Proverbs 30:7–9

It is amazing to consider that this one chapter stands in a book written by the wisest of men, a book of highest wisdom. Another man wrote it, a man unknown, who confesses himself more senseless and ignorant than any man. This chapter follows the clearest possible statement of the principles of moral wisdom. Is this not meant to teach us that in reality this wisdom is beyond the ability man can find in himself to follow it? Even Solomon himself badly failed to keep his own advice. And the honest confession of man's ignorance of God is the only basis on which he can expect God to give him the wisdom he lacks. So this very confession of ignorance is wisdom.

The prayer of Agur in verses 7-9 links closely to the verses before it. He prays for deliverance from vanity and lies, so that he may have a true and honest heart. Such a heart is necessary for receiving the truth of God. Then he prays to have neither poverty nor riches. Poverty might drive him to steal and take the name of God in vain, and then he would reject His word. Riches would come to the same thing, as they might lead him to say, Who is the Lord?

First, vanity is the very realm in which the entire world moves. Man lives only for the present, and he has no substance that he can really grasp as his own. The objects of his labour and desire are only beautifully decorated bubbles, empty and ready to burst… "Lies" come in along with this, for these too have far too strong an influence in all of society. Only a true dependence upon God in prayer will preserve the child of God from either vanity or lies.

It seems unthinkable that a believer would sink to such a level as Solomon did, but wealth and ease can be a terrible snare even to one who is born of God. It is little wonder that Agur, whose words appear in a book written by Solomon, writes, "Give me neither poverty nor riches" (Prov. 30:8). He realised he could not trust himself with such riches.

Many pray Agur's first prayer, "Give me not poverty," but few pray his last prayer, "Give me not riches" (Prov. 30:8).

Agur in the book of Proverbs was godly, and of a lowly, self-judging spirit… He was a man of God, and walked in a good spirit. But he was not a devoted man. He did not know how to abound and how to suffer need. He dreaded poverty in case he should steal, and riches in case he should deny God. He was not prepared for changes. Neither was Job. But Paul was… He was instructed both to be full and to be hungry. He could do all things through Christ strengthening him.

The dependent spirit of a creature of God is seen here in its simplicity. Conscience is truly at work, along with a discerning distrust of the flesh. First, vanity is the very realm in which the whole world moves. Living only for the present, man has no substance he can grasp as his own. The objects of his work and desire are only beautifully decorated bubbles, empty and ready to burst. It is simply "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," with no substantial, eternal reality in it. "Lies" are added alongside this, because these too have far too strong an influence throughout society. Only real dependence on God in prayer will keep the child of God from either vanity or lies.

Many pray Agur's first prayer, "Give me not poverty," but few pray his last prayer, "Give me not riches."

At one point in Solomon's life he saw the danger of riches… As we follow the history of his reign, we find the love of riches growing on Solomon. God was too kind to His frail servant, and it cost him his soul.

He knows the serious dangers of wealth, which men so often trust in, showing little regard for the God who has blessed them.

Then comes a petition expressing dependence on God for our ordinary need. "Give us our needed bread for each day." It takes up the pure and simple need of the body. The word "daily" is a very imperfect rendering of the original term. The Greek word means our "enough" bread. It seems to have been formed on purpose for this idea, in contrast with having more than we need. To ask for more than enough would slight the wisdom of the Lord. He tells me to ask for bread enough for each day's wants.

On the other hand, poverty is not good either… The answer here again is a true, real faith that trusts the living God. That faith is expressed in this beautiful and honest prayer. He recognises the danger of stealing and of taking God's name in vain, and he will not trust himself; his trust is in God. If men steal to satisfy their hunger, they often use God's name to justify it, but this is false, an outrage against that name. We can understand a man's feelings when he steals in such a case. But honest prayer to God would bring a righteous answer, however hopeless the situation seemed. Can we not be sure that God will answer a prayer like this? It is clearly a prayer of faith.

He was a man of God, and he walked in a good spirit. But he was not a devoted man. He did not know how to have plenty and how to be in need. He dreaded poverty in case he should steal, and riches in case he should deny God. He was not prepared for changes. But Paul was. He had surrendered himself to Christ, as Agur had not. He was taught both to be full and to be hungry. He could do all things through Christ strengthening him.

The prayer of Agur in verses 7-9 is closely linked with the verses before it. He prays to be delivered from vanity and lies, so that he may have a true and honest heart. Such a heart is needed to receive the truth of God. Then he prays to have neither poverty nor riches. Poverty might tempt him to steal and take the name of God in vain, and then he would reject His Word. Riches would mean the same, since they might lead him to say, Who is the Lord?

Many pray Agur's first prayer, "Give me not poverty," but few pray his last prayer, "Give me not riches" (Prov. 30:8).

Prosperity often deafens the ear against God. "I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, I will not hear" (Jer. 22:21). Soft pleasures harden the heart. Prosperity has its honey, and also its sting… The spreading of a full table may be the spreading of a snare. Many have been sunk to hell with golden weights.

At one period of Solomon's life he saw the danger of riches… As we follow the history of his reign, we find the love of riches growing on him. God was too kind to His frail servant, and it cost him his soul. He had fleets at sea which brought him gold and silver in abundance.

"Who is Jehovah," said Pharaoh, in the pride and dense ignorance of his heart, "that I should obey His voice, to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go." (Ex. 5:2.) Such were the words of a mortal creature. But the Lord is known by the judgment which He executes. (Ps. 9:16.) This Pharaoh found to his cost; so men will find by and by.

The danger of stealing and taking God's Name in vain he recognizes, and will not trust himself, but his trust is in God. If men steal to satisfy their hunger, they often use God's Name to justify it. But this is false. It is an outrage against that Name. We can understand how a man feels when he steals in such a case. But honest prayer to God would bring a righteous answer, however hopeless the condition seemed. Can we not be quite sure that God will answer a prayer like this? It is clearly a prayer of faith.

It is a fundamental principle that pity should be shown to a sufferer by his friends, in case, under the stress of trial — as some have rendered it — "he should forsake the fear of the Almighty." Agur therefore prayed that he might be preserved from extreme poverty, "Lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain" (Prov. 30:9).

Then comes a petition expressive of dependence on God for our ordinary need. "Give us our needed bread for each day." It takes up the pure and simple need of the body. The word "daily" is a very imperfect expression in English of the original term. It really means our "sufficient" bread. The word seems to have been formed just for this idea, in contrast with having more than enough. One cannot without slighting the wisdom of the Lord ask for more than sufficiency.

He was godly, and of a lowly, self-judging spirit… But he was not a devoted man. He did not know how to abound and how to suffer need. He dreaded poverty in case he should steal, and riches in case he should deny God. He was not prepared for changes. Neither was Job. But Paul was… He was instructed both to be full and to be hungry. He could do all things through Christ strengthening him.