"I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven and come down?" Proverbs 30:2-4a
What a way to open up a speech. In school, we are taught to speak with authority and assertiveness; never questioning ourselves in front of an audience. People take classes on speaking, and I'm confident that their professor skips the lesson on "state your weaknesses first."
Agur, the oracle, takes a unique approach with his words by intentionally forfeiting his credibility before saying anything else. Why would he do this? I believe the answer is in his closing words.
"If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife."
By claiming his inadequacy from the very beginning, he allows the Lord to reign completely adequate. Agur grasps his human limitation, and uses this weakness to exalt the Lord. Throughout the text of this chapter, the writer models humility and a walk with God that is strong. James 4:10 reminds us, "humble yourselves before the Lord…" Agur has truly taken this instruction to heart. He has put his humility into action. There is a challenge for all of us, to put our humility into action; beyond intention.
Humility: n. the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank.
He knew that God was more important, and he was humble enough to state it clearly. This makes his words, following his surrender to the Lord's position, the wisest of all.
Let us look to one more key aspect of Agur's thoughts: verses 7-8 "Two things I ask of you, O Lord….give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread…" His humility was great enough to know that too much or too little would only cultivate distraction in his life. Distraction from God. What a great demonstration of humility --- asking God for just enough. Or, simply asking God to give him Himself above any provision.
"I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding," said Agur. He may join us as being the most ignorant of men, but he also joins the many who sincerely walk in the wisdom of Jesus.
