Proverbs 6
Cautions against Suretiship.This section teaches us that God’s Word gives wisdom not just for spiritual life, but also for practical matters. Solomon warns us to be careful with our money and responsibilities. Becoming a “surety” (someone who promises to pay another’s debt) can bring trouble and even ruin to a family. We should use good sense in our business dealings, and avoid decisions that could lead to regret or hardship for ourselves or our loved ones.v. 1–2: Solomon says, “If you have become surety for your friend… you are snared with the words of your mouth” (Proverbs 6:1–2 a). This means it is risky to promise to pay someone else’s debts, even if they are a friend. It is even more dangerous to do this for a stranger. It may seem simple to agree, just by saying yes or signing a paper, but getting out of such a promise is not easy. Words can become traps, so we must be careful what we say and agree to. – v. 3–5: If you have already made this mistake, Solomon advises, “deliver thyself… humble thyself, and make sure thy friend… give not sleep to thine eyes… deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter” (Proverbs 6:3–5 b). This means you should do everything possible to free yourself from this promise. Talk kindly and humbly to the person involved. Ask for release from the agreement. Do not rest until you are safe. Move quickly, because waiting can make things worse. Be as determined to escape as a deer or a bird trying to get out of a trap.General Wisdom: Solomon explains that it is not always wrong to help others by being a surety. Sometimes, it is kind or just, as when Paul promised to pay what Onesimus owed (Philemon 1:19 c). But in general, it is wise to avoid debt and not to risk more than you can afford. “The borrower is servant to the lender,” so Christians should not become slaves to money (1 Corinthians 7:23 d). Never promise to pay more than you are able, and if you do, work hard to get free from it (Ecclesiasticus 8:13). It is better to humble yourself and find a solution than to be stubborn and end up in trouble. Also, be careful not to share in another person’s sin before God (1 Timothy 5:22 e). If we are so eager to get free from debts to people, how much more should we seek to have our sins forgiven by God through Jesus Christ. Do not rest until you have made things right with God. – – Slothfulness Reproved.In this section, Solomon talks to people who are lazy and avoid work. He warns that laziness leads to poverty, just as surely as making unwise financial promises. Solomon uses the example of the ant to teach the value of hard work and preparation. He explains that if we waste our time or avoid our responsibilities, we will face serious consequences in both our daily lives and our spiritual lives.v. 6–8: Solomon says, “Go to the ant… consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6 f). He tells lazy people to learn from ants, who work hard without anyone forcing them. Ants gather food in the summer and store it for later. This teaches us to plan ahead and use opportunities wisely, both for our daily needs and our spiritual lives. Unlike ants, we have teachers and leaders to guide us, so we have even less excuse for being lazy (Philippians 3:17 g). – – v. 9–10: Solomon asks, “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?” (Proverbs 6:9 h). He scolds those who waste time and keep putting off their work. The lazy person always wants “a little sleep, a little slumber,” but this attitude leads to never getting anything done. Delaying work only makes us waste more time, and soon we have nothing left to show for it. This warning also applies to people who are slow to turn away from sin or to do what is right. – v. 11: Solomon warns that “poverty… shall come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man” . Laziness will bring poverty quietly and slowly at first, but it will surely come. In the end, the lazy person will have nothing, just like someone robbed by a thief. This is true for both our physical lives and our spiritual lives if we are careless and unprepared. The Seven Abominations.In this section, Solomon describes people who love to do evil and warns about the serious consequences of their actions. He explains that these people are not just lazy, but actively plan to hurt others. Solomon then lists seven things that God especially hates, most of which are harmful to other people and destroy peace in society. God’s hatred of these sins shows how much He cares about truth, justice, and harmony among people.v. 12–14: Solomon says, “A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a froward mouth” (Proverbs 6:12 i). This person is called “a man of Belial,” which means he is very evil and always looking for ways to do wrong, especially with his words. He uses tricks and secret signals—like winking, moving his feet, and making signs with his fingers—to carry out his wicked plans (Proverbs 6:13 j). His heart is full of evil, and he is always thinking of new ways to cause trouble. He enjoys making mischief just for the sake of it, not just for money or power. He is like the devil, both clever and cruel (Proverbs 6:14 k). – – v. 15: Solomon warns that disaster will come to this person. “Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy” . He will be punished quickly, with no warning or chance to fix things. When trouble comes, there will be no one to help him. This matches what Daniel wrote: He shall come to his end, and none shall help him (Daniel 11:45 l). v. 16–19: Solomon gives a list of seven things that are especially hateful to God: “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him” (Proverbs 6:16 m). The first is “a proud look.” God hates pride because it leads to many other sins and makes people think they are better than others. The second is “a lying tongue.” God values truth, so lying is very serious to Him. The third is “hands that shed innocent blood,” which means being cruel or violent, like the devil who “was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44 n). The fourth is “a heart that devises wicked imaginations,” or someone who is always planning evil. The fifth is “feet that are swift in running to mischief.” This means people who are quick and eager to do wrong. The sixth is “a false witness that speaks lies,” which is dangerous because it hurts others and destroys trust. The seventh, and maybe the worst, is “he that sows discord among brethren”—someone who stirs up fights and destroys peace between friends, family, or neighbors. God, who loves peace, hates it when people cause division and strife. – – – Parental Wisdom as a Guide for Life This section urges young people to listen to the advice and commands of their parents. Solomon warns that the teachings of both father and mother are important for life. He explains how these teachings act as a guide to keep people from danger and lead them in the right path. The passage stresses the value of learning from those with more experience and how parental wisdom can protect us from making serious mistakes.v. 20: My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of your mother . Solomon urges his child to pay careful attention to the rules and advice given by both parents. Children should not forget or ignore what their parents have taught them. These teachings are not only for childhood, but for all of life. Respecting and obeying your parents leads to a safer and happier life. v. 21: Bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them about your neck . Solomon advises that wisdom from parents should be kept close at all times. It should not just be remembered, but treasured and kept as precious. When advice is “bound” on the heart and neck, it means it is never forgotten and is always ready to guide and protect you. v. 22: When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you . If you remember your parents’ wise teachings, they will guide you in daily life, protect you when you are vulnerable, and remind you of what is right when you make choices. Good advice acts like a friend that is always with you, helping you make safe and wise decisions, no matter where you are or what you are doing. v. 23: For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life . Solomon says that the teachings and corrections we receive are like a lamp and light—they help us see the right way to go. Accepting correction and learning from it is the path to a good and successful life. When we listen to wise instruction, we avoid trouble and live in a way that pleases God. v. 24: To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman . One of the main reasons for obeying wise advice is protection from dangerous temptations. Solomon warns especially against being trapped by immoral people. When we keep good teaching in our hearts, it can help us recognize and avoid sin, especially when others try to trick us with flattering words. Guard Your Heart Against Lustv. 25: Lust not after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids .The greatest kindness we can do for ourselves is to keep far from this sin and to view it with the utmost dread and disgust. Solomon warns us not even to let our hearts be drawn by the beauty of a seductress. If you allow lust to take root in your heart, you have already committed adultery there. Do not be captivated by her looks or her flirtatious glances—they are snares and traps. Her eyes may seem alluring, but they are like arrows and fiery darts that wound and destroy, not in the way lovers imagine, but in a way that leads to ruin. What the world calls a “pleasing captivity” is actually a destroying one, worse than Egyptian slavery. The battle against lust begins in the heart and mind. v. 26: For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life .Solomon gives strong reasons to avoid sexual sin. First, it leads to poverty and ruin. Many have wasted their wealth and destroyed their bodies and souls for the sake of fleeting pleasure. Like the prodigal son who spent all he had on harlots and ended up feeding pigs, those who pursue such sin often find themselves reduced to beggary. This kind of poverty is especially bitter because it is self-inflicted. Moreover, the adulteress is not just after your money—she hunts for your very life. Sometimes, as with Delilah and Samson, this is intentional; but always, the end is destruction. Under God’s law, adultery was a capital crime. To risk everything for a moment’s pleasure is to be no better than a self-murderer. v. 27: Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? .Solomon uses a vivid image: just as no one can carry fire close to their chest without being burned, so no one can indulge in sexual temptation without suffering harm. To play with this sin is to play with fire. The way of this sin is downhill, and those who approach its temptations rarely escape without falling into the sin itself. It is madness to go near the edge of such a deep pit. v. 28: Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? .Just as it is impossible to walk on hot coals without burning your feet, so it is impossible to engage in sexual sin without suffering consequences. Those who keep company with people of ill repute and flirt with temptation cannot long remain innocent. They thrust themselves into danger and remove themselves from God’s protection. The presumptuous sinner who thinks he can escape punishment is as foolish as one who thinks he can handle fire and not be burned. The fire of lust kindles the fire of hell. v. 29: So he that goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whosoever touches her shall not be innocent .Anyone who becomes involved with another man’s wife cannot remain guiltless. Even an immodest touch puts one in grave danger. The path of adultery leads directly to destruction. God will not hold such a person guiltless, no matter how they excuse themselves. The consequences are certain and severe. v. 30: Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry .Solomon now compares adultery to theft. If a man steals because he is starving, people may not despise him; they may even pity him, understanding that desperate hunger drove him to it. Hunger will break through stone walls, and blame is often placed on those who allowed him to become so poor. Even if he is caught, the penalty is restitution, not death. v. 31: But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house .The law required a thief to pay back what he stole, sometimes up to seven times the value. Even if he had to give up everything he owned, his life was not forfeit. The punishment, though severe, was limited to his possessions. The Folly and Self-Destruction of Adulteryv. 32: But whoso commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he that does it destroys his own soul .Adultery is far worse than theft. The adulterer cannot excuse his sin by necessity or hunger; he acts out of wanton desire, breaking God’s law for the sake of lust. Such a person is utterly lacking in sense and understanding. He destroys his own soul—wounding his conscience, corrupting his reason, extinguishing spiritual life, and exposing himself to God’s wrath. The consequences are not just temporal, but eternal. v. 33: A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away .The shame of adultery is indelible. It brings a wound to one’s reputation and a dishonor to one’s family. Even if the guilt is forgiven through repentance, the reproach remains and clings to one’s memory. David’s sin with Bathsheba left a permanent stain on his character and gave God’s enemies reason to blaspheme. The infamy of this sin is not easily erased. v. 34: For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance .Adultery also exposes the sinner to the fury of the wronged husband. Jealousy is fierce and unrelenting—strong as death and cruel as the grave. When the adulterer is discovered, he would rather face a bear robbed of her cubs than the injured husband, who will pursue vengeance with all his might. In the day of reckoning, there will be no mercy. v. 35: He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts (Proverbs 6:35 o).No amount of compensation or bribery will pacify the jealous husband. Unlike theft, where restitution might satisfy the law, in the case of adultery, nothing but full justice will do. The only satisfaction is the execution of the law. Therefore, stand in awe and do not sin; do not expose yourself to suche end.
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