Proverbs 30.1-2
“The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.”
Nothing is known about Agur beyond what is written in this chapter. He is unknown to the rest of the Bible and to history. Nevertheless, he plays a timeless role in Proverbs chapter 30 as the human agent of God’s truth to us.
It should be noted that agur in Hebrew means “collector.” Thus some scholars speculate that Solomon, who is the collector of proverbs, is the author here, and he is simply using a pseudonym.
The message is that those who would be truly wise must first acknowledge their ignorance. Agur is convicted by his own lack of knowledge. He is obviously not someone “wise in his own eyes.”
We must first recognize our own ignorance and weakness before we can turn to God for true wisdom and insight. The language that Agur uses is extreme. He calls himself “stupid,” which indicates deep self-awareness of his shortcomings. This is humility before the Lord, and it is quite the opposite of the self-centered arrogance of those who reject God.
Ironically, acknowledgment of ignorance is where true wisdom begins. Agur reflects that in the next verse …
Proverbs 30.3
“I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.”
You can’t learn what you think you already know. As John Wooden often said, “It’s what you learn after you think you know it all that counts.” People who are truly wise are acutely aware of just how ignorant they are. On the other hand, those who think they are wise do not think they have to put any further effort into gaining knowledge and insight.
Humility is the key to the Lord’s treasure vault of wisdom.
“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:31-33)
