Proverbs 30:1-3

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about what to do when we lack sense: 

Proverbs 30:1-3 (ESV)

The Words of Agur

1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.

The man declares, I am weary, O God;

I am weary, O God, and worn out.

2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man.

I have not the understanding of a man.

3 I have not learned wisdom,

nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.

Here are some awesome words that might puzzle those who are turning to Proverbs to find wisdom: Agur, the son of Jekeh, says he is "more stupid than any man" and that he does not "have the understanding of man." He goes on to say he has not "learned wisdom" or has not "the knowledge of the Holy One." These are some awesome words coming from an author, soon to be quoted in a book "full of wisdom" and written for those "seeking wisdom" (and the "answer of riddles” ... Proverbs 1). Why would Agur say such a thing? There is one thought that Agur is saying that he is not writing his own words but rather is copying out proverbs from someone else. That very well could be true. But, I think an alternative interpretation is that Agur has come to the understanding that he is not a Godly man and is not "qulafied to write" such heavenly and awesome truths. And, maybe that is the best way to become a writer of wisdom literature: You know you can't and that you are stupid ... it is only through God's power and through the Holy Spirit's ministry that Agur can compose such truths. We all should come to this understanding before we attempt to minister to others through the Word. Only God can make the "stupid" wise. Only God can turn man's frivolous words into God's powerful message. If it were not for God's power we would only be empty tools. God has the ability to give us meaning and give us a sound message. We may not have knowledge of the Holy One, but God can provide it.

The word “stupid” in the above verse is the Hebrew word, “baar.”   It means to be “brutish.”   A “brute” is a savage, violent person.   What Agur is saying is that, without God’s Wisdom (which he is about to write) he is simply a violent man, lacking any sense.   The book of Proverbs was written to correct that state of a man.  It is awesome that God used a brute to write to other brutes to change all of our bruteness by God’s amazing Word, received by faith.   We are brutes, without God’s Wisdom.  This is why we read God’s Word and Trust it.