In chapters10-29 we have details given as to how the principles of the preceding chapters are to be carried out. They would teach us to avoid the snares of a foolish life, where man would go on according to the desires of a deceitful heart. From them we would also learn how to walk the path of wisdom in the fear of the Lord. But as we have remarked earlier, the Book of Proverbs gives us heavenly wisdom for an earthly path, so it is not here a question of redemption. We must turn to the New Testament to learn that which alone can give peace to the soul. This can only be had through faith in what our Lord Jesus Christ has wrought on Calvary’s cross.
We must pass over these chapters since to comment on them in detail would take us beyond the scope of our little paper. But we would seek to set them before our reader as deserving of his earnest attention. No other writings hold out more attractive promises of rich reward to one who meditates on the instructions laid down in them. These chapters embrace a vast miscellaneous treasure, collected by Solomon and transmitted in safe keeping down to our day. It is like a heap of wheat; the grains are small but many, yet each is a separate whole and food for the soul. For “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:44But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4).
In chapter 30 we have what are said to be “the words of Agur the son of Jakeh,” which were spoken unto Ithiel and Ucal. Some have thought that Agur refers to Solomon, but we do not know if this is so or not. Whoever he might have been, his sayings have been incorporated by the Spirit into the Word of God.
He takes the place of nothingness, saying “Surely I am more brutish (stupid) than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom nor have the knowledge of the holy.” He that knows his own heart knows more evil of himself than any other.
The natural mind at its best cannot see nor understand who and what God is in His holiness and majesty. But Agur desires to know something of this One. “Who,” he asks, “hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?... who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if thou canst tell?” But this question remained unanswered until the coming of Him who descended first into the lower parts of the earth, but also ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” John 1:1818No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18).
We have in his chapter six sets of four things:
Four generations that are evil. (v. 11-14).
Four things that cannot be satisfied. (v. 15-16).
Four things that are beyond knowledge. (v. 18, 19).
Four things that cause unrest and are intolerable. (v. 21-23).
Four things that are weak but exceeding wise. (v. 24-28).
Four things that are stately and impressive. (v. 29-31).
ML 10/29/1961