“Words of Agur and King Lemuel”

BIBLE READING: Proverbs 30-31

The last two chapters of Proverbs are written by Agur and King Lemuel. We do not know anything about either of these men. According to Richards in his book, Illustrated Bible Handbook, “The first section (2-9) are personal, sharing the writer’s awe of God and his own sense of inadequacy.  The rest (10-33) contain wisdom sayings that focus on nature rather than moral instruction.”  “Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.” (30:2-3) Notice the moral instruction in verses 18-19, “Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way  of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship on the high  seas, and the way of a man with a virgin.”

“Like Agur, Lemuel cannot be identified. The first section (1-9) contains his mother’s advice to him, warning against strong drink. The second section is an acrostic, in which each verse begins with a different Hebrew letter.” (Richards).  Chapter 31 praises all the traits of the good and capable wife: She is industrious, independent, strong generous to the poor, and most importantly. She “fears” or obeys God. Proverbs closes by calling for her family and the community to honor her. Chapter 31 is often used for “Mother’s Day” services or at memorial services to honor the beloved wife or woman who has passed away. It is probably second in line to Psalm 23 as one of the most quoted passages from the Old Testament.

It is interesting to note that the life of the woman described here is in contrast to what we have been made to believe about the woman’s role in biblical times. This woman’s life was not one of slavery or drudgery, or as a woman oppressed in a male-dominated society.  While it is true that in an agrarian society of the Old Testament, their lives were limited in occupational opportunities, but they had a significant and fulfilling place in the life of their family and community.  As you read verses 10-13 notice the life she lived.