Two Things?

Proverbs 30:8-9 is one of the most frequently quoted portions of Scripture. A quick blog search will uncover a seemingly endless number of references to it. Yet, for all this, it is evident that the later part of the passage is emphasized with almost no thought to the first part of verse 8. Even the best commentaries in the history of the Christian Church (William Arnot, Charles Bridges, and Ralph Wardlaw) fail to make the connection.

In verse 7 Agur, son of Jakeh, prays, “Two things I ask of You deny me not before I die…” Agur then proceeds to make his two ultimate requests known to God. With the first, Agur asks the LORD to “remove far from me falsehood and lying.” With the second, “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me.” A reason is annexed to the second request in verse 9: “lest I be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?”  or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” Sadly, the first request and the reason for the first request is downplayed or largely ignored. Agur says in verses 5 and 6, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” These words form the basis of the first request. In the verses just prior to the statement about the truthfulness of God’s word and the warning not to pervert it, Agur asks, “Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!” The source of the answer is found in verses 5 and 6.

The series of questions that Agur asks in verse 3 and 4 are answered in the pure word of God mentioned in verse 5 and 6. It is only in the word of God that we come to know the Father and the Son. Therefore, to alter that word in anyway whatsoever would be tantamount to denying Him. To believe false things about the revelation of Christ would be to commit spiritual suicide. Therefore, Agur prays “deliver me from falsehood and lies.” The second petition, interestingly, is built on the first. In order to be full and “deny” the Lord you have to first know the Lord. In order to steal and “profane” the name of your God, you have to first know Him as your God. All of this is dependent on the first petition and on the right understanding of the revelation of the living God. The second petition has to do with contentment in our relationship with the God of Scripture. The second cannot be understood apart from the first.