Proverbios 30

1 Palabras de Agur, hijo de Jaqué: La profecía que dijo el varón a Itiel, a Itiel y a Ucal

2 Ciertamente más rudo soy yo que ninguno, ni tengo entendimiento de hombre

3 Yo ni aprendí sabiduría, ni conozco la teología

4 ¿Quién subió al cielo, y descendió? ¿Quién encerró los vientos en sus puños? ¿Quién ató las aguas en un paño? ¿Quién afirmó todos los términos de la tierra? ¿Cuál es su nombre, y el nombre de su hijo, si sabes

5 Toda palabra de Dios es limpia; es escudo a los que en él esperan

6 No añadas a sus palabras, para que no te reprenda, y seas hallado mentiroso

7 Dos cosas te he demandado; no me las niegues antes que muera

8 Vanidad y palabra mentirosa aparta de mí; no me des pobreza ni riquezas; manténme del pan de mi juicio

9 para que no me sacie, y te niegue, y diga, ¿Quién es el SEÑOR? O no sea que siendo pobre, hurte, y blasfeme el nombre de mi Dios

10 No acuses al siervo ante su señor, para que no te maldiga, y peques

11 Hay generación que maldice a su padre, y a su madre no bendice

12 Hay generación limpia en su opinión, y nunca se ha limpiado su inmundicia

13 Hay generación cuyos ojos son altivos, y cuyos párpados son alzados

14 Hay generación cuyos dientes son espadas, y sus muelas cuchillos, para devorar de la tierra a los pobres, y de entre los hombres a los menesterosos

15 La sanguijuela tiene dos hijas que se llaman, dame, dame. Tres cosas hay que nunca se sacian; aun la cuarta nunca dice, basta

16 El Seol, y la matriz estéril, la tierra que no se sacie de aguas, y el fuego que jamás dice: Basta

17 El ojo que escarnece a su padre, y menosprecia la enseñanza de la madre, los cuervos lo saquen del río, y lo devoren los hijos del águila

18 Tres cosas me son ocultas; aun tampoco sé la cuarta

19 El rastro del águila en el aire; el rastro de la culebra sobre la peña; el rastro de la nave en medio del mar; y el rastro del hombre en la doncella

20 Tal es el rastro de la mujer adúltera, come, y limpia su boca, y dice: No he hecho maldad

21 Por tres cosas se alborota la tierra, y la cuarta no puede sufrir

22 Por el siervo cuando reinare; y por el loco cuando se saciare de pan

23 por la mujer aborrecida cuando se casare; y por la sierva cuando heredare a su señora

24 Cuatro cosas son de las más pequeñas de la tierra, y las mismas son más sabias que los sabios

25 Las hormigas, pueblo no fuerte, y en el verano preparan su comida

26 los conejos, pueblo no fuerte, y ponen su casa en la piedra

27 las langostas, no tienen rey, y salen todas acuadrilladas

28 la araña, ase con las manos, y está en palacios de rey

29 Tres cosas hay de hermoso andar, y la cuarta pasea muy bien

30 El león, fuerte entre todos los animales, que no vuelve atrás por nadie

31 el lebrel ceñido de lomos; asimismo el macho cabrío; y el rey contra el cual ninguno se levanta

32 Si caíste, fue porque te enalteciste; y si mal pensaste, pon el dedo sobre la boca

33 Ciertamente el que exprime la leche, sacará manteca; y el que recio se suena las narices, sacará sangre; y el que provoca la ira, causará contienda

Proverbios 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.