Unraveling Divine Wisdom
Proverbs 30:1-33
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- To what vehicle would you compare yourself or your lifestyle: Four-wheel drive truck? Nine-passenger van? Speedy sports car? Classic roadster? Comfort sedan? Economy car? All-terrain vehicle? Chauffeur-driven limo? Ambulance? With what features of that car do you identify?
- Where would you like to take you and yours for a day's drive in this vehicle?
#People =
- Agur son of Jakeh
- God
- The generation that curses their father and does not bless their mother
- The generation that is pure in their own eyes yet is not washed from their filth
- The generation—whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives
- The leech and its two daughters
- The horseleech
- The four small yet wise creatures of the earth
#Place =
- Unknown origin of Agur son of Jakeh
- The whole Earth and its wonders
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
The Words of Agur
1The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.a
The man declares, I am weary, O God;
I am weary, O God, and worn out.b
2Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
I have not the understanding of a man.
3I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4Who 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!
5Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
7Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
8Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.
10Do not slander a servant to his master,
lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
11There are thosec who curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers.
12There are those who are clean in their own eyes
but are not washed of their filth.
13There are those—how lofty are their eyes,
how high their eyelids lift!
14There are those whose teeth are swords,
whose fangs are knives,
to devour the poor from off the earth,
the needy from among mankind.
15The leech has two daughters:
Give and Give.d
Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough”:
16Sheol, the barren womb,
the land never satisfied with water,
and the fire that never says, “Enough.”
17The eye that mocks a father
and scorns to obey a mother
will be picked out by the ravens of the valley
and eaten by the vultures.
18Three things are too wonderful for me;
four I do not understand:
19the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a serpent on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a virgin.
20This is the way of an adulteress:
she eats and wipes her mouth
and says, “I have done no wrong.”
21Under three things the earth trembles;
under four it cannot bear up:
22a slave when he becomes king,
and a fool when he is filled with food;
23an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.
24Four things on earth are small,
but they are exceedingly wise:
25the ants are a people not strong,
yet they provide their food in the summer;
26the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27the locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in rank;
28the lizard you can take in your hands,
yet it is in kings’ palaces.
29Three things are stately in their tread;
four are stately in their stride:
30the lion, which is mightiest among beasts
and does not turn back before any;
31the strutting rooster,e the he-goat,
and a king whose army is with him.f
32If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth.
33For pressing milk produces curds,
pressing the nose produces blood,
and pressing anger produces strife.
Key themes in Proverbs 30:
The Wisdom of Agur (verses 1–6): Agur begins by expressing his lack of wisdom and understanding, acknowledging that his knowledge is limited compared to God's. He highlights the mysteries of God's creation and the wisdom found in God’s word. He cautions against adding to God's words, as they are perfect and complete.
A Prayer for Contentment (verses 7–9): Agur prays for two things: to be kept from falsehood and deceit, and to be granted just enough material provision. He seeks neither poverty nor riches, asking instead for daily bread and contentment, so that he doesn't become tempted by either poverty (leading to stealing) or wealth (leading to arrogance and forgetfulness of God).
Warnings Against Wickedness (verses 10–17): Several moral warnings follow, focusing on the behaviors and attitudes of the wicked. These include:
- False accusations: "Do not slander a servant to their master."
- Arrogance: Those who act with pride, thinking they are superior, will face consequences.
- Unfaithfulness: Descriptions of adulterous behavior, illustrating the destructive nature of infidelity.
- Greed and corruption: A general denunciation of various forms of evil, including greed and exploitation.
Four Things That Are Unfathomable (verses 18–20): Agur contemplates the mysteries of life, listing four things that are difficult to understand:
- The way of an eagle in the sky.
- The way of a serpent on a rock.
- The way of a ship on the sea.
- The way of a man with a young woman. These are considered mysteries, representing the incomprehensibility of certain aspects of life and human nature.
Four Things That Are Terrible (verses 21–23): Agur lists four societal upheavals that are disturbing:
- A servant who becomes a ruler.
- A fool who is filled with food.
- A contemptible woman who is married.
- A maidservant who supplants her mistress. These are examples of imbalances or situations that disrupt the natural order.
The Ways of Nature (verses 24–28): Four small creatures are highlighted as wise despite their small size: ants, conies (rock badgers), locusts, and lizards. They each demonstrate wisdom in their behavior, showing how even the small and weak have value.
Warnings Against Arrogance and Pride (verses 29–33): The chapter concludes with a series of observations on pride and arrogance. Agur warns that those who are proud or haughty will face downfall. He gives a series of four descriptions of how pride and self-assertion can lead to destruction—like a stirring of the milk, churning of the butter, or striking of the nose.
Proverbs 30 emphasizes humility, wisdom, and the fear of God. It reminds readers of the limitations of human understanding and the need for contentment, morality, and respect for God’s authority. It contrasts the mysteries of life with the simple wisdom that can be found in nature and the moral order.
(PROVERBS 30)
Wisdom instructs on God’s Word and other subjects.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- In what ways are the "Sayings of Agur like Solomon's proverbs? How are they different? Which ones are more like the Psalms, addressed to God?
- What is the point of the literary style and device that compares three and four items with one another? In using this device, is Agur: (a) Losing track of his sermon outline? (b) Stuttering in his speech? (c) Trying to be cute, witty or chatty? (d) Painting a picture without making his point explicit?
- How does that style affect the content and impact of the chapter? Is his main point to observe, to suggest. or to preach? Why do you think so?
- What do you learn about Agur from Proverbs 30:2-4? From Proverbs 30:7-9? What assumptions about human nature and money underlie his two-fold request? Why doesn't he pray to use poverty and riches rightly?
- What do you learn of God from the agnostic's questions in verse 4? From the answer in Proverbs 30:5-6? From Agur's prayer in Proverbs 30:7-9? From the arrogant "eyes of Proverbs 30:11-14?
- How does the character of those pictured in Proverbs 30:11-14 contrast with Agur at prayer? What will happen to the "eyes of those who arrogantly leech off others” (Proverbs 30:15-17)?
- What is "amazing about the "ways" and the fifth way (Proverbs 30:18-20)?
- What is "unbearable about the next four things (Proverbs 30:21-23)?
- What is so "wise" about the four "small" creatures (Proverbs 30:24-28)?
- What is "stately" about the next four things (Proverbs 30:29-31)?
- How do Proverbs 30:32-33 tie together all the other sayings about humility?
- After viewing Agur's humble, artistic impressions, how do you feel: (a) "I know where this guy's coming from"? (b) "I'm totally confused? (c) "But for the grace of God, there go I"? (d) "I wish he would not be poetic.
- Which gives you more grief: Not enough money or too much money? Explain.
- What childhood or child-like cravings of yours are still unsatisfied? What can you take to heart from these sayings which will help you crave things less?
- What does it mean to play the fool (Proverbs 30:32)? Where have you played the fool and exalted yourself (Proverbs 30:32-33)? What can you take to heart from these sayings?
- How are you tempted to add to God's words (Proverbs 30:6)? What principles of inductive group Bible study help to avoid that?
- Of these ways, things and creatures in this chapter, with which can you most easily Identify? Is the comparison at all flattering, humbling, or what? How so?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others via social media links at this bottom.
- What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
- Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
- What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be humble and not think too highly of myself, in the Name of Jesus.
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