Here we are at Chapter Six of Proverbs. More warnings are before us, only because God loves us and wants the best for us.
It truly grieves Him when we make choices that will take us down unnecessary paths of hurt and pain.
This chapter is long, and has lots to digest, so we’ll do only Proverbs 6: 1-19, half of the chapter. So, let’s heed His warnings, and read out loud, once again:
“My son, (and daughters) if you have put up security for your neighbor,
if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
if you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth,
then do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go and humble yourself;
press your plea with your neighbor!
Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest–
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
A scoundrel and villain,
who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
who winks his eye,
signals with his feet
and motions with his fingers,
who plots evil with deceit in his heart–
he always stirs up dissension.
Therefore, disaster will overtake him in an instant;
he will suddenly be destroyed–without remedy.
There are six things the Lord hates;
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6: 1-19
This last section should be all alone when it talks about the seven things God hates. We will address that separately.
As we summarize let’s go back to the beginning and look at what was highlighted in these verses.
The chapter begins speaking of having “struck hands in a pledge” with another person.
What does that mean?
Well, in Biblical days the hands brought together is similar to our handshake when we close a deal.
One commentary said it this way: “Solomon warned his son against guaranteeing the debts of others, whether they were a friend or a stranger. This was the promise to pay the debts of the friend or stranger if they failed to pay.
To promise to pay the debts of another person is to put yourself in a trap. It is a promise made with the words of your mouth but could affect and afflict your wallet or purse.”
His advice to his son was to humble himself and ask to be released from the debt.
It’s ok to lend someone money, even as a co-signer, but if they are not able to pay, you risk losing your own wealth and destroying your own credit. If the borrower is not faithful, the person who “put up security” for them risks losing their own financial security.
Point #1 Don’t be foolish by thinking we can make another person’s life secure. Jesus is the only one who paid our debt. Only He secures and pays a debt we cannot owe. Be wise about rescuing someone out of their debt.
Now let’s address and look at the ant analogy.
The word sluggard or slacker is used here. This Hebrew term indicates irresponsibility and laziness.
The ant works hard without being told to. This type of work ethic comes from within to work hard.
To help us understand better, one commentary said, ” An ant is wise and worthy of imitation because she works hard without having to be told to work hard. The ethic of diligence comes from within and does not have to be imposed by a captain, overseer, or ruler.”
Point #2 Being wise is working hard and being responsible. Laziness and being a slacker are not an acceptable way to work to prepare for our future. The ant’s wisdom stores and provides food in summer to carry them through winter.
As we move along in the chapter, the writer is now pointing a deeper finger at being a sluggard, asking, “When will you get up from your sleep and slumber?”
He concludes that being lazy is opening the door for poverty.
Point #3 Hard work is an antidote to poverty. Don’t slack off too long, cause poverty may come when it’s too late to do anything about it. It’s wise not to dig that hole.
How can we define a scoundrel and villain in the next verses?
A scoundrel treats others badly and has no moral principles. He/she may be one who plots evil and deceit in their heart.
We all know those kinds of folks and coming to mind even now! They are always stirring up dissension.
Stand clear of them! They delight in destroying other people’s lives, but in the end, they will destroy their own.
Point #4 Be wise and discerning of another’s actions. In our discerning, we may ask this question: Is conflict or drama constantly arising when they are around? If so, it may be necessary to purge not only behaviors but people from our lives.
The last and most important section of these first nineteen verses are the six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him. Here they are:
- Haughty eyes.
- A lying tongue.
- Hands that shed innocent blood.
- A heart that devises wicked schemes.
- Feet that are quick to rush into evil.
- A false witness who lies.
- A man/woman who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Point #5 Let the things that God hates–we hate too.
These very specific warnings teach us how to NOT live a foolish life.
As adults, God delights when we use wisdom and learn to purge, remove, and separate ourselves from this foolish behavior. When we do, we are seeking peace and pursuing it. Too much damage done can lead to a life of unrest, conflict, and unnecessary stress.
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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