“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
John 5:39
Agur wrote to his friends a confession. It soon turned into a prayer, one that recognized God. [Note: In brackets there are some definitions.] “1. The words of Agur … 2. Surely I am more brutish [stupid; foolish] than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge [knowledge gained through the senses] of the holy. 4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? 5. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” (Proverbs 30:1–9)
Notice that he first recognized himself as a sinner (see verses 2–3). He does not know God.
He then recognized that he needed a Savior (see verses 3–4). He acknowledged that he could not understand. Compare this with 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” He did not know God, nor even His Son’s name. So he cried out, asking His name.
Where did he go for his answers? (See verse 5 and remember Psalm 12:6: “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”) He recognized the purity of God’s Word. All of God’s Word.
However, Agur noted one must be careful to not add to or change what God’s Word says to fit one’s need (see verse 6).
He then continued with a prayer for forgiveness, and provision (see verses 7-9). (Also remember the Lord’s Prayer most people have learned that is found in Matthew 6:9–13. Especially note verses 11–13a: “11.Give us this day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil …”). The man who was writing these verses in Proverbs wanted God to forgive him from the sin he now recognized. He then wanted God to only give him what he needed, so he would acknowledge that it came from God. Too much, and he would claim the glory himself, and with too little he would break God’s commands by stealing. This man’s heart sought to please God earnestly.
Just as Agur (in Proverbs 30) realized he was a sinful man and acknowledged that he needed God’s forgiveness by knowing His Son (Jesus Christ), each person must come to that point in his or her own heart and life. A decision must be made. After choosing God’s forgiveness (becoming a Christian), one should do as Agur did. Agur chose “every word of God” for it is pure.
What will you choose?
Christians should choose the wisdom found in God’s Word – and live it out in our lives thereby pleasing God. God’s wisdom is important to those who belong to Him. Read the following list of verses to help us remember the importance of not only reading, but studying the Word of God. We then must apply those truths to our lives.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Without searching the Scriptures, one cannot understand the need for salvation only found by trusting in Jesus (see 2 Timothy 3:15 and 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). It is more than uttering a simple prayer – it is a life change to trust in Jesus.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2). Diligently read the Bible, searching out the truths found therein.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). When one does not understand what is going on in life, seek God’s way. He knows all.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The more time a Christian will take to read and study God’s Word (the Bible), the more that one will understand God’s Word and know how to apply it to that life.
These are just a few of many verses that encourage Christians to read and know God’s Word.
Have you recognized the importance of knowing God’s wisdom found only in His Word?