We do not know who this Agur is, much less his father Yaqué, but here we have one of the major concerns of the wisdom tradition’s followers: the truly wise believe that genuine wisdom is becoming increasingly complex to find. Only God is completely wise, and humans, no matter how much they try, can only catch glimpses of that great wisdom revealed to humanity through his word.
The prayer concludes with a request that is highly relevant today. It addresses the danger of wealth, which can replace God’s place in one’s life. Modern capitalism, in all its forms, has fostered an ideology that leads people to believe that the only valid value is money and possessions. In the service of this idol, many worshippers are found. Conversely, extreme poverty is also harmful because it may lead people to renounce God. The millions of men and women who are left destitute and hungry every day might wonder: to which God do they turn? What response do they receive from him? God is willing to respond, but only through those of us who consider ourselves his followers. What response are we giving? What image of God are we showing to those suffering from hunger and misery?