deeply considered.
- The writer walks in humility from the first verse. The man is weary, not tired in the sense that he has physically labored or is of considerable age. No, the writer speaks of his weariness in connection to understanding God. He has pursued God, the depth of His wisdom, and has exhausted himself before God. Every reader falls under common conviction if they have pursued God in great depth and realized the finiteness of self. Many live their lives as though God should only remotely be considered. This author is expressing the great depth of God (Romans 11:33). The author writes as if everyone is pursuing God to exhaustion.
- The author continues to portray himself rightly when compared to God. Through his continued searching of God and His wisdom, the writer has fallen to a point of despair that he is “too stupid to be a man.” Not that the author is not a man, but when understanding God, the writer is compelled to this thought. When hearing a child speak simply of something deep, the parent will often feel overwhelmed by their own lack of thought. When we stand looking at God fully, we finally see ourselves clearly.
- In verse 3 the writer introduces the infinity of God. Surely the author has pursued God and wisdom at great length, but when compared to so much more to know about God, the author feels like nothing has been sought. A parallel could be made when a man sits at the edge of an ocean, seeing only 10 miles of shoreline, but knowing that the expanse stretches for thousands of miles (not to mention its depths). All eternity will be spent knowing God more fully, which will take all of eternity.
- The keystone verses in this section are found not in the humility of man (vv.1-3) but the knowledge of God (v. 4). Who on earth has ascended to the heavens of God and come back to earth? The answer of man is simple: “no one”—yet we also know that Jesus the Son of God has ascended and come down from heaven (John 3:13). Who has gathered wind in his fists? No man, but Jesus commands the winds to stop in Mark 4:39. But who wraps the water as their garment? No man can do such a thing, but Jesus is cited as being wrapped in clouds and coming in the clouds (Luke 21:27; Revelation 10:1). Finally, who has established the ends of the earth? Again, man can only observe earth; no man has established it. Colossians 1:15-17 points to Jesus being the creator of all things.
- What is His name? The lack of man’s wisdom compared to God’s moves the writer to continue to probe. Not only that, but the writer asks His Son’s name, not knowing Jesus but seeing if His Son carries the same attributes. Surely God knows the name of the One who saves simple man. The pursuit of God is the best motivation to continually pursue God.
OBEDIENCE
When people have more time to reflect on God and themselves, this proverb provides the path to worship. Submission under the greatness of God can be done when going for a walk. How do you currently know God? How are you getting to know Him more? These questions should permeate the minds of believers.
- Take a walk with a notebook, and write down things about God, questions you have about God, how the outside world speaks of His greatness. Share those things with others in your home or via text/phone.
- Join the proverb writer in walking toward God in humility. Ask God deep questions about life, our current situation, and His plans. Wait for the answers from God, praying for more understanding.
- Set up a plan to read God’s Word daily if you are not currently doing so. Add a friend to the plan for extra accountability.
- Ask God to reveal Himself more each day. Cherish the slower days to join God daily without so many pressing commitments.
PRAYER
Ask God to help you understand Him more fully this week. Confess the limitations you have as a man/woman. Ask God to show you one person with whom to share what you’re learning through this social distancing time.
