Our Proverbs discussion continues with Chapter 6 below.
1. Do Not Put Up Security for a Neighbor or a Stranger. We should be reluctant to put up for the debts of another as we should be prepared to pay all if that person is not able to pay their loan (Proverbs 6:1-2 ESV). As pointed out by Chuck Smith in his commentary this may also result in the end of the friendship. If you have done this, then make haste to be released from your pledge (Proverbs 6:3-5 ESV).
I think this is generally applicable to any type of arrangement where we are serving as a backstop to someone else's credibility, either their ability to pay or perhaps even vouching for them. Unless this person is an intimate (and even then) we are not them and so we have exposed ourselves to a liability. We need to really get to know the person before we should be comfortable being a backstop for their debts, promises, character, etc. and even then we should be cautious. We now live in a time where many freely provide recommendations but just as we should be careful of who we associate with, we should be careful who we endorse and recommend because we are putting social "capital" down even if it's not actual dollars and cents and our credibility and reputation is at risk.
2. Let Nature Be Your Guide. Solomon advises us to observe the ant and her ways and model ourselves after her industriousness lest we end up poor (Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV). Some of the commentaries I've read have some interesting discussion on ants (see Smith and Matthew Henry) and it's important to note that we can find wisdom in the smallest things. I think the ant was picked at least in part because the Lord was trying to say to us, pay very close attention, even something as small and generally beneath our notice as the ant has something to teach us. The Lord speaks through nature and so this is why he compares men to trees or talks about the sun and the moon and their appointed times or compares characteristics of men to animals. We would do well to take some time to observe the things around us and see what they have to tell us. It is also helpful to remember, as Jesus told us, that the Lord provides for even the flower and makes it beautiful (Matthew 6:29) so there is an attention to detail and more importantly love that is manifested in all of nature if we take the time to observe it.
3. The Characteristics of the Wicked Man. What does a wicked man do? These are some of his characteristics, he:
1) "goes about with crooked speech" (i.e. a liar, a hypocrite, a flatterer, slanderer, a reviler, a gossip)
2) "winks with his eyes" (i.e. a jokester, a fool)
3) "signals with his feet" (attempts to distract; is not straightforward)
4) "points with his fingers" (same as (3); also in your face, perhaps assertive)
5) "with perverted heart devises evil" (i.e. a schemer)
6) "continually sowing discord" (i.e. a gossip or slanderer)
(Proverbs 6:12-14 ESV)
If we see someone displaying these characteristics we should be on our guard.
4. Seven Detestable Sins. I was going to call this the seven deadly sins but I don't think that would be accurate. The Lord flags seven abominable sins:
1) "haughty eyes" (i.e. Pride)
2) "a lying tongue" (i.e. Deception/Falsity)
3) "hands that shed innocent blood" (i.e. Murder)
4) "a heart that devises wicked plans" (i.e. Vain Imaginations/Craftiness)
5) "feet that make haste to run to evil" (i.e. Evil Desire)
6) "a false witness who breathes out lies" (i.e. Perjury/Corruption of Justice)
7) "one who sows discord amongst brothers" (i.e. Gossip/Slander)
(Proverbs 6:7-19 ESV)
We see here that these sins lead to the instability and ultimately collapse of society. They are destructive of one's fellow man and the first of these is pride, which I feel is particularly detestable to the Lord (it was the sin of the Devil after all) (Matthew Henry's commentary has a good discussion of this and fleshes out some more of the discussion on these sins' destructiveness). I am also reminded of Psalm 133, which begins "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1 ESV). These sins serve to tear down the foundations of brotherhood and unity.
5. Keep Wisdom With You. We should remember our parents' teaching and commandments (and I would say other instructors as well) and bind them on our hearts and tie them around our necks that we may remember them (Proverbs 6:20-21 ESV). Moreover, lest we chaff at discipline, remember that "the reproofs of discipline are the way of life" (Proverbs 6:23 ESV).
6. There is No Bailment for Adultery. If you commit adultery know that the wronged party "will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts" (Proverbs 6:35 ESV). This is not like theft for hunger, it is gratuitous and therefore you cannot bail yourself out of it "[f]or jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge" (Proverbs 6:34 ESV; see also David Guzik's commentary).
*ESV=English Standard Version
1. Do Not Put Up Security for a Neighbor or a Stranger. We should be reluctant to put up for the debts of another as we should be prepared to pay all if that person is not able to pay their loan (Proverbs 6:1-2 ESV). As pointed out by Chuck Smith in his commentary this may also result in the end of the friendship. If you have done this, then make haste to be released from your pledge (Proverbs 6:3-5 ESV).
I think this is generally applicable to any type of arrangement where we are serving as a backstop to someone else's credibility, either their ability to pay or perhaps even vouching for them. Unless this person is an intimate (and even then) we are not them and so we have exposed ourselves to a liability. We need to really get to know the person before we should be comfortable being a backstop for their debts, promises, character, etc. and even then we should be cautious. We now live in a time where many freely provide recommendations but just as we should be careful of who we associate with, we should be careful who we endorse and recommend because we are putting social "capital" down even if it's not actual dollars and cents and our credibility and reputation is at risk.
2. Let Nature Be Your Guide. Solomon advises us to observe the ant and her ways and model ourselves after her industriousness lest we end up poor (Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV). Some of the commentaries I've read have some interesting discussion on ants (see Smith and Matthew Henry) and it's important to note that we can find wisdom in the smallest things. I think the ant was picked at least in part because the Lord was trying to say to us, pay very close attention, even something as small and generally beneath our notice as the ant has something to teach us. The Lord speaks through nature and so this is why he compares men to trees or talks about the sun and the moon and their appointed times or compares characteristics of men to animals. We would do well to take some time to observe the things around us and see what they have to tell us. It is also helpful to remember, as Jesus told us, that the Lord provides for even the flower and makes it beautiful (Matthew 6:29) so there is an attention to detail and more importantly love that is manifested in all of nature if we take the time to observe it.
3. The Characteristics of the Wicked Man. What does a wicked man do? These are some of his characteristics, he:
1) "goes about with crooked speech" (i.e. a liar, a hypocrite, a flatterer, slanderer, a reviler, a gossip)
2) "winks with his eyes" (i.e. a jokester, a fool)
3) "signals with his feet" (attempts to distract; is not straightforward)
4) "points with his fingers" (same as (3); also in your face, perhaps assertive)
5) "with perverted heart devises evil" (i.e. a schemer)
6) "continually sowing discord" (i.e. a gossip or slanderer)
(Proverbs 6:12-14 ESV)
If we see someone displaying these characteristics we should be on our guard.
4. Seven Detestable Sins. I was going to call this the seven deadly sins but I don't think that would be accurate. The Lord flags seven abominable sins:
1) "haughty eyes" (i.e. Pride)
2) "a lying tongue" (i.e. Deception/Falsity)
3) "hands that shed innocent blood" (i.e. Murder)
4) "a heart that devises wicked plans" (i.e. Vain Imaginations/Craftiness)
5) "feet that make haste to run to evil" (i.e. Evil Desire)
6) "a false witness who breathes out lies" (i.e. Perjury/Corruption of Justice)
7) "one who sows discord amongst brothers" (i.e. Gossip/Slander)
(Proverbs 6:7-19 ESV)
We see here that these sins lead to the instability and ultimately collapse of society. They are destructive of one's fellow man and the first of these is pride, which I feel is particularly detestable to the Lord (it was the sin of the Devil after all) (Matthew Henry's commentary has a good discussion of this and fleshes out some more of the discussion on these sins' destructiveness). I am also reminded of Psalm 133, which begins "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1 ESV). These sins serve to tear down the foundations of brotherhood and unity.
5. Keep Wisdom With You. We should remember our parents' teaching and commandments (and I would say other instructors as well) and bind them on our hearts and tie them around our necks that we may remember them (Proverbs 6:20-21 ESV). Moreover, lest we chaff at discipline, remember that "the reproofs of discipline are the way of life" (Proverbs 6:23 ESV).
6. There is No Bailment for Adultery. If you commit adultery know that the wronged party "will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts" (Proverbs 6:35 ESV). This is not like theft for hunger, it is gratuitous and therefore you cannot bail yourself out of it "[f]or jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge" (Proverbs 6:34 ESV; see also David Guzik's commentary).
*ESV=English Standard Version
