Two Things I Ask of You

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

04/29/2021

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Proverbs 30 opens with these words: "The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle." Who was Agur? We don't know. The names don't seem to be Israelite, although Agur means "one who is brave in the pursuit of wisdom." In any event, the fact that these words are designated as an "oracle," likely means they were being presented as this person's "last words."


Thus says the man: I am weary, O God, I am weary, O God. How can I prevail? Surely I am too stupid to be human; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the holy ones (or Holy One). Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is the person’s name? And what is the name of the person’s child? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.  (Prov. 30:1-6)

Meditation: Have you ever felt "too stupid to be human?" I have sometimes wondered if my dogs aren't perhaps more intelligent than me (especially when it seems I am being manipulated; they are cute, after all!), but in this case it seems that these words are being said by an elderly person wearied with life and perhaps frustrated or confused by what he has experienced. Even in his present state, however, he knows that knowledge comes from the words of God. 

Verses 7-9 are a prayer, the only prayer in the book of Proverbs. They express his dependence upon God, even for his daily bread (sound familiar?). Today's meditation concludes with his prayer and I invite you to make it your own: "Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need. Do not let me be full, and deny you, and say, 'Who is the Lord?'; do not let me be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God." Amen.
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Proverbs 30 opens with these words: "The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle." Who was Agur? We don't know. The names don't seem to be Israelite, although Agur means "one who is brave in the pursuit of wisdom." In any event, the fact that these words are designated as an "oracle," likely means they were being presented as this person's "last words."


Thus says the man: I am weary, O God, I am weary, O God. How can I prevail? Surely I am too stupid to be human; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the holy ones (or Holy One). Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is the person’s name? And what is the name of the person’s child? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.  (Prov. 30:1-6)

Meditation: Have you ever felt "too stupid to be human?" I have sometimes wondered if my dogs aren't perhaps more intelligent than me (especially when it seems I am being manipulated; they are cute, after all!), but in this case it seems that these words are being said by an elderly person wearied with life and perhaps frustrated or confused by what he has experienced. Even in his present state, however, he knows that knowledge comes from the words of God. 

Verses 7-9 are a prayer, the only prayer in the book of Proverbs. They express his dependence upon God, even for his daily bread (sound familiar?). Today's meditation concludes with his prayer and I invite you to make it your own: "Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need. Do not let me be full, and deny you, and say, 'Who is the Lord?'; do not let me be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God." Amen.
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