Surely you know!

After 29 chapters of wisdom passed from a father to his son, and before the famous Proverbs 31 woman is introduced, we find the beautiful words of Agur in Proverbs 30. 

 No one really knows Agur's identity--few think it could be a "pen name" for King Solomon, the author of the first 29 chapters.  Most think that Agur and his father, Jakeh, were contemporaries of Solomon.  We know for sure that Agur has a burden to share;  the word "declare" is most often used in relation to prophets with a word from God.  

Starting in verse 5, Agur encourages his audience to study the word of God.  He wants them to study the "real thing", so they can recognize a counterfeit.  Agur breaks into prayer, asking two things.  That he will no longer be able to lie or be lied to, and that he will not experience poverty or riches.  He sees the danger in both--if he's rich, he will think he has no need for God.  And if he's poor, he's afraid he will be driven to steal, and drag God's Name through the mud in the process.  Agur notices that there are those around him who do not follow the path of wisdom, but instead choose the path of foolishness.  He says "They are washed clean in their own eyes, but are not washed of their filth." There are certain characteristics in the lives of those who choose folly--they are never satisfied,  they mock their parents, they are arrogant, and cruel.  Agur takes a break from his musings to consider some wonderful examples of things he can't quite understand--how an eagle soars in the sky, how a serpent warms on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, and the beauty of the wedding night.  He's distracted by the adulteress, Lady Folly (she's talked about in detail in the first 29 chapters.) But then he reorients himself to his study--the instability of certain scenarios; the wisdom in what might seem small; the grand magnificence of  confidence.  He then doles out some wisdom of his own--if you've been following the way of Lady Folly, STOP!!!  There are consequences to following her.  Just like we get curds when we press milk, and blood when we punch a nose--we get discord when we urge anger. The consequences of making unwise choices   

I love all of his wisdom and contemplating, but to find my favorite part of this chapter, we have to go back to verses 1-4.  I feel this guy's pain to my core.  I am weary, O God, and worn out.  I feel I am too stupid to even learn the easy things, let alone find wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One.  But God...He has made it plain.  He has put the cookies on the bottom shelf for us.  He has made wisdom into a Person--the Person of Jesus Christ.  Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?  Who has established all the ends of the earth?  What is his name, and what is his son's name?  Surely you know!"  Oh I do know.  His name is Jesus.  Only Jesus.