Proverbs 30 MAN IS VERY LIMITED Quite often books open with an introduction to the subject and close with a summary, like in chapter twenty-nine when the collection of proverbs by Hezekiah ends. Occasionally books have an appendix to clarify some things referred to previously, or to add some salient points. The last two chapters of Proverbs are like an appendix. Some subjects previously referred to are given more thought by a different person in a different style of writing. In this chapter, the writer, Agur, is an unknown person except for his name and his father’s name. He must have read the previous proverbs and was used by the Holy Spirit to make some observations as to how what he had read, had affected him.
So, in words of deep humility, he confesses his ignorance and lack of understanding of God. His attitude indicates he is a man of wisdom. He knew God is infinite. People still are seeking to unfold secrets of nature in their efforts to explain God and all He has made and does. How futile is such an effort! Humility is never out of style for a wise person who has a realistic appraisal of himself. And yet, man is made in the image of God, and so is not entirely incapable of knowing God and being holy. Our minds, emotions and will all reveal God to an extent to us, in terms which are suited to our limitations.
The questions asked in verse four faces the distance between heaven and earth that cannot be crossed by man. Mankind obviously cannot control or bind up the winds and waters. There is no end to the earth so that man can say I have reached it. These rhetorical questions are answered plainly by one Person, God, who has a Son of equal power and authority. The answer to the questions is obviously, God in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. This man knew he was limited, but that was the reason he was wise. He knew the great gap between the infinite wisdom of an infinite God, and the limited wisdom of limited man, was revealed by the revealed word of God. He gave expression to what He wants us to know. Faith in Him comes through faith in His word. Limited humans dare not add to what our infinite God has given us. What he wants us to know and practice, He has given expression to in ways we can understand. His word is unchangeable.
In this prayer, which is the only one in Proverbs, he requests to be saved from any kind of falsehood, and secondly, that he has enough food to live on each day. These two requests are the basic needs of human life. One is to preserve the soul from sin, and the other is to preserve the body from premature suffering and death. Sensibly, he knew that too little food would tempt him to steal, and too much would tempt him to be proud. He was conscious of his need of physical health and of spiritual health. Even more wisely, he admitted that he needed God to do for him what he was incapable of doing for himself. He was dependent on God and did not want to dishonor or blame God.
Just because the position of a servant is lower than that of his master, or one who would slander the servant, does not mean he can say what he wants about him. That would be a dishonor to both the employee and the employer. If a person would do such a thing, the consequences of slander would fall on him and would be effective in exposing the him as the one who laid the charges.
The next section of the chapter addresses a generation of people who have corrupt characteristics. A life of arrogance and pride begins with lack of appreciation for parents while at home. To reject what parents taught then and now, disrespects those who are older and more experienced in living, and so is ignoring of wisdom. Self- righteousness is found even in prisons, where inmates often say the reason they are in prison is someone else’s fault. They claim to be pure, but are really filthy. Pride makes them think they are higher than others, and are more important even though inside they are self-centered and impure. This ruthless generation of people think they are above the law, so they take from the poor and use their power to oppress the oppressed. They are cruel, degraded and hateful people.
Modern advertising is geared to make people dissatisfied. It is like the two names, “Give and Give.” Those two entities are never satisfied. There are some things that feed on dissatisfaction. Greed for more is a moral deficiency in people. By comparison, this list of four objects illustrate dissatisfaction. The grave will never be satisfied until there is no capability of death. The barren womb wants a child to give meaning to its created purpose. The ground beneath our feet constantly needs and wants more water to meet the demands of growing plants. In order for fire to exist, it needs fuel. The four things cover all of life as we know it. The beginning of life in the womb, and the end of life in death. The nurturing of plants for food to sustain life, and the destroying of plants by fire.
The haughty arrogant person who distains his father and mother, will have his payday someday. He will be so despised and disgraced that no one will bury him. Four things leave no lasting trail to follow so they are not easy to understand, even though there is a unique beauty to each one. What keeps a large bird in the air with nothing around it that can be seen? How can a snake move in any controlled direction without legs? What makes a loaded ship move forward and there is nothing powering it that can be seen? What makes a man and a woman love each other? The only answer is divine power and wisdom.
In contrast to the beauty of love between a man and a woman, is the brazenness of adultery. When a conscience is hardened by perversion of what should be beautiful, it becomes base, coarse, valueless and meaningless. It is no more to an adulteress to sin in this way than to take a bite of food. Four things that are completely out of order, throw the course of life off kilter. A servant should serve, not lead. A fool should starve, not be rewarded for what he didn’t earn or deserve. A shrew of a woman shouldn’t have children, because she looks down on them with meanness and a patronizing attitude. A servant girl who takes the place of her mistress in her husband’s bed, creates deep-seated, unsolvable problems. She becomes overbearing in her attitude like Hagar and Sarah. All that maintains order in society is shaken by this kind of people.
In contrast to the sinfulness of humans is the wisdom of small creatures who seem helpless but they do what God created them to do. Weakness is not a hindrance to doing the will of God when we do what He intends. The weakness of ants is more than compensated for by the wisdom inherent in their created nature. Without demands, they prepare for their need well ahead of time, and cooperate with others of their own kind. They are wise in making preparation ahead of time. The small conies wisely live in rocky areas where they can be safe from predators which they are not able to fight. They are wise in building a safe place. Locusts are by nature, organized even by groups, and overcome all obstacles by their unity of order and direction even though there are no leaders. They know their own group and go forward in those “bands” in an orderly way that is like an army. Their wisdom is evident in an ordered and organized cooperation. The spider, more likely a lizard, is another small creature referred to. It is able to climb vertical walls, walk upside-down on ceilings and can move quickly because of the “hands” (feet) it has. Even though these creatures are small, they are fearless and can be found in kings’ palaces. Their wisdom is in their confidence and fearlessness.
The writer, Agur, contrasts the weak creatures of nature that hide and yet effectively survive, with four creatures that are just the opposite. A lion moves forward with stately measured steps that exude confidence and awareness of his position in his realm as king of beasts. The greyhound is a sleek fast running dog, but in this context, the animal referred to is probably a strutting rooster who moves among the flock of chickens with his head high, looking in every direction, and ready to take on anything or anyone who comes against his flock. He doesn’t back down from anything. The he-goat has the same haughtiness about it. He looks at a potential danger without blinking and with surefootedness no matter where he is. He takes slow forward steps indicating he is ready to go on the offensive to protect his interests. A king surrounded by loyal troops, dares enemies to attack him. He knows he can overcome the enemy with the courage and power of his soldiers and with his power and authority over them.
As a response to those creatures, to which God has given wisdom and authority, the writer gives a warning to people who are lifted up with pride. Forget about any evil you are planning. Clap your hand over your mouth and don’t say a word. Change your attitude quickly. If you want to keep living, get down off your “high horse.” If you keep on stirring up trouble, your will get more trouble than you can handle. If you keep provoking others, it will be you who bleeds. If you make someone angry, you will be the loser. Whoever Agur was, he knew how to put a lot of instruction in a few choice words and illustrations.