King Solomon was the third king over Israel. Solomon ruled with wisdom over Israel for 40 years, securing stability through treaties with foreign powers. He is celebrated for his wisdom and for building the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Solomon wrote much of the book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes, and Solomon wrote two psalms: Psalm 72 Psalm 127. Proverbs Chapter 6 Proverbs 6:1 “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,” Surety for thy friend means to put up security for someone else’s loan.Proverbs 6 – Wisdom to a Son on Debts and Work, Sin and Seduction. A. The foolishness of taking on other’s debts. 1. (1-2) Taking debts of friends or strangers. My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, You are snared by the words of your mouth;The first of the wise lessons in this chapter relates to wisely caring for one’s existing wealth. Solomon especially urges his son to avoid financial entanglements by not entering into a surety agreement. In rough terms, this means being extremely cautious about cosigning a loan. If he does cosign, and realizes he’s gotten into a risky situation, he should try to get out of the deal even if doing so causes humiliation. While this does not prohibit all forms of debt or lending, this Scripture strongly advises being careful not to waste what has been earned (Proverbs 6:1–5). Just as cosigning for an untrustworthy person might cause poverty, laziness is another way a person can become destitute. Solomon tells his son to consider the ant. Without supervision, it works hard to meet its needs both present and future. Unless a person works, poverty will overtake him as surely as a robber or an armed man overtakes his victim. Here, again, the general principles are seen in common sense. Wasted opportunities cannot be “made up” when times get hard (Proverbs 6:6–11). The Bible points out that a wise person refuses to stir up strife. As with all proverbs, this is meant as general wisdom. In most circumstances, those who aggravate trouble are those most likely to suffer from it. Beyond that, God has particular distaste for certain sins associated with troublemakers. A “worthless person” is described as one who uses corrupt, deceptive speech and deceptive signals to sow discord. The list of God-hated attitudes includes arrogance, deceit, violence against the innocent, an evil heart, and lies. Summarizing these sins is the idea of someone who creates controversy or hatred among others (Proverbs 6:12–19). Solomon counsels his son to abide by his parents’ teaching. These lessons from experience will guide him and keep him from danger. As with other statements, this is a question of risk versus reward. Those who make good choices are not absolutely guaranteed a good outcome—evil and chance can still happen. Yet it’s clearly true that those who follow wise paths are less likely to run into trouble than those who act stupidly (Proverbs 6:20–23). One application of godly wisdom, both literal and symbolic, is safety from “the adulteress.” While men are generally more susceptible to seduction than women, the general idea applies to everyone. Solomon warns his son to avoid falling prey to smooth talk, alluring beauty, and enticing glances. Solomon compares an illicit relationship to that of carrying fire next to the chest and to walking on hot coals. Both actions cause pain. An adulterer, Solomon says, is senseless and self-destructive. Society might have sympathy for a starving man who steals bread—but not for a man who violates his neighbor’s wife. Adulterers risk suffering from revenge and shame (Proverbs 6:24–35).
Proverbs Chapter 6:1-35
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 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. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that Jesus Christ dwells all the wisdom of the Godhead bodily and I am part of His spiritual body and one with Him by faith and promise. I believe that I would be granted wisdom to choose the good and stay clear of the evil of this world and that my life may be rooted in Him so deeply that His mind will influence my actions, attitudes, words and behavior so that Christ light is seen in me. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Proverbs 6:6
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