Proverbs Chapter 30

PROVERBS Chapter 30

“This chapter owes its vividness largely to the author’s profound humility, confessed in verses 1-9 and expressed both by his detestation of arrogance in all its forms and by his fascinated, candid observation of the world and its ways.

In the groupings of men and creatures there is sometimes a moral or spiritual lesson stated or implied; but the lessons are nowhere pressed, and the dominant attitude is that of keen and often delighted interest, inviting us to look again at our world with the eye of a man of faith who is an artist and an observer of character. Cf. The words of the Psalmist: ‘I muse on the work of Thy hands’ (Psalm 143:5)” (Kidner p. 178).

Agur son of Jakeh 30:1 1 Kings 4:30,31 speaks of various sages besides Solomon. So it would appear that “Agur (A ghur) the son of Jakeh (JAY kuh)”, is not a false name under which Solomon also wrote. The term “oracle”, seems to emphasize the authority of what follows. The expression, “Ithiel (ITH ih el, God is with me), to Ithiel and Ucal” (YOU cal), either refers to proper names, people to whom Agur was addressing, or some believe that these are not proper names, and what the writer is saying is, “I have wearied myself, O God, I have wearied myself, O God, and come to an end”.

Man’s Worthless Speculation 30:2 The author declares his ignorance. It appears here we find a man who is struggling to find the truth. “His self-confessed lack of wisdom should not be taken too literally……nor should it be regarded as bleak epistemological pessimism (i.e., finding the truth is impossible). It is rather both an acknowledgment of the limits of human understanding and a humble confession that only God is truly wise” (Garrett p. 236). “If in verse 2 there is an undertone of irony at the expense of the average man’s self-assurance, verses 3 and 4 show that it springs from a pressing awareness of the ignorance and narrow experience of a mere human, and of the writer in particular. In his own way he affirms that reverence is the beginning of knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:2)” (Kidner pp. 178-179).

Point To Note: And here is where we all have to start if we are going to learn about God. We must see our own limitations, and realize that apart from God’s revelation we are blind and stupid.

30:3 Knowing God is the basis for true wisdom and it is the foundation of real insight (Proverbs 1:7; 15:33). Compare with Jeremiah 9:23-24. Yet many people somehow think that one can be really wise and at the same time completely ignorant of God and His ways. This verse infers that we might be dealing with a secular “wise” man who had finally realized that he wasn’t wise after all. How could he claim to possess any real wisdom when he was ignorant of God? 30:4 This verse echoes sentiments that we find in the book of Job (chapter 38).

These questions not only magnify the greatness of the Creator, but they naturally stress how limited man is. “These questions display man’s limitations; they may have a sarcastic tone, implying that some people think they understand the phenomena of the universe” (Gaebelein p. 1119).

Points To Note: 1. Of course, the only answer to the five questions in this verse is God. Only He can go up to heaven and come down. “He first challenges the reader to admit that no one has achieved direct understanding of the world and the truth behind the world. To ‘go up to heaven and come back down’ is to attain and bring back direct knowledge of eternal truth” (Garrett p. 236). Compare with John 3:13. Only God can hold the wind in His hands (i.e., control it), or figuratively wrap the waters in His cloak. Only He has fixed the earth in its place (Job 38:4,6; Proverbs 8:29). 2. The question, “What is His name or His son’s name”, suggests the question, “Does He have a Son?”; “Is there another with the same nature who could be called His Son?”. Since “God” is the only possible answer to each of these questions, the reference to “His Son”, must refer to the Son of God. Jesus did come down from heaven to reveal God’s truth and then ascended.

God’s Flawless Revelation 30:5 Truth isn’t found inherently in man, but the good news is that God has spoken (Hebrews 1:1-2). “His word is totally inerrant” (Alden p. 208). One can’t

put any real confidence in our one’s opinions, but one can place all one’s confidence in what God has revealed. God can be known through His word which is faultless. Here God says His word is “tested”, i.e., smelted, without dross, as silver tried in a furnace. “Therefore there is no proof left for our misgiving or for their improvement…Notice that the aim of revelation is to promote trust, not bare knowledge, and trust that goes behind the words to the Speaker” (Kidner p. 179). There is nothing deceitful or false in God’s word.

Point To Note: In view of such a verse, I always have a hard time wondering why some religious people believe that the Bible has been corrupted. Or, why others think that the Bible no longer addresses the current issues or needs of the time in which they are living. Note, God also says that His word is relevant and practical. “In the real world of experience, people have found that God’s revelation stands true.

Thus God is a shield to those who flee to Him. The knowledge offered here is not mere abstraction but is practical for dealing with day-to-day life” (Garrett p.

237). The verse infers that man needs a shield!

30:6 Compare with Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 John 9; and Revelation 22:18. A verse which naturally follows verse 5. Seeing that man is so limited in his knowledge— what sort of advice could he possibly have for God? How could a finite human being ever improve upon God’s flawless revelation? “God rebukes those who think they can know more of God than what He has revealed about Himself” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 970). Man’s danger is arrogance and the assumption that he is divine, rather than God. Going beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6), is apt to make one a popular Bible teacher since people think that the teacher has profound insight into the text and can find hidden truths.

“Lead Me Not Into Temptation” 30:7 The requests converge upon one goal or concern, i.e., character and the circumstances that endanger character. Note, here we have a person who sincerely wants to be a good person, thus before he dies he wants to reach that goal of being a man of character, a really godly person. Do we long for righteousness like this? (Matthew 5:6).

30:8 The author realizes his own weaknesses. “Both in his tendency to forget God when life is too easy and to turn in desperation away from God when life is too hard” (Garrett p. 238). “He might have prayed to use poverty or riches rightly, but knows his frailty too well” (Kidner p. 179). The expression, “feed me

with the food that is my portion”, sounds a lot like, “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). I wonder if we have been too influenced by our culture (Romans 12:1), for how many of us would be content to have simply our daily portion? It seems like we aren’t happy unless God gives us a “year’s supply”.

Would we think that God is taking really good care of us if all we had was a daily portion?

30:9 Here is a man who doesn’t want to be deceitful or self-sufficient. “He wants to be honest in all his dealings….So he is acknowledging his own ignorance, relying on God’s word for security in life, and praying that God will keep him from falling into temptation. Agur is ready to offer his words” (Gaebelein p. 1120).

Fairness For The Unprivileged 30:10 Behind this injunction is a demand that one respect the person of the menial worker. “His work relationship with his master is between the two of them; one should no more interfere here than one would interfere in a matter involving a superior or an equal” (Garrett p. 238).

Four Facets Of Arrogance 30:11 There is a segment of society that lacks respect for parents, in spite of the law (Exodus 21:17; Proverbs 20:20). “It is difficult to imagine persons more onerous to wisdom than those described here” (Garrett p. 239). “There may be a sequence traceable from impious childhood to practiced brutality….at all events pride is seen corrupting a person’s attitude to his superiors (11), himself (12), the world at large (13), and his supposed inferiors (14)” (Kidner p. 180).

God still has a very dim view of the person who shows disrespect for their parents (Romans 1:30).

30:12 “Those who reek with moral filthiness but do not have enough sense of decency to know it” (Garrett p. 239). There are people who may observe all outer ritual but pay no attention to inner cleansing (Matthew 23:27). Or, people who view themselves morally superior to “traditional values” and yet who are very immoral. As I read this verse I can’t help but think of the rebel during the 60’s who was supposed to bring a better world, and yet who brought us drug addiction, sexual diseases, higher divorce rates, and so on.

30:13 The word “kind”, can also mean “generation” (side ref.). Here we see the outward manifestation of an arrogant attitude, the lofty view of themselves and the corresponding contempt for others. Note, such arrogance can even infect religious people (Luke 18:9ff).

30:14 “The imagery of the first half of the verse captures the rapacity of their power…The second part explains that they devour, like a ravenous and insensitive beast, the poor and the needy. Those who exploit and destroy other people are beasts” (Gaebelein p. 1122). Compare with Psalm 14:4. Arrogance is often the cause behind oppressing the vulnerable. When pride infects us it is easy to justify mistreating others, “Why, they deserve it”. “That’s what you get when you are a nobody”. It is so easy to abuse someone whom we consider to be an inferior and stupid.

Craving 30:15 Leeches graphically depict the attitude of greed. In addition, the leech has two suckers at either end of its body that always want more. “Things that seem never to be satisfied are problematic for the normal enjoyment of life” (Gaebelein p. 1122).

30:16 Here we learn that the desire for more is menacing (the grave and fire), and pathetic (the childless and the parched). “The reader of the two verses is left with mingled repulsion, fear and pity” (Kidner p. 180). “None of these things has the willpower to say it is full or has had enough. The lesson here is obvious; greed (or any lust) merely feeds upon itself resulting in unsatisfied cravings.

What is it we seek in life? Are we yawning graves, empty wombs, parched soil, or consuming fires because we look for satisfaction in places, people, and things that can never fill us up?” (Alden p. 210).

Nemesis For The Arrogant 30:17 Severe punishment awaits those who show disrespect for their parents.

The inference appears to be that the birds picking out the eyes implies that the corpses lie unburied. Teenage rebellion, or rebellion at any age, isn’t something “natural” or cute.

Four Marvels And A Jarring Fifth

30:18-20 “What is there about an eagle in the sky, a snake on a rock, a ship on the sea, and a man with a young woman that mystifies the author? What do these four have in common? “ (Garrett p. 241). Note the repetition of the word “way”, i.e., “the way of an eagle…the way of a serpent…the way of a ship…the way of a man with a maid”. “All four things are hidden from continued observation, for they are there in majestic form and then are gone, not leaving a trace..” (Gaebelein p. 1123). “None of the four is going over old territory.

Rather, an eagle, a snake, or a ship all can go where there are no paths.

Likewise in the last of the four, the man now is moving into untracked ‘virgin’ territory as he and his lover pursue their affection for one another” (Alden p.

210). The connection also might be the easy mastery, by the appropriate agent, of elements as difficult to negotiate as air, rock, sea—and a young woman.

30:20 The expression, “this is the way of an adulterous woman”, ties this verse with the other verses. The marvel concerning the adulterous woman is that she has a sexual encounter and then walks away from it without a pang of conscience and perhaps even without another thought for the man who was involved, for the encounter was no more significant than a meal, and it no more leaves an impression on her conscience than an eagle leaves as trail in the sky.

What astounds the writer is the moral indifference of such a person. “How can two people involve themselves in something as intimate as sexual union and then think nothing of it” (Bergen p. 241).

Points To Note: 1. Some see a contrast between the end of 30:19 and verse 20. That is the man with a maid is the wonder of sexuality in the marriage relationship, a truly awesome and beautiful thing. 2. In contrast, what is equally as amazing is how callused people can become. It is incredible that human beings can engage in sin so blatant, and then so easily dismiss any sense of guilt, “I have done nothing wrong”. “Wiping her mouth after eating means that the adulteress treats sexual liaisons the same way she does eating: she just finishes up and goes home without a care, and certainly without a sense of guilt” (Bergen p. 241).

Four Unbearable Things 30:21-22 “Here we find a list of four things which are intolerable because of the gross inappropriateness” (Alden p. 210). “The Bible delights in the fruitful

reversals of fortune (17:2), but has no use for upstarts (19:10) who become too big for their boots” (Kidner p. 181). “The people tremble because social turmoil follows the sudden elevation of inexperienced, unqualified people to positions of power and success” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 971). A servant who gains authority over others has neither the training nor the disposition to rule well.

“The earth trembles when a servant is king; unaccustomed to such dignity, he might become a power-hungry tyrant and oppressive ruler” (Gaebelein p. 1125).

In fact, some would argue that Hitler is a prime example.

30:22 A fool who is full of food, describes a fool who becomes prosperous, yet continues his foolish behavior. “But now he is overbearing and, worse yet, finds time hanging heavy on his hands” (Gaebelein p. 1125). When I read this verse I cannot help but think of the fool who wins the lottery or who stumbles across a million dollar idea.

30:23 “A woman desperate for love, however sad her plight may be, is a torment to all around her” (Garrett p. 242). “Perhaps she is unattractive or odious (hateful), but also perhaps she is married to someone incapable of showing love…The fourth is the maid who displaces her mistress. The tension from the threat of Hagar in Genesis 16:5 and 21:10 shows how unbearable this could be” (Gaebelein p. 1125).

Four Things Little And Wise 30:24 Here we learn the lesson that we should admire not bulk, but such qualities that appear in the following verses. We should wonder at the Maker of these small creatures and resist the temptation to despise the small things of our world. In a society that tends to glorify and believe that “big is better”, these are refreshing verses.

30:25 First there is the ant which has little strength but exhibits remarkable foresight in storing up food for winter. Compare with 6:6-8.

30:26 Because the rock-badger (about the size of a small rabbit), is rather ineffective at defending themselves, they live in rocky-crags, that give them natural safety. “Perhaps the lesson here is that we must improvise even under adverse or difficult circumstances” (Bergen p. 211).

30:27 Even without a king, locusts mobilize, march, and conquer. “The illustration suggests the unity and harmony that result when each member of a group or society works for the good of all rather than at odds with them or for himself” (Alden p. 211). Here the lesson is to cooperate.

30:28 “The lizard is relatively defenseless; lacking in significant claws or teeth as it is, even a child can grab it without fear. Even so, it can attain residence in a palace” (Bergen p. 242). “The animal, without bribes or trickery, enters chambers we might not, even with a lifetime of effort never reach. Perhaps the sage stresses here that humility and honesty reap their own rewards, while status-seeking, and social-climbing efforts often fail” (Alden p. 211). In other words, you don’t have to fight, craw, and grasp in order to make it to the top.

Four Stately Things 30:29-30 All would agree that the lion moves with an impressive and regal gait.

30:31 In like manner, just as self-confident are the strutting rooster and a male goat with its arrogant appearance. Finally, there is grandeur to a king as he exercises his authority, and that grandeur ought to be respected.

A Concluding Call To Humility 30:32 “Humility, the undercurrent of this chapter, which has already commended itself (directly or by contrast) as reverence (1-9), restraint (10-17), and wonder (18-31), is finally manifested as peaceable behavior” (Kidner p. 182). To plan deception, to exalt oneself, is to have played the part of the fool. The writer advises those who have exalted themselves and planned deception to cease their efforts and control what they say. The verse does infer that the arrogant fool can change!

30:33 Just as sure as churning milk produces butter, and twisting the nose produces blood, causing trouble will produce strife—especially for the troublemaker. “Quarrels often begin when fools hold greedy or stupid positions.

The problem could end quickly if they would just ‘clap their hands over their mouths’ but the more tenaciously they hold on, the more belligerent they become. It begins when they fall in love with themselves and their ideas and it ends in a bloody battle” (Alden p. 212).