Proverbs 30

Words of Agur

1 The words of Agur, Jakeh's son, from Massa. The man declares: I'm tired, God; I'm tired, God, and I'm exhausted.

2 Actually, I'm too stupid to be human, a man without understanding.

3 I haven't learned wisdom, nor do I have knowledge of the holy one.

4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind by the handful? Who has bound up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is this person's name and the name of this person's child— if you know it?

5 All God's words are tried and true; a shield for those who take refuge in him.

6 Don't add to his words, or he will correct you and show you to be a liar.

7 Two things I ask of you; don't keep them from me before I die:

8 Fraud and lies— keep far from me! Don't give me either poverty or wealth; give me just the food I need.

9 Or I'll be full and deny you, and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or I'll be poor and steal, and dishonor my God's name.

More sayings of the wise

10 Don't slander a servant to his master; otherwise, the servant will curse you, and you will be guilty.

11 There are those who curse their father and don't bless their mother.

12 There are those who think they are clean, but haven't washed off their own excrement.

13 There are those— how arrogant are their eyes; how their eyebrows are raised!

14 There are those whose teeth are swords; their jaw is a butcher's knife, ready to devour the needy from the earth, and the poor from humanity.

15 The leech has two daughters: “Give, give!” There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, “Enough!”:

16 the grave and a barren womb, a land never filled with water, and fire that doesn't say, “Enough!”

17 An eye that mocks a father and rejects obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the river valley peck it out, and the eagle's young eat it.

18 Three things are too wonderful for me, four that I can't figure out:

19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on the rock, the way of a ship out on the open sea, and the way of a man with a young woman.

20 This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and she says, "I've done nothing wrong!"

21 At three things the earth trembles, at four it can't bear up:

22 at a servant when he becomes king and fools when they are full of food;

23 at a detested woman when she gets married and a female servant when she replaces her mistress.

24 Four things are among the smallest on earth, but they are extremely wise:

25 Ants as creatures aren't strong, but they store away their food in the summer.

26 Badgers as creatures aren't powerful, but they make their homes in the rocks.

27 Locusts don't have a king, but they march together in ranks.

28 You can catch lizards in your hand, but they are in kings' palaces.

29 There are three things that are excellent in their stride, four that are excellent as they walk:

30 a lion, a warrior among beasts, which doesn't back down at anything;

31 the strut of a rooster or a male goat; and a king with his army.

32 If you've been foolish and arrogant, if you've been scheming, put your hand to your mouth,

33 because churning milk makes curds, squeezing the nose brings blood, and stirring up anger produces strife.

Proverbs 30 Commentary

Chapter 30

Verses 1-6 Agur speaks of himself as wanting a righteousness, and having done very foolishly. And it becomes us all to have low thoughts of ourselves. He speaks of himself as wanting revelation to guide him in the ways of truth and wisdom. The more enlightened people are, the more they lament their ignorance; the more they pray for clearer, still clearer discoveries of God, and his rich grace in Christ Jesus. In ver. Verse 4 , there is a prophetic notice of Him who came down from heaven to be our Instructor and Saviour, and then ascended into heaven to be our Advocate. The Messiah is here spoken of as a Person distinct from the Father, but his name as yet secret. The great Redeemer, in the glories of his providence and grace, cannot be found out to perfection. Had it not been for Christ, the foundations of the earth had sunk under the load of the curse upon the ground, for man's sin. Who, and what is the mighty One that doeth all this? There is not the least ground to suspect anything wanting in the word of God; adding to his words opens the way to errors and corruptions.

Verses 7-9 Agur wisely prayed for a middle state, that he might be kept at a distance from temptations; he asked daily bread suited to his station, his family, and his real good. There is a remarkable similarity between this prayer and several clauses of the Lord's prayer. If we are removed from vanity and lies; if we are interested in the pardoning love of Christ, and have him for our portion; if we walk with God, then we shall have all we can ask or think, as to spiritual things. When we consider how those who have abundance are prone to abuse the gift, and what it is to suffer want, Agur's prayer will ever be found a wise one, though seldom offered. Food convenient; what is so for one, may not be so for another; but we may be sure that our heavenly Father will supply all our need, and not suffer us to want anything good for us; and why should we wish for more?

Verse 10 Slander not a servant to his master, accuse him not in small matters, to make mischief. ( 11-14 ) . In every age there are monsters of ingratitude who ill-treat their parents. Many persuade themselves they are holy persons, whose hearts are full of sin, and who practise secret wickedness. There are others whose lofty pride is manifest. There have also been cruel monsters in every age. ( 15-17 ) . Cruelty and covetousness are two daughters of the horseleech, that still cry, "Give, give," and they are continually uneasy to themselves. Four things never are satisfied, to which these devourers are compared. Those are never rich that are always coveting. And many who have come to a bad end, have owned that their wicked courses began by despising their parents' authority. ( 18-20 ) . Four things cannot be fully known. The kingdom of nature is full of marvels. The fourth is a mystery of iniquity; the cursed arts by which a vile seducer gains the affections of a female; and the arts which a vile woman uses to conceal her wickedness. ( 21-23 ) Four sorts of persons are very troublesome. Men of low origin and base spirit, who, getting authority, become tyrants. Foolish and violent men indulging in excesses. A woman of a contentious spirit and vicious habits. A servant who has obtained undue influence. Let those whom Providence has advanced from low beginnings, carefully watch against that sin which most easily besets them. ( 24-28 ) . Four things that are little, are yet to be admired. There are those who are poor in the world, and of small account, yet wise for their souls and another world. ( 29-33 ) . We may learn from animals to go well; also to keep our temper under all provocations. We must keep the evil thought in our minds from breaking out into evil speeches. We must not stir up the passions of others. Let nothing be said or done with violence, but every thing with softness and calmness. Alas, how often have we done foolishly in rising up against the Lord our King! Let us humble ourselves before him. And having found peace with Him, let us follow peace with all men.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb Sheol

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 17

This chapter begins with a prophecy of Elijah, that there should be want of rain for some years to come, and he is directed to go first to the brook Cherith, where he should be fed by ravens, 1Ki 17:1-7, and afterwards he is sent to a widow at Zarephath, where he, she, and her son, were supported for a considerable time with a handful of meal, and a little oil in a cruse miraculously increased, 1Ki 17:8-16, whose son falling sick and dying, he restored to life, 1Ki 17:17-24.