Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Proverbs
Book: Proverbs
Chapter: 30
Overview:
1-6 Agur speaks of himself as wanting a
Righteousness, and
having done very foolishly. And it becomes us all to have low
thoughts of ourselves. He speaks of himself as wanting
Revelation to guide him in the ways of
Truth and
Wisdom. The
more enlightened people are, the more they lament their
ignorance; the more they pray for clearer, still clearer
discoveries of
God, and his rich
Grace in
Christ Jesus. In ver.
4, there is a prophetic notice of Him who came down from
Heaven to be our Instructor and
Saviour, and then ascended into
Heaven to be our
Advocate. The
Messiah is here spoken of as a
Person distinct from the
Father, but his name as yet secret. The
great
Redeemer, in the glories of his
Providence and
Grace,
cannot be found out to
Perfection. Had it not been for
Christ,
the foundations of the
Earth had sunk under the load of the
Curse upon the ground, for
Man's
Sin. Who, and what is the
mighty One that doeth all this? There is not the least ground to
suspect anything wanting in the
Word of God; adding to his words
opens the way to errors and corruptions.
7-9 Agur wisely prayed for a middle state, that he might be
kept at a distance from temptations; he asked daily
Bread suited
to his station, his family, and his real good. There is a
remarkable similarity between this
Prayer and several clauses of
the
Lord's
Prayer. If we are removed from vanity and lies; if we
are interested in the pardoning
Love of
Christ, and have him for
our portion; if we walk with
God, then we shall have all we can
ask or think, as to spiritual things. When we consider how those
who have abundance are prone to abuse the
Gift, and what it is
to suffer want,
Agur's
Prayer will ever be found a
Wise one,
though seldom offered.
Food convenient; what is
So for one, may
not be
So for another; but we may be sure that our heavenly
Father will supply all our need, and not suffer us to want
anything good for us; and why should we wish for more?
10 Slander not a servant to his master, accuse him not in small
matters, to make mischief. 11-14. In every
Age there are
monsters of ingratitude who ill-treat their parents. Many
persuade themselves they are holy persons, whose hearts are full
of
Sin, and who practise secret wickedness. There are others
whose lofty pride is manifest. There have also been cruel
monsters in every
Age. 15-17. Cruelty and
Covetousness are two
daughters of the horseleech, that still cry, "Give, give," and
they are continually uneasy to themselves. Four things never are
satisfied, to which these devourers are compared. Those are
never rich that are always coveting. And many who have come to a
bad
End, have owned that their wicked
Courses began
By despising
their parents' authority. 18-20. Four things cannot be fully
known. The kingdom of nature is full of marvels. The fourth is a
Mystery of iniquity; the cursed arts
By which a vile seducer
gains the affections of a female; and the arts which a vile
Woman uses to conceal her wickedness. 21-23 Four sorts of
persons are very troublesome. Men of low origin and base
Spirit,
who, getting authority, become tyrants. Foolish and violent men
indulging in excesses. A
Woman of a contentious
Spirit and
vicious habits. A servant who has obtained undue influence. Let
those whom
Providence has advanced from low beginnings,
carefully watch against that
Sin which most easily besets them.
24-28. Four things that are little, are yet to be admired.
There are those who are
Poor in the world, and of small account,
yet
Wise for their souls and another world. 29-33. We may
learn from animals to go
Well; also to keep our temper under all
provocations. We must keep the evil thought in our minds from
breaking out into evil speeches. We must not stir up the
passions of others. Let nothing be said or done with violence,
but every thing with softness and calmness. Alas, how often have
we done foolishly in rising up against the
Lord our
King! Let us
humble ourselves before him. And having found peace with Him,
let us follow peace with all men.