Proverbs 30:1-5
 
Prov 30:1 (KJB)
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
 
Agur is someone which remains a mystery and many believe it might just be another name for Solomon. Ucal is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Ithiel is mentioned in Nehemiah 11:7. (Neh 11:7 KJV) And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah. If you recall back in Proverbs 25:1, we read. (Prov 25:1 KJV) These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. Nehemiah was written about 445 B.C and Hezekiah reigned from about 716-687 B.C so there would be at least a 225 year difference between the two Ithiel’s if this part of Proverbs was also part of the Hezekiah find. So Ithiel too remains a mystery. What we must keep in mind, that although we do not know who these men are, they are included in the Bible and we must see this section as the Word of God as we do any other part of it. Therefore, when the verse speaks about the prophecy of Agur, we know that this is part of the Word of God and must never be doubted.
 
Prov 30:2 (KJB)
Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
 
Brutish - Stupid - In the sense of one who does not fear the Lord.
Understanding - Insight or faculty of understanding
 
Here Agur is speaking in the terms of being stupid. Now he is not saying that he is stupid in the sense that he is acting like a fool but he is stating that his understanding is not of a man. He did not possess the full matured understanding of someone who studied the Scriptures for many years. His understanding was limited in scope and was probably like a novice. In comparison to those who had mature understanding, it was like he had none.
 
Prov 30:3 (KJB)
I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
 
Here he speaks of the fact that he was not a learned man in the Scriptures and because of that his knowledge of God was very limited. Based on this verse, maybe his parents did not bring him up in the study of the Scriptures and maybe they did not go to the Temple or else he would have learned something of the LORD. He probably never had the chance to learn while he was growing up but that does not preclude the rest of his life as a student of Scripture.
 
Prov 30:4 (KJB)
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered 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?
 
Agur asks a series of five questions. These questions are meant to be answered after one takes on a course of studying to know God. His upbringing left him void of knowing God but isn’t it interesting that on the fifth question, he asks what is His name and His son’s name? How would he know that the Almighty has a son? This tells us that this did not come from his mind but through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit because he stated in the previous verse that he had no knowledge of the holy and the source of all holiness is God. Let us take a look at the questions which were asked.
 
1) Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? (John 3:13 KJV) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. This would be a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ who ascended to Heaven at His ascension but descended from Heaven through the virgin birth. (Gen 28:12 KJV) And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Figuratively Jacob’s ladder was the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
2) who hath gathered the wind in his fists? (Psa 135:7 KJV) He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
 
3) who hath bound the waters in a garment? (Job 26:8 KJV) He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
 
4) who hath established all the ends of the earth? (Job 38:4 KJV) Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
 
5) what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? (Dan 3:25 KJV) He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
 
It is quite interesting that for person who did not know much, he definitely asked the right questions.
 
Prov 30:5 (KJB)
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
 
The Word of God reveals the character and the person of God. Those who learn the Word of God will be protected by these words. Once someone knows the true words of God, they will not be able to be taken in by false teachings. Those that place their trust in God are the ones who are saved. (Psa 91:4 KJV) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. David knew the truth of those words that God’s truth will be a shield to those who abide in Christ. God’s word is the only protection we have against being snared into false teachings and their path to hell.

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