Chapter 30

Proverbs 30 (Is)

"I am too ignorant to be human, and I lack common sense. 3 I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One. 4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name – and his son's name? Tell me if you know!" Proverbs 30:2-4 (NLT)

So there is this guy named Agur who is an oracle and he is talking to a couple of his friends. (By the way, an oracle is someone considered to be a source of wise counsel.) Agur strikes a chord with me because of his attitude and straight shooting.

Let me paraphrase these verses.
"Hey guys, check this out. I'm as clueless as anyone; probably even more than most folks. I'm unfit to act like I've got basic human "wisdom" figured out and I sure as heck can't pretend to understand God."

He then asks some rhetorical questions that sketch a picture of a God who has no equal.
Who else can do what God can do? Who controls the elements? Who is the creator of all things? What's his name?

Discard for a moment the idiotic viewpoint that there is no God or that there is another god who is equal and can accomplish these things. Agur is speaking from a Hebrew viewpoint where there is but one God. These people had a culture system that is entirely built around God. If there is anyone who ought to know something about God at this point in history, it's probably a Hebrew oracle like Agur. We know he's humble enough to admit he doesn't have it figured out and if you continue reading Proverbs chapter thirty you'll see him ask God for no more than what he needs. Agur knows his place and is aware of how the "stuff" of the world can pull us away from God. This guy is no idiot.

God is not one we can conquer, figure out, control, or apply science to. He's in ultimate control and has no equal. Thank God that his nature is love and through his love we have a path to true life. Let's not fool ourselves that we did something to be "good enough" or that we are "wise". True wisdom is knowing that we need God.