“The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance. This man’s utterance to Ithiel: “I am weary, God, but I can prevail.”
There are almost as many theories of who Agur and Jakeh were as there are theologians. I have a pretty settled view on that but for our devotional purposes it really doesn’t matter. There is no serious theologian who argues that this chapter doesn’t belong in the sacred scriptures. An inspired utterance is a powerful thing. I have lots of utterances, some closer to grumbling, however very few if any rise to what could be called inspired in the Biblical sense. Scripture makes it clear we will be held to account for every word that comes out of our mouth. Back when I regularly worked with teens they loved to get into what they referred to as philosophical discussions. One of their favorites was about curse words. They liked to tell me that they didn’t really have any meaning, they were just letters put together that society put a meaning to and that when they said those words it was the listeners choice if the words were offensive or not. I know, teenager logic right. More importantly I talked with them about the power of words. Power to hurt or heal. As Jesus brother James put it, “to bless or curse”. The point is that while our utterances may not be inspired they can still be powerful and life altering, for better or worse. Today speak love and life and change the world. #BeTheEdge
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Jesus (Matthew 12:36-37 NIV)
