Proverbs 30

1 The words of Agur, son of Jakeh. Agur's prophetic revelation. This man's declaration: "I'm weary, O God. I'm weary and worn out, O God.

2 I'm more [like] a dumb animal than a human being. I don't [even] have human understanding.

3 I haven't learned wisdom. I don't have knowledge of the Holy One.

4 "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palm of his hand? Who has wrapped water in a garment? Who has set up the earth from one end to the other? What is his name or the name of his son? Certainly, you must know!

5 "Every word of God has proven to be true. He is a shield to those who come to him for protection.

6 Do not add to his words, or he will reprimand you, and you will be found to be a liar.

7 "I've asked you for two things. Don't keep them from me before I die:

8 Keep vanity and lies far away from me. Don't give me either poverty or riches. Feed me [only] the food I need,

9 or I may feel satisfied and deny you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' or I may become poor and steal and give the name of my God a bad reputation.

10 "Do not slander a slave to his master. The slave will curse you, and you will be found guilty."

11 A certain kind of person curses his father and does not bless his mother.

12 A certain kind of person thinks he is pure but is not washed from his own feces.

13 A certain kind of person looks around arrogantly and is conceited.

14 A certain kind of person, whose teeth are like swords and whose jaws are [like] knives, devours oppressed people from the earth and people from among humanity.

15 The bloodsucking leech has two daughters--"Give!" and "Give!" Three things are never satisfied. Four never say, "Enough!":

16 the grave, a barren womb, a land that never gets enough water, a fire that does not say, "Enough!"

17 The eye that makes fun of a father and hates to obey a mother will be plucked out by ravens in the valley and eaten by young vultures.

18 Three things are too amazing to me, even four that I cannot understand:

19 an eagle making its way through the sky, a snake making its way over a rock, a ship making its way through high seas, a man making his way with a virgin.

20 This is the way of a woman who commits adultery: She eats, wipes her mouth, and says, "I haven't done anything wrong!"

21 Three things cause the earth to tremble, even four it cannot bear up under:

22 a slave when he becomes king, a godless fool when he is filled with food,

23 a woman who is unloved when she gets married, a maid when she replaces her mistress.

24 Four things on earth are small, yet they are very wise:

25 Ants are not a strong species, yet they store their food in summer.

26 Rock badgers are not a mighty species, yet they make their home in the rocks.

27 Locusts have no king, yet all of them divide into swarms by instinct.

28 A lizard you can hold in your hands, yet it can even be found in royal palaces.

29 There are three things that walk with dignity, even four that march with dignity:

30 a lion, mightiest among animals, which turns away from nothing,

31 a strutting rooster, a male goat, a king at the head of his army.

32 If you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself, or if you scheme, you had better put your hand over your mouth.

33 As churning milk produces butter and punching a nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces a fight.

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.

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.