As we have been gleaning from the Book of Proverbs, chapter thirty has not been used, so far. This is a unique chapter. It is not attributed to Solomon (some think "Agur" is a fictitious name for Solomon (same as Proverbs 31:1 cp. Ecclesiastes 1:1). It is full of little vignettes - short portions that describe or illustrate special qualities, characteristics, or themes. Altogether, they help us see positive or negative elements that we can use to put together our worldview.

The writer, Agur, is a virtually unknown sage / seer / writer / teacher. We have no other Scripture to use to identify him except Proverbs 30:1. The same can be said for his father, Jakeh, and his trainees, Ithiel and Ucal.

Agur's name means "gathered" / "gatherer." It gives us the idea that this man received wisdom and knowledge from others. The name "Jakeh" means "obedient / blameless / pious" (Some think that "Jakeh" could be another name for Solomon.). The name "Ithiel" means "God is with me." The name "Ucal" means "devoured." It's best not to push any symbolic ideas about the names of Agur's pupils. The Hebrew definitions of "Agur" and "Jakeh" have caused some translations of the first verse to read "The words of a gatherer, the son of the pious…"

Worldview - As Seen by the Many Vignettes of Proverbs Chapter Thirty

Proverbs 30:1-3 - Agur's Humility - Our view of the world must be formed from a humble position. One with an over-rated view of their knowledge, intellect, and wisdom can become argumentative and unreceptive to truth. Godly knowledge humbles us (Psalm 8:1-4; Job 42:1-6).

Proverbs 30:4-6 - A High View of God, the Son of God, and the Word of God - Our view of the world requires a reverence for life and for the life-giver. We would not know those things which are before us and above us unless they were revealed to us. We must first let our Creator speak to us through His word (Ecclesiastes 12:1; Isaiah 55:1-13 cp. Isaiah 2:22; 45:18-25; Jeremiah 22:29).

The question in Proverbs 30:4 at first overwhelms us (John 3:8 cp. Job 38:1-7; Isaiah 40:12-18). Then later we are given an answer by the Son of God Himself (John 3:11-13; 1:1-5; Psalm 2:1-12).

Proverbs 30:7-9 - A God-Centered Desire for Life - Our view of the world must be sought with pure motives. First, we cannot love and receive truth unless we are willing to reject and oppose vanity and lies. Second, our life's goal should be balanced living that will keep us humble and honest - useful to God and to our fellow man. Our goal is not fame, dominance, wealth, or mere materialism. We want to live by faith, to have godly expectations with patience and contentment, and to be a good example to others (I Timothy 6:3-11; II Timothy 2:22-26).

Proverbs 30:10 - Avoid a malignant Spirit / Mouth. - Our view of the world must contain love and respect for other humans. After expressing his desire to not deny the Lord, or to not take the name of his God in vain (Proverbs 30:9), now Agur expresses the importance of love and respect towards men. We cannot honor God, whom we cannot see, while we maliciously slander and revile our fellow man, whom we can see (James 3:9-10; I John 4:20 cp. Matthew 22:36-40). Proverbs 30:11-14 will deal with this more.

Proverbs 30:11-14 - Identify and Avoid the "Wrong Crowd" cp. Psalm 1:1 - Our view of the world must also be able to discern good and evil. The Hebrew word for "generation" (KJV / NKJV) can be used to describe a period of time, or a group of people who live in a certain period of time. "Generation" can also mean a lifespan. But here, in this passage, "generation" is being used to describe a quality of people - a type, class, or kind of people. We don't want to belong to any of the generations that are described here. Other translations, instead of saying "There is a generation…," say, "There are those…," "There is a kind of person…," "Some people…," etc. Here are four descriptions:

• Proverbs 30:11 - Those who revile their Father and Mother cp. Proverbs 30:17
• Proverbs 30:12 - Those who are self-righteous
• Proverbs 30:13 - Those who are proud
• Proverbs 30:14 - Those who are destructive with their mouths and despise the poor

Carefully consider Matthew 15:1-14; 23:1-39; James 1:18-27; 2:1-13; 3:1-18; 4:1-12; 5:1-9.

Special note about family: We don't want to be one of those people who do not bless their parents. These people don't just forget to bless their parents. They actively curse and insult them, creating shame, sorrow, contention, and separation. This is an insult to God, whom we call "Father." It is also sin against society, as this sin unravels society's very fabric (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4 [parents have responsibilities too]; Malachi 4:6 cp Revelation 21:1-5; 22:1-4).

See also Isaiah 40:28-31; Philippians 4:13; Galatians 2:20; Romans 12:1-3, 18-21.