Sermon Tone Analysis
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ME: Intro - Reading the Instructions
Growing up, my dad often had me help with projects around the house.
I always enjoyed it and felt like I learned how to be relatively handy.
As a result, whenever I got something that needed assembling,
Like a piece of furniture,
The first thing I would do after opening the box is take the instructions,
Aaaand promptly set them aside.
I might look at the picture on the box,
Then immediately start grabbing parts and pieces and putting things together.
Sure enough, I would get done and there would be parts left over.
Or something would look different from the picture,
Legs would be backward or uneven.
Then, I go looking for the instructions to figure out where I went wrong.
Causing me to undo part of what I just did,
Then reassembling everything,
According to the manufacturers instructions.
This is kinda the idea of Proverbs chapter 30.
It is the Manufacturers instructions for this world.
Proverbs teaches that there is a pattern to this world.
There are certain ways it works,
And wisdom is living in a way that follows the Manufacturer’s instructions.
So, ch. 30 gives us Words for living in this world.
Slide
These words teach us three important truths:
Look Up For Wisdom (vs.
1-9)
Look Out For Foolishness (vs.
10-14)
Look Around With Wisdom (vs.
15-33)
Live wisely in this world through the One Who made the world.
Our passage this morning is written as a Psalm of wisdom.
The brilliance of this chapter largely comes from the authors profound humility.
He expresses this disdain for all forms of arrogance.
But he also seems to be genuinely fascinated by the world and its ways.
He groups together humans and animals for both moral and spiritual lessons.
But he never displays this domineering attitude as he writes.
Rather he writes as someone excited by this world,
Inviting us to look with eyes of faith to see the Artist Who made it all.
And the first place he invites us to look,
Is to Look Up For Wisdom
WE: Look Up For Wisdom (vs.
1-9)
Slide
This is what vs. 1-9 teaches us.
Vs. 1 shows us that Agur is credited as the author.
This guy is a bit of a mystery.
There is nothing else about him in Scripture or other ancient records.
Many assume that he could be a foreigner,
Which would explain why he is not in other Hebrew records.
Either way, it is clear that he is a follower of God.
And Solomon, the man who wrote most of Proverbs,
By the leading of the Holy Spirit, included the words of Agur in Proverbs.
So, we can trust that this chapter is God’s Word.
Further evidence to support this is that it is referred to as an oracle.
An oracle is a message from God.
Slide
For example, Malachi 1:1 is introduced as...
Slide
Also, the declaration in vs. 1 is the word generally used to announce a declaration of the Lord.
Slide
For example, Gen 22:16 uses the word:
Slide
So, after introducing himself as the author and making it clear that this is God’s Word,
Agur describes himself as ignorant in vs. 2-3.
He says he is more stupid than any other person.
He seems to know that he lacks the ability to fully understand God.
He confesses that he is limited when it comes to wisdom.
He displays what Proverbs has repeatedly taught up to this point,
And that is that humility is the first step on the path of wisdom.
In other words, to be wise you must first recognize that you are not wise.
Wisdom begins with God.
But Agur’s belief is not merely an example of humility.
It is ultimately a declaration of God, and His ways.
He is acutely aware of the limitations of human wisdom and knowledge,
Contrasted against an all-knowing God.
God is not some object on a laboratory table we make speculations about.
No, He is the infinite and personal Creator in whom we trust.
So, Agur’s description of himself is a bit ironic,
Because his ultimate purpose is to highlight God’s all-knowing character.
Slide
In preparing to point to lessons we can learn from creation later in this chapter,
Agur begins by expressing this conviction that knowledge based solely on observing creation cannot fully comprehend God in vs. 4.
He makes this point through a series of questions that demonstrates wisdom belongs to God.
The first question asks who ascended to heaven and came down.
No human can do this,
Slide
But John 3:13 answers;
Slide
The second and third questions talk about gathering wind and binding water,
This refers to God’s control over thunderstorms.
Something that no human can do.
Just like, as the fourth question asks, no human created the world,
The fifth question asks if we know God’s character.
And also asks what is the name of God’s son.
At this time in human history,
No one knew the name of God’s Son.
But today, we do!
We know His name is Jesus Christ!
Slide
As the Father declared about Jesus in Luke 9:35:
So, these questions show that God’s Son is the only One who has access to God’s wisdom,
Because He is the only one who has access to heaven.
Therefore, the only way to access wisdom is by looking to God’s Son.
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