“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. Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.” Proverbs 30:1-3
Devotional Thought For The Day
There is much debate among the commentators as to how to translate the first verse of this new chapter. It is possible that the author was identifying people to whom he was delivering the oracle, rather than describing his own personal weariness. This is an inherent difficulty in translating some portions of the Hebrew text where economy of space and ink was required. One can understand the influence the second verse might have on translational decisions in the first verse.
Nonetheless, those of us who are older and more enmeshed in the labors and difficulties of life in this fallen world will resonate strongly to the ESV translation above, and the description of being wearied and worn out. I am not as old as some, but older than most these days, and this ever more frequently becomes my prayer. I hear it and observe it also from peers. So it is obviously of some comfort that among those whose strength God renews there is also fatigue and loss of vigor.
The nature of the writing changes with this new chapter – the verses are not as short and pithy, and the context is more flowing. This too has occasioned much debate among the scholars. The temptation is always to assert too much in regard to issues that are not clearly settled by the text itself. It seems the best process would be to understand the words [which are certainly the Word of God and truth] within the context of other biblical principles – so that they move us in a godly and sanctifying direction.
The self-deprecation in verses two and three does not give us any clues as to the authorship of these proverbs, nor of his educational background. As we consider and contemplate our fallen and sinful condition, these are words which we could well use to describe ourselves. Likewise, when we consider the majesty of God’s wisdom and power [which will be referenced in the verses to come, and which much resemble God’s conversation with Job] we would also likely humble ourselves and lament how much knowledge has been lost to humanity through the fall into sin.
Such thoughts would move us to greater humility, and would provide us with some comfort at those times when we sorrowfully have to acknowledge how little we know and how resistant our sinful nature makes us to truly learning and understanding and practicing wisdom. The author will lead us into practical examples of this in the verses to come. Such humility then leads us to even greater joy in the assurances of God’s gracious mercy, forgiveness, love, patience, and kindness toward us. All blessings flow into our lives first and foremost in this fundamental wisdom of knowing God as He truly is [Jn. 17:3], and such humility is truth, that we have no natural or innate capacity for wisdom or to save ourselves [1 Cor. 2:14]. Such a person, understanding how low our sin has brought us, but also understanding what blessings God bestows upon us through His Word, may lament his brutishness – but he actually has the wisdom of God, the fear [reverence] of the Lord. To this blessedness we also aspire.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, grant us continued blessing and sanctification through Your Word, even though this involves weariness, humility, and utter dependence upon Your gracious and merciful love. Continue to deliver us from the foolishness of our sinful and rebellious nature, and grant us the true wisdom of knowing You and our heavenly Father. For this we require the generous apportionment of Your Spirit, so we pray for this as well. And we would also ask for You to make Your strength perfect in our weakness, and for grace to suffice in all our needs. For this we give You our eternal thanks and praise. Amen.