Text: “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me” (Proverbs 30:7-8).

Context, Context, Context: Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. It’s practical wisdom for everyday life. And the recurring pattern in Proverbs is that of “Not this but that.” Not folly but wisdom. Not lies but truth. Not deception but transparency. Not evil but good, etc.

Teaching: In Proverbs 30:7-8 Agur asks God for two things: 1) to be shaped into an honest man/be removed from false men and 2) to have his daily bread.

Connection to Christ: Remember Jesus’s sermon from Matthew 6:11? It’s part of his Sermon on the Mount: “Give us this day our daily bread . . .” It’s the same principle as you find in Proverbs 30:7-8, written centuries before. It’s all connected; it’s one coherent story.

Two Things:

• Honesty (one’s own and to not associate with liars)
• Provision

Encouragement: The wisdom literature is called that for a reason. Agur’s words are part of the canon of Scripture. He is teaching the same things Jesus taught, namely, that God’s people are to be known via their integrity and the company they keep and that God is our provider.