Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter Thirty
Proverbs 30:1 (NASB) The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
G. Campbell Morgan has said, "This and the following chapter constitute an appendix to the Book of Proverbs. It is impossible to say who Agur was. In this selection from his writings we have an introduction, in which he arms the fact of man's little wisdom, and then utters the memorable prayer which reveals his fear of Jehovah and his desire for that balanced life which is one of safety."
"From the prayer to the end of the chapter we have his observations on various matters affecting conduct. In this the first section opens with a proverb (verse Pro 30:10). Then follow descriptions of four evil generations and of "four things" perpetually dissatisfied. The second section opens with a proverb (verse Pro 30:17), and is followed by four groups of four things. The first four excite wonder, the second four, terror; the third four are little things, but exceeding wise; the final four are stately things. The whole movement ends with a proverb (verses Pro 30:32-33)."
Proverbs 30:2 (NASB) Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.
Surely all of us should be able to make this statement at some point or another. We have all made stupid mistakes and unwise decisions. But God is infinite and He is all wise. Certain aspects of his nature will always remain a mystery to us. If we think we are more wise than other people - it will become pride.
Proverbs 30:3 (NASB) Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
I know a little - yet my little is not much. All of the wisdom that I have comes from God - yet I do not have the wisdom of Him. Consider the questions that God asked Job if you think you possess knowledge.
Proverbs 30:4 (NASB) Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know!
Benson has said, "What mere man hath ascended into heaven to learn the mind of God, who dwells there? None have."
Chuck Smith said of this verse, "He's talking about God. He's talking about the things that are in God's category. Paul tells us, "He who has ascended is the same one who first of all descended. And when He ascended, He led the captives or led the captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men" ( Eph 4:8-9 ). So, "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the winds in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth?" - what is his name? Interesting. But even more interesting, he said, what is his son's name? Referring to God's Son. And so it is an interesting question. He is speaking of the characteristics and the things that belong unto God. He said, "What is His name?" The name, of course, is Yahweh. And what is His Son's name? Yahovah Shua - Jesus.
Proverbs 30:5 (NASB) Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
The Contemporary English Version says it this way, "Everything God says is true-- and it's a shield for all who come to him for safety."
Gill has said, "The whole word of God. "All Scripture", given by inspiration of God, to which Agur directs, as giving the best account of God, of his name, nature, and perfections; of his Son, person, offices, and grace; being pure, very pure, "purified" like silver, purified in a furnace of earth. The whole of Scripture is pure, free from all falsehood and error; coming from the God of truth, who cannot lie, and therefore called "the Scriptures of truth": every promise is pure as well as precious, made without dissimulation, faithfully performed, and all yea and amen in Christ; every doctrine is pure, free from the mixtures and inventions of men; the sincere milk of the word; consistent and all of a piece, not yea and nay; and tending to promote purity of heart and life; wholesome words, and doctrines according to godliness."
Proverbs 30:6 (NASB) Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
This is one of the first things that Satan did in the garden. He added one word to God's word when he said, "You surely will NOT die."
Poole has said, "And as the word of God is pure, do not thou corrupt or abuse it, by adding to it thine own or other men’s inventions and opinions, and delivering or receiving of them in the name and as the words of God. He here forbids only adding to it, not diminishing from it, which yet is equally forbidden, Deu 4:2, because the Israelites then and always were, and others are, more prone to add than to diminish, because it is more easy to add under colour of interpreting, and because it is more agreeable to the humour of mankind, which is much delighted with its own inventions, as the experience of all ages showeth. Lest he reprove thee by words or deeds; by discovering thy folly, and bringing thee to deserved shame and punishment."
Proverbs 30:7 (NASB) Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die:
Agur here puts forth his "bucket list". He has two requests before he dies. Note that there is no indication that he is on his death bed.
Proverbs 30:8 (NASB) Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,
Here there seems to be three requests:
1. Keep me from lies and deception.
2. Give me a life of moderation - not too rich and not too poor.
3. Allow me to have the portion of food that I need.
Chuck Smith has said of this verse, "He's really seeking just sort of a moderate kind of a life. "I don't want riches, lest I would say, 'Who is God?' and deny God. Or I don't want to be poor either that I would be tempted to go out and steal in order to take care of my needs. So God, just give me that in-the-middle average life."
I have heard it said, "All I need is less." Here we find a man asking for "just enough".
Proverbs 30:9 (NASB) That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.
This verse must be take in the context of the verse above. "Give me my daily portion - That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God."
Having too much money can be dangerous, but so can having too little. Being poor can, in fact, be hazardous to spiritual as well as physical health. On the other hand, being rich is not the answer. As Jesus pointed out, rich people have trouble getting into God's Kingdom (Mat 19:23-24). Like Paul, we can learn how to live whether we have little or plenty (Php 4:12), but our lives are more likely to be effective if we have "neither poverty nor riches."
Proverbs 30:10 (NASB) Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.
The Message Bible says it this way, "Don't blow the whistle on your fellow workers behind their backs; They'll accuse you of being underhanded, and then you'll be the guilty one!"
Are we not servants to one master? Who are we to accuse fellow servants of wrong doing when we ourselves do wrong sometimes too? We are not to be the judge of our fellow workers nor are we to complain about them to God.
Proverbs 30:11 (NASB) There is a kind of man who curses his father And does not bless his mother.
Verses 11 thru 14 begin with the words, "There is a kind...." In this verse he is one who curses his father and does not bless his mother. A life of pride and abuse of others often begins with a lack of appreciation for one's parents. The command to honor one's father and mother does create negative consequences when rejected.
Proverbs 30:12 (NASB) There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness.
If the standard by which you judge is centered in yourself - you will never see that your standard is flawed. No one will meet up to your expectations - except yourself. You will judge yourself as pure which is a false judgment - but we are not judged by our own standards but by Gods. If you look at His standards you will see that you are filthy - yet He can wash you clean.
Proverbs 30:13 (NASB) There is a kind--oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.
The Contemporary English Version says, "Some people are stuck-up and act like snobs."
Matthew Henry says, "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."
Proverbs 30:14 (NASB) There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords And his jaw teeth like knives, To devour the afflicted from the earth And the needy from among men.
We need to beware of those who will chew you up and spit you out.
Verses 11-14 contains cautions against keeping company with certain persons;
1. Those who are ungrateful to their parents;
2. dissembling hypocrites;
3. supercilious proud;
4. cruel and uncompassionate.
Let us not keep company with such nor should we be them.
Proverbs 30:15 (NASB) The leech has two daughters, "Give," "Give." There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, "Enough":
The Message Bible says it this way, "A leech has twin daughters named "Gimme" and "Gimme more." Three things are never satisfied, no, there are four that never say, "That's enough, thank you!"--
In the next two verses the writer will tell us what will never be satisfied. "Three things . . . no, four" is a poetic way of saying the list is not complete.
Proverbs 30:16 (NASB) Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, "Enough."
Here are the four things that are never satisfied:
1. Sheol - the abode of the dead
2. The Barren Womb
3. The parched earth
4. Fire
None of these have ever said, "Enough! I am satisfied."
Proverbs 30:17 (NASB) The eye that mocks a father And scorns a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
Here is a graphic description of what will happen to those who mocks their father or scorns their mother. The ravens will pluck their eyes out and the eagles will eat it. The commandment remains - honor your father and mother. Be careful how you treat your parents.
Proverbs 30:18 (NASB) There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand:
Here is another list. It consists of four things that are amazing to him:
1. The way the eagle flies through the sky.
2. The way a snake moves itself on the rocks.
3. The way a ship sails through the middle of the ocean.
4. The way of a man with a maiden.
Proverbs 30:19 (NASB) The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.
Of the first three there are no lasting signs that the eagle, snake, or ship has passed through their course once they are gone. Once they are gone who would know they were there.
So too a young woman could pass for a virgin even though that may not be the case. Perhaps that is why verse twenty talks of the "adulterous woman".
Proverbs 30:20 NASB This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, "I have done no wrong."
Trapp has said, "When she hath eaten stolen bread, hath such dexterity in wiping her lips, that not the least crumb shall stick to them for discovery. So that Agur here shows it to be as hard to find it out as the way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, & (the way of ship though the sea). Unless taken in the manner, she stoutly denies the action."
Proverbs 30:21 (NASB) Under three things the earth quakes, And under four, it cannot bear up:
Here again is a list of four that makes the earth quake:
1. A slave who has become king.
2. A fool who is satisfied only with food.
3. An unloved woman when she gets her husband.
4. A servant girl who become the mistress.
The Message Bible says it this way; (verse 21) Three things are too much for even the earth to bear, yes, four things shake its foundations-- (verse 22) when the janitor becomes the boss, when a fool gets rich, (verse 23) when a whore is voted "woman of the year," when a "girlfriend" replaces a faithful wife.
Matthew Henry has said, "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."
Proverbs 30:22 (NASB) Under a slave when he becomes king, And a fool when he is satisfied with food,
A slave when put in authority may let the power go to his head.
Ellicott has said, "It is only when he has to work hard for his living that he will behave himself decently; if he gets a little money, it will soon be wasted in idleness and self-indulgence."
Proverbs 30:23 (NASB) Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.
Again - power can go to one's head - it can be in politics, business or the home.
Proverbs 30:24 (NASB) Four things are small on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:
Here is a list of four wise things:
1. Ants
2. Badgers
3. Locusts
4. Lizards
It is not that they are wise in themselves - but their behavior is.
Proverbs 30:25 (NASB) The ants are not a strong people, But they prepare their food in the summer;
Ants can teach us about preparation. They will gather for harder times when the time of gathering is upon them.
Proverbs 30:26 (NASB) The shephanim are not mighty people, Yet they make their houses in the rocks;
Badgers can teach about wise building.
Trapp has said, "But what they want in strength they have in wisdom; while they work themselves holes and burrows in the earth and secures herself in the rocks and stony places. It shall be our wisdom to work ourselves into the rock Christ Jesus, where we shall be safe from hellish hunters."
Proverbs 30:27 (NASB) The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks;
Who is in command of the locusts? They have no king - yet they go out to their assigned duties.
Proverbs 30:28 NASB The lizard you may grasp with the hands, Yet it is in kings' palaces.
You can catch a lizard with your hands yet it will go where it chooses to go.
Proverbs 30:29 (NASB) There are three things which are stately in their march, Even four which are stately when they walk:
There are three things that walk with dignity - well really four.
1. The Lion
2. The Rooster
3. The Billy Goat
4. The King
Proverbs 30:30 (NASB) The lion which is mighty among beasts And does not retreat before any,
The lion does not retreat but roars its way to the top.
Proverbs 30:31 (NASB) The strutting rooster, the male goat also, And a king when his army is with him.
The rooster will strut it's stuff before hens and other roosters.
The Billy goat will stand to show his dominance.
The king has the strength of his army behind him and he will give them strength by being a fearless leader.
Proverbs 30:32 (NASB) If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.
Let us not beat our own drum - let us not plan evil - if you have - shut your mouth - put your hand over your mouth and be quiet.
Proverbs 30:33 (NASB) For the churning of milk produces butter, And pressing the nose brings forth blood; So the churning of anger produces strife.
If you take whole milk and shake it up - you will get butter. If you punch someone in the nose you can draw forth blood. If you say angry words - it will produce an angry response. Stir the pot and you may be stirring up trouble.
