(The Words of Agur—One of God’s Authors)
30:1: This verse introduces us to four men who are not mentioned anywhere else. Agur, God’s author, is giving proverbs as counsel to two men. And it is good counsel for us—if we will take it to heart.
30:2-9: Agur begins his utterance with four personal and practical points of inspired advice.
In verses 2 and 3, he makes a personal confession.
In verse 4, he asks five questions to encourage humility before God.
In verses 5 and 6, he appeals to the word of God as the standard.
In verses 7 through 9, he makes a two-fold request of God.
30:10-31: The main body of this chapter has four short proverbs and
six extended proverbs. We will study them in light of those two groupings.
The four short proverbs:
30:10: This is a lesson about the tongue.
30:15a: This is a lesson about a horseleach (bloodsucker).
30:17: This is a lesson about a scorning child.
30:20: This is a lesson about an adulterous woman.
The six extended proverbs:
30:11-14: This is a lesson about characteristics of a wicked generation.
30:15b,16: This is a lesson about three (rather, four) things that
are never satisfied.
30:18,19: This is a lesson about three (rather, four) things that are
“beyond comprehension.”
30:21-23: This is a lesson about three (rather, four) things that cause
the earth to tremble.
30:24-28: This is a lesson about four things that are little and wise.
30: 29-31: This is a lesson about three (rather, four) things that
are majestic in their steps.
30:32,33: The words of Agur close with a proverbial request that Ithiel
and Ucal will use this teaching to perform a self-examination. Let
us use his words in the same way for our own spiritual well being (2 Corinthians
13:5).
QUESTIONS—PROVERBS 30
Agur: “garnered, hired, collector.” Some say that this was an assumed name for Solomon. Others say that it was a person about whom we know nothing else. Whatever else is true, the chapter is authentic, and it was a part of the Jewish scriptures when Jesus lived.
1. How does the author present himself (vv. 2,3)?
2. What does he teach about the word of God (vv.5,6)?
3. What did he desire before he died (vv.7-9)?
4. “Remove far from me ___________ and _______ (v.8).
5. What do many who are “full” do (v.9)?
6. List at least four characteristics of “generations” (vv.11-14).
7. What four things do not say “enough” (vv.15,16)?
8. Is verse 17 teaching us about good or bad children?
9. What four things are too “wonderful” (vv. 18,19)?
10. What is the claim of the woman of adultery (v.20)?
11. What four things can the earth not bear (vv. 21-23)?
12. What four things are little, yet exceedingly wise (vv. 24-28)?
13. What four things are stately in their walk (vv. 29-31)?
14. What points in the last two verses can be helpful in examining ourselves?
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