Day 4: Divine Revelation

The Lord reveals wisdom to us in two ways: general revelation and special revelation.

General Revelation

What creation tells us about God is called general revelation. God revealed much about His power, character, and purposes in creation (Romans 1:20). Proverbs shows us that God also teaches us about ourselves through nature. It compares various types of people humorously to animals with similar traits.

Special Revelation

While what God reveals through creation is called general revelation, what He reveals to people supernaturally is called special revelation. This includes Isaiah’s prophecies, Daniel’s visions, and Joseph’s dreams. The Bible is also special revelation, as is Jesus Himself (John 1:18).

Agur’s Search for Wisdom

In a poem near the end of Proverbs, Agur (likely a Jewish convert) describes his encounter with both general and special revelation.

Confession. First, Agur professes weariness over his search for wisdom. He can find neither enough wisdom nor enough knowledge of God on his own through general revelation. This makes him feel no better than an animal.

Questions. Next, Agur asks a series of rhetorical questions whose answers are all found in Scripture (special revelation). The answer to the who questions is “God.” The answer to "what is his name" is I AM and LORD (Exodus 3:13-15). In Solomon’s day, the answer to "what is the name of his son" would have been “Israel” or “Solomon,” for God called Israel and the kings descended from David, his “son” (Exodus 2:22; 2 Samuel 7:14; son was what great kings called subordinate kings). Of course, for the last two millennia the answer is Jesus, God’s only begotten Son.

Resolution. The poem ends with Agur’s initial despair resolved as he cites Psalm 18:30 and Deuteronomy 4:2. He knows now that wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One come by humbly accepting God’s revelation of himself through Scripture.

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As you read today’s proverbs, ponder your own search to know God and find wisdom. Finish by praying for wisdom.