Agur began with three declarations. The subject of each is God.
30:2-4 Behind this ironical section one can perhaps imagine Agur's sons claiming to be wiser than their father. Agur confessed his own limited understanding while at the same time making it clear that those he addressed knew no more than he did.
If wisdom is essentially a proper orientation to God, how could Agur say he had not learned wisdom but he knew God (v. 3)? In view of the context (vv. 2, 4) he probably meant that he had not reached a high level of wisdom. "Wisdom"in Proverbs means understanding as well as godliness (e.g., 1:1b; 2:2; et al.). Agur humbly regarded his own discernment as limited, but he did not claim to be a fool.
The only Person who meets Agur's qualifications in verse 5 is God (cf. Job 38-41; Prov. 8:24-29). He is the only One with perfect understanding. "What is His name?"implies, "Do you fully understand Him?"In the ancient world knowledge of a god's name implied understanding of his characteristics, power over him, and closeness to him. The question about His Son's name evidently means, "Has He imparted His nature or attributes to any other who may in any sense be called His Son?"201In the fullness of time God sent His Son to reveal His character and nature more completely than anyone had known them previously (Heb. 1:1-2).
30:5-6 Agur treasured the revelation that God had given. "Tested"means "smelted,"purified (cf. Ps. 12:6). It was trustworthy. Agur regarded the aim of revelation to be the promotion of trust in God, not just knowledge (v. 5b). Adding to God's revelation is a serious offense (v. 6; cf. Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18).
30:7-9 Agur asked God not to lead him into temptation (Matt. 6:13). He had more concern for his purity before God than about his place among men. Poverty and wealth both bring with them certain temptations that the middle-class citizen does not face, at least as strongly. Abundance tempts us to feel unrealistically self-sufficient (cf. Deut. 8:11-14; John 15:5). Need tempts us to stop trusting God and resort to acts that harm others.
