Mark A. Copeland
Surety, Sloth, Scoundrels, And Strumpets Proverbs 6:1-7:27 INTRODUCTION 1. The first nine chapters of Proverbs contain discourses extolling wisdom... a. Praising it over folly b. Illustrating its value in life 2. Interspersed throughout are exhortations regarding wisdom... a. Warnings against foolish conduct b. Counsel on behavior that reflects wisdom [Such is the case in the text for our study (Pro 6:1-7:27), where we find warnings concerning “Surety, Sloth, Scoundrels, and Strumpets.” Let’s start with the warning...] I. REGARDING SURETY (6:1-5) A. THE WARNING... 1. Do not become surety for a friend 2. That is, do not make yourself liable for someone else’s debt 3. If you do, get out of it as quickly as possible 4. If necessary, humble yourself and plead 5. The warning is repeated in Proverbs - Pro 11:15; 17:18 B. THE REASON... 1. It may seem like kindness to cosign a loan for a friend 2. But there are reasons it may not be (from the Believer’s Bible Commentary) a. You might be helping him to buy something which it is not God’s will for him to have b. You might be encouraging him to be a spendthrift or even a gambler c. If he defaults and you have to pay for something that is not your own, friendship will end and bitterness begin 3. Thus it may be better to simply give or loan the money personally - cf. Mt 5:42 [From being too eager to help, we now turn to being too eager to sleep as we consider a warning...] II. REGARDING SLOTH (6:6-11) A. THE WARNING... 1. For sluggards who prefer sleep to work 2. Learn wisdom from the lowly ant 3. Observe her diligence without need of overseer 4. How she provides in the summer and gathers in the harvest - cf. Pro 30:25 5. The emphasis is on being diligent in one’s work B. THE REASON... 1. Laziness is the parent of poverty Sermons From Proverbs
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