Proverbs 30
PART 1
The words of this chapter of Proverbs were not said by the wise king, but by a man who was not learned in books, who seems not to have written the words but told them to two men who, perhaps, wrote them. There were many men in old times who could not go to schools, and did not know how to read or write, yet were learned men in other things. This man knew what is called, “Nature’s Book”, which some men who know men’s books know little about. He had watched the animals and birds and insects, and knew well their habits. He had heard the Scriptures for he said,
“Every word of God is pure...”Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee and thou be found a liar.” Verses 5, 6. Some have tried to add to the Bible, but their words have proved untrue.
This man’s words were called a “prophecy”, which means words telling what is not seen, or what is to be in a future time, or words to help others, so true prophecy must be learned from God (See Luke 22:64; John 11:51; 1 Cor. 14:3).
The questions here asked seem to be about the Lord Jesus, who had not then come to earth; he asked,
“Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered (controls) the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if thou canst tell?” Verse 4.
When the Lord Jesus was on earth He told the people that He had descended (come down) from heaven, and would ascend (go up) to heaven; He is also spoken of in the New Testament as with God, the Father, and creating all things (John 1:2, 3 and 3:13) So God had given Agur wisdom to tell ahead of the Lord Jesus’ coming to earth.
This man said that the Lord was “a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.” A shield is something to protect from danger, as soldiers used to wear shields to keep off the arrows and spears of their enemy. There have always been dangers for those who are the Lord’s; to trust Him is their protection.
There were two things the man prayed for, one that he should he kept from things that were “vain” (or quickly passing away), and from what was untrue; and that he should not be so poor he would steal, or so rich he would think he did not need the Lord. These things are what are natural for all to do, only by God’s help can they be overcome.
What two men who spoke boldly for the Lord Jesus were “unlearned men”? (Acts 1:13).
Against what do believers in the Lord need a shield of faith? (Ephesians 6:16).
ML 04/13/1941