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And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. – 1 Kings 4:29-31

The proverbs penned and collected during the reign of Solomon have filled this book until now. Turning to chapter 30, we find an introduction to an “oracle” by Agur, son of Jakeh. And at the beginning of 31 we read: The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him… Who these characters are is not known with any certainty. Some trace the names to foreign sages; others parse the names as adjectives and believe they are references to Solomon himself. In any case, given the preeminence of Solomon’s wisdom that is described in 1 Kings, their inclusion here bestows a high honor.

The oracle of Agur in chapter 30 is broken into two parts. The second half, from verse 10 on, is a collection of proverbs on general subjects, which seems built around a creative exercise concerning the number four. The first nine verses are a self-contained unit – perhaps the oracle itself – built around the credibility of the LORD’s word. You have to read the entire nine verses to garner the complete idea, and it helps to remember the foundational thesis of this book.

Chapter 31, of King Lenuel, is also a production in two Acts. The first nine verses are introduced as “An oracle his mother taught him,” where she asked, and he now asks, “What are you doing, my son?” Whether its speaker is presenting his past self for rebuke, or a present subject, is unclear – and likely beside the point. It sounds like instruction that is in accord with the LORD’s design that a young ruler should hear.

The second Act of Proverbs 31 is an acrostic poem – where each of the 22 verses begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet – about an excellent wife. Even though its creative style is only evident in the original Hebrew, I point it out because this influences how the lines are phrased. As elsewhere in Proverbs, treat these as observational and descriptive. Take into account the whole context of the poem without elevating one favored line above the rest. And allow verses that resonate to simmer for a bit, not because they are more important, but because there is something about them that connects to your own moment.

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Proverbs 30 through 31. Now let’s read it!

Proverbs 30 - 31

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the revelation: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: "Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don't have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know? "Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Don't you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar. "Two things I have asked of you. Don't deny me before I die. Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full, deny you, and say, 'Who is Jehovah?' or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. "Don't slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty. There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn't bless their mother. There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men. "The leech has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don't say, 'Enough!': Sheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough!' "The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it. "There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don't understand: The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maiden. "So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.' "For three things the earth trembles, and under four, it can't bear up: For a servant when he is king, a fool when he is filled with food, for an unloved woman when she is married, and a servant who is heir to her mistress. "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer. The hyraxes are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks. The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks. You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. "There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going: The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any; the greyhound; the male goat; and the king against whom there is no rising up. "If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth. For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the wringing of the nose produces blood, so the forcing of wrath produces strife." The words of King Lemuel--the revelation which his mother taught him: "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?' lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy." Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you excel them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

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