Proverbs 30 "Agur the Great?"

Who in the world is Agur (other than delicious French Cheese)?According to the Bible, he is the author of Proverbs 30 (v.1, "The words of Agur."). He is the son of Jakeh, the oracle. Who is Jakeh?

I was doing some research and it seems this answer alludes us. There is no firm scholarly consensus on the actual identity of this Agur character. Early rabbis and the church fathers identified Agur as Solomon, which is a good possibility. But other than speculation, there is no firm factual evidence to point us in any direction.

What we do know is that he was the son of Jakeh, the oracle, and was writing to Ithiel and Ucal. Who in the world is Ithiel and who is Ucal? My fancy research software says Ithiel was a Benjamite (Neh 11:7), but other than that, and unidentified man in Proverbs. The same goes for Ucal.

I don't really have a point to make in all this other than the fact that some things in the Bible are unknown and probably best left that way. Does it really matter the identity of these guys? Probably not. But we like to speculate and guess and prod and probe to find meaning. Me thinks if there was meaning to be had with knowing who these guys were, God would have told us.

I do have a point in all this rambling. This discussion leads in to the proverb from chapter 30.

v. 6, "Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar."

In this interesting chapter (including the interesting/controversial chapter 31) Agur remarks on the importance of letting God's word stand on its own. There is loads of truth in this (obviously, why else would Agur write it?), especially in this era. We are a scholarly people, which is a good thing. We had the enlightenment, the age of reason, and modernity (and post-modernity) with its seemingly endless pursuit of knowing everything. We have mountains of data and research that tell us what means this and what probably mean that. I can give you a million scholarly opinions on what this verse says and on what that chapter means. These are all good things, but at some point it is good just to step back and enjoy God's Word. To soak it up and let it get into you.

I am as guilty as the next guy who studies the Bible in speculation. There is something said about this in much of the New Testament as well. 1st Timothy comes to mind. When Paul is instructing young Tim in the proper order and administration of the Ephesian church, Paul instructs Tim to be mindful of worthless speculation and unfruitful genealogical discussions.

How much of our time is spent on endless speculation? I admit that maybe I spend to much time on this. I'm not saying its bad to speculate, I'm just saying that it isn't that helpful. Agur has a good point. When teaching the Bible, it is safe to keep God's words just that, God's words. This is a helpful thing for us to remember. Will this change your life? Maybe, maybe not. But it will give you an appreciation of God's word.

So today, enjoy God's word for God's word. As the crazy looking creature told Ezekiel in Eze 3:1,

"1 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.” ² So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 

³ Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. 

When there is a delicious slice of pizza in front of you, you don't spend all day studying it, you eat it, and it is delicious and it fills you up. Eat the Bible, consume it and let it move through you. Enjoy it for what it is, beautiful, instructive, self-revelatory, and complete. Bible study is good and very fruitful. But today (and maybe another day), just read it for fun, read it for worship- read it for deliciousness.

PJ