As I read the first two lines I laughed out loud.
Okay, maybe not out loud, but I had just say down tenderly groaning about my back, and stumbling around trying to find the right keys on the keyboard because I hadn’t had a cup of coffee yet….and here is Agur talking about being old and worn out. Both of which were not true in his case, I suspect. I’ll bet he wasn’t any older than me….probably younger. In fact, although he begins by saying “I don’t know anything” the next few lines gently remind the reader that they are no wiser than he. Agur has no idea what the name of God’s son is…nor did anyone in his day. I am reminded this morning that simply knowing that Jesus is the name of the Son of God is a privilege and honor. Many powerful and godly men did not know this. And to be filled with the presence of God? Unheard of except for the select few in Agur’s day. And today it is a common thing. How wonderful and privileged we are to enjoy these two gifts from God…to know His Son by name, and to enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I am listening carefully to Agur as he cautions against adding to God’s Word. Most of the Bible wasn’t written by this time, they had only the first 5 books, recorded by Moses. And maybe some other passages now lost to history. There are those who “add’ meaning to what the Bible is saying, and actually change the intent of the words….this is very dangerous, and those who twist the Bible in this way will one day pay for it.
This is one reason why I don’t preach that drinking is a sin. Make no mistake, I think drinking is a terrible idea, and nothing of any value comes from it. No one should drink alcoholic beverages. I think they should be eliminated entirely, they lead to poor job performance, failed marriages, abuse in the home, depressed social development and then there’s the physical side effects. After that, let’s not forget the countless deaths and injuries caused by people who were under the influence. Seriously, if we were wise, we would get rid of alcohol. It isn’t funny, it’s deadly.
However, the Bible does not say that it’s a sin, so I cannot preach that it is…even though I would like to. Prescription medication is good unless it’s abused, and I suspect that alcohol should be treated the same way. It has a purpose, but is subject to abuse and should be closely controlled.
Let’s take a look at some of Agur’s sayings:
In verse 18 Agur is talking about things that amaze him. Most of those things can be explained in detail today, taking all of the mystery and wonder out of them. (except for how we fall in love). However, God cannot be explained. We have solved some mysteries but when you look into the heavens you are filled with the same wonder that Agur felt as he saw a ship on the sea. Our lives should often be filled with moments where we reply in awe to God “how did you do that?” When I am studying something, and then see the same topic pop up in another article, or hear the song on the radio that I was humming in my head, or when someone shows up with an offer of help or advice, or whatever at the exact moment you needed it… “Lord, how do you do that?” Very cool.
I think Agur is saying that adulterous women have no shame, and without the possibility of being shamed there is nothing to stop us from wandering far away from God. I never want to feel ashamed of what I’ve done or said, but if it should happen, I should be thankful that the emotion is there…it creates a boundary that I don’t want to cross, and that keeps my wander-prone heart closer to God.
In 22 and following: I wonder what the problem is with servants becoming kings, etc? After all, in our history is was the common people who became war heroes, presidents, and leaders of society. No of us were born “noble”. Is God trying to tell us that there is a caste of nobility, and you are either in it, or you aren’t? I don’t think so. I think what’s being described here is the speed of a person’s ascent to power, or their qualifications to do so. The servant girl may well become a loving wife, but she shouldn’t do so if the man she serves is already married, if she does, the willingness to violate that law will reveal a character flaw in her that will cause problems in the marriage eventually. If the slave becomes king, and accepts the title with no training on how to think, react and behave, the kingdom is in jeopardy. The same is true for the overbearing fool. There is a proper way to move from low rank to higher rank, and a very good reason for the process exists. Those in leadership MUST think differently than those who are led. To be led by a person who thinks like a follower is to invite disaster.
I smile as I think of the ants, badgers, locusts and lizards. None of them are great by human standards, but every one of them accomplishes what we would agree are great feats. It makes me wonder if we truly recognize legitimate greatness.
Well, a few quick comments on Proverb 31 and we are done for the day:
When I was young I was sure that I knew what beauty was. There were some girls in my grade that were the definition of beauty. And most of them were popular, too. If you had asked me what the perfect woman looked like, I would probably have offered up one of their names.
A short time after high school one of these beauties moved away and became addicted to drugs while pursuing a career. Another was married and her youthful figure “changed significantly”. A few went to college, some stayed in the area….little by little a new picture began to appear that had nothing to do with beauty. Maturity, responsibility, wisdom and savvy began to appear in some of them. Those are the ones that this Proverb honors.
A quick “humble brag” about my own prowess in winning the heart of one of these beauties myself: I fell in love with a fresh faced, happy go lucky girl who was a cute as anyone I had ever seen. But over the years she has become so much more than that. While not losing her original beauty (sure, it’s changed), she has earned a degree while working a full time job, traveled the world (literally) and raised our 3 kids, sometimes alone while I was away on military duty. She has moved from one job to another, each time finding a position that was more advantageous to our family. Neither myself or any of my children could disagree with the fact that she has blessed the family, and made it what it truly is. In humility I understand that I could never have done what she has done. In pride I smile knowing that I talked her into marrying me.
Proverbs 31 women aren’t the smiling faces of teenage girls graduating high school, or even college. You cannot earn the title Proverbs 31 woman until you have lived some life, demonstrating wisdom, sacrifice and success. I know some Proverbs 31 women who aren’t married, and some who are married without children. But I don’t know any that haven’t sacrificed, or have paid some high prices for the title.
Faithfully
PR