Have you ever felt the weight of regret after making a hasty decision, wishing you had paused to consider the consequences beforehand?
In Proverbs 6, we encounter a series of admonitions that serve as a stern reminder of the perils of folly and the importance of heeding wisdom’s counsel.
Reconnect: As we delve into Proverbs 6, we’re confronted with the sobering realities of life’s choices and their far-reaching implications. The sage wisdom offered in this chapter serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path of righteousness and warning against the pitfalls of ignorance and folly.
(Summarized and continued after the scripture)
Parental Counsel
1My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,
2If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,
3Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.
4Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
5Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
7Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
8Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
9How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
10“A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”—
11Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.
12A worthless person, a wicked man,
Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth,
13Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,
Who points with his fingers;
14Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil,
Who spreads strife.
15Therefore his calamity will come suddenly;
Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.
16There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.
20My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
21Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
22When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
23For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
24To keep you from the evil woman,
From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her capture you with her eyelids.
26For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread,
And an adulteress hunts for the precious life.
27Can a man take fire in his bosom
And his clothes not be burned?
28Or can a man walk on hot coals
And his feet not be scorched?
29So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
Whoever touches her will not go unpunished.
30Men do not despise a thief if he steals
To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
31But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold;
He must give all the substance of his house.
32The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense;
He who would destroy himself does it.
33Wounds and disgrace he will find,
And his reproach will not be blotted out.
34For jealousy enrages a man,
And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35He will not accept any ransom,
Nor will he be satisfied though you give many gifts.
Summary Key Points:
- The Danger of Surety for Others: The chapter begins with a caution against becoming ensnared by the debts of others, urging vigilance and discernment in financial matters. It emphasizes the importance of prudence and restraint, lest one find themselves bound by obligations beyond their means.
- The Warning Against Laziness: The sage admonishes against the allure of idleness and slothfulness, highlighting the destructive consequences of neglecting one’s responsibilities. Laziness is likened to a relentless predator, prowling in search of prey and leading to poverty and ruin.
- The Consequences of Adultery: The chapter issues a stern warning against the temptation of adultery, portraying it as a path of destruction that leads to grave consequences. The imagery used vividly illustrates the devastation wrought by infidelity, urging readers to guard their hearts and honor their commitments.
Call to Action:
As we reflect on the wisdom found in Proverbs 6, let us respond with:
- Prudent Stewardship: Let us exercise wisdom and discernment in our financial dealings, avoiding the snare of surety and practicing prudence in our commitments.
- Diligent Work Ethic: May we embrace a spirit of diligence and industry, recognizing the value of hard work and the perils of slothfulness. Let us fulfill our responsibilities with excellence, knowing that diligence leads to prosperity.
- Guarded Hearts: In matters of relationships and fidelity, let us remain vigilant and guard our hearts against the temptations of adultery. May we cherish and honor our commitments, fostering trust and fidelity in our relationships.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to navigate life’s choices with prudence and discernment. Help us to heed the warnings of folly and to embrace the path of righteousness laid out before us. Strengthen us to resist temptation and to walk in integrity, honoring You in all that we do. Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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