Proverbs Chapter 6 by Mark Dunagan

PROVERBS CHAPTER 6

I. OUTLINE: I. Pitfalls For The Unwary: 6:1-35 A. Unlimited Liability: 6:1-5 B. Laziness: 6:6-11 C. The Mischief-Maker: 6:12-15 D. Seven Things Which God Hates: 6:16-19 E. Adultery: 6:20-35 “No one is prepared for life who has not learned some basic lessons on financial prudence, a meaningful work ethic, and moral precepts for dealing with society. In this text, Proverbs steps away from its larger exhortations and gives teachings in regard to four specific areas of behavior” (Garrett p. 95).

II. COMMENTARY: Warnings Against Cosigning 6:1 “surety”-i.e. to cosign, put up security for someone else, underwrite another’s debts. “Stranger”-lit., neighbor. “If thou hast entered into a bond for one with whom thou art but slightly acquainted” (P.P. Comm. p. 123). “It is a neutral term, coloured by its context, often meaning no more than ‘anyone’” (Kidner p. 72). Here is a foolish young man who impulsively extended a rash act of supposed generosity. Rather, it is very poor stewardship. Such a rash act of generosity might take a lifetime to pay. “Speaking up on a neighbor’s behalf in financial matters is just one more place where your mouth can get you into trouble. What may have seemed like a good deed has turned out to be foolish” (Alden p. 55).

6:2 Entangled by your own rash promises. Points To Note: 1. “Note that the Bible does not absolutely forbid taking on legal responsibilities for another person (Philemon 18). It does, however, here state that risking home and liberty in an enterprise over which one does not have direct control is consummate folly…seizure of assets and home and even the selling of the debtor into slavery were common penalties for failure to make payment and the cosigner could well have met the same fate” (Garrett p. 96). 2. This does bring up the question, is it wise to cosign for relatives or immediate family members? The person taking out the loan really needs to ask themselves, do I want a good friend, brother, sister, or parents being responsible for this loan if for one reason or another I cannot repay? Do I really want to put a loved one in such jeopardy? Do I want to be the cause for their financial ruin? I believe that wisdom would dictate that we should avoid cosigning for high interest loans and loans for things which aren’t necessities. Young people should have to earn the money to buy things which would be viewed as a luxury. And avoid cosigning for anyone, even a child or parent who hasn’t manifested maturity, responsibility and a good work ethic. 6:3 “humble yourself, and importune your neighbor”-This foolishness offers some hope of escape. “It may be painful and humiliating to kneel at your creditors feet and ask for mercy, but that is far better than having to pay the debt you cosigned for” (Alden pp. 55-56). But how often would we rather keep up appearances and suffer for it, then humble ourselves? Pride goes before a tremendous amount of personal suffering. 6:4-5 Do it now! Don’t let another day pass by without getting out from underneath this obligation. “The animal who is caught in the grip of a hunter is engaged in a life-and-death struggle, but so, in a way, is the son who is trapped into an ill-advised contract by a hasty handshake” (Alden p. 56).

Warning Against Sloth Like getting into ill-advised business dealings and contracts, sloth will ruin our lives. “In the case of suretyship such an issue is uncertain; there is the possibility of escape, the surety may prevail upon his friend to release him from

his obligation, and so he may escape ruin; but with sloth no such contingency is possible, its invariable end is disaster” (P.P. Comm. p. 125). 6:6 “Sluggard”-i.e. lazy one. 6:7-8 “The ants are models of diligence in that they work tirelessly in spite of having no taskmaster to goad them on, and they prepare for winter in spite of having no administration to lay out economic plans” (Garrett p. 96). The ant shames the lazy person. First, they don’t need a supervisor, whereas the sluggard won’t work unless he or she is prodded, threatened or constantly watched. The ant “knows the time”, whereas, to the lazy person all time is alike. Lest we are quick to think that we don’t fit into this category, ask yourself this question, “Do you work as hard as an ant?” Do we have to be prodded to get certain things done? Do we tend to relax or goof off when the boss isn’t looking? 6:9 The sluggard wastes time and opportunities. 6:10 “a little sleep”-Kidner notes, “He does not commit himself to a refusal, but deceives himself by the smallness of his surrenders. So, by inches and minutes, his opportunity slips away” (p. 42). 6:11 “This lesson comes too late. He will suddenly wake to find that poverty has arrived….and there is no arguing with it” (Kidner p. 43). Point To Note: There does come a time in life when you can’t recover from wasted opportunities. There will come a time when you can’t work as long or hard as you used to. There will come a time when your age or lack of experience will prevent you from making a wage that you can live on. “poverty and indebtedness cling to the slothful like incorrigible beggars who always linger about the house and always want more. Laziness will siphon off resources until the indolent have nothing left” (Garrett p. 97).

Warning Against Deceitfulness 6:12-13 Body language isn’t new. “The expressions in verse 13 seem to refer to any look or gesture that is put on and therefore a form of deception if not a way

of making insinuations” (Gaebelein p. 934). Gestures, tone of voice, and even facial expressions can be used in a sinful manner. “With a hint here, and a wink or gesture there, the trouble-makers can sow discord at will—until God’s hour strikes for him” (Kidner p. 72). Note, sinful attitudes can make us “worthless”. 6:14 The perversity originates in the heart (Matthew 7:20-23; Proverbs 4:23). This man or woman plots evil continually. They can’t be happy when truth and righteousness are prevailing (1 Corinthians 13:6). 6:14 “Who spreads strife”-Such strife can even be sown among dear friends by such a subtle-hearted person. “Such takes time to grow, but in time it will produce such a crop, verse 19” (Hunt p. 73). 6:15 He or she has plotted the downfall of others, usually for their own benefit, but their downfall is also being plotted, and when it comes it will come swiftly and without any hope of escape. When we see such people prospering and “getting away with it”, let us remember that God’s judgments are often “instant” and in a moment.

Conduct Which God Hates 6:16 “yes seven”-“is a way of showing that the list, though specific, is not exhaustive” (Kidner p. 73). Many other things in the Bible are also called “abominations” (check a concordance), in fact God also says that He hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). “abomination”-the basic idea is to abhor or loathe, what is morally repulsive. And God expects His people to abhor, or hate what He hates (Romans 12:9). We will be more much successful against sin and temptation if we grasp the disgusting nature of selfishness. Point To Note: Yes, God loves the whole world (John 3:16), and yet we are God’s enemy if we continue in rebellion to what is right (James 4:4). When we say, “Love the sinner, but hate the sin, we should be saying, give the sinner a chance to hear the truth, treat them with kindness, try to bring them out of the sin they are involved in”. But the sinner needs to realize that if they persist in their sin, not only is their attitude detestable to God, but they are equally disgusting.

6:17 “Haughty eyes”-i.e. an arrogant attitude, which not only raises itself up against others, “but fundamentally this reflects haughtiness before God and refusal to reckon with one’s finitude and creatureliness” (Garrett p. 98). An attitude that exalts human wisdom over God’s wisdom (Romans 1:22). “Pride is put first, because it is at the bottom of all disobedience and rebellion against God’s laws” (P.P. Comm. p. 131). Rather, God loves the humble, the contrite spirit, the person who stands in awe of His word (Isaiah 66:2). “a lying tongue”-“The detestable things are expressed in characteristically concrete, personal terms: the reader can almost catch the superior look and the shifty talk, and may wonder when his own hands were last employed to an innocent person’s detriment” (Kidner p. 73). And yet, in our society we tend to downplay the seriousness of lying. In fact, lying is often viewed as being “wise” and often the wisest course of action. The argument often is that telling the truth will end up getting you into too much trouble. 6:18 Yes, there are people who deliberately devise evil. So much for the idea that basically most people are honest and good. In fact, here are people who are in a hurry to do something wrong. “Such an individual regards the occasion to sin, when it appears, as a stroke of good luck and a terrific chance to get away with breaking a rule and perhaps get something for nothing….like the vandal who destroys property that he cannot steal, the real object is the simple joy of wrongdoing” (Garrett p. 98). 6:19 In light of this verse, we must always ask ourselves, “What am I trying to accomplish in this congregation? Am I working for honest unity? Do I love peace, or must I have things in a continual uproar to feel good about myself?” This is the opposite of the peacemaker (Matthew 5:9). “If He hates these things, then conversely He must love and desire, humility, truthful speech, preservation of life, pure thoughts, eagerness to do good things, honest witnesses and peaceful harmony” (Gaebelein p. 936).

The Value Of Parental Instruction 6:20-21 Sound parental instruction must be cherished and memorized. It must be adhered to inwardly. The child who heeds such instruction will manifest a life which is attractive and graceful. But the devil tries to convince young people that following parental instruction will make you unpopular. Yes, in the eyes of the selfish and immature you will probably be unpopular, but in the eyes of the mature, wise and intelligent, you will be admired, respected and appreciated. “the command to bind the teachings to the neck means that they are vital to the young man’s survival” (Garrett pp. 99-100).

6:22 Parental instruction that is cherished will guard and protect a young man or woman, even when their parents are absent. “Implicit in these verses is the basic understanding that a good home life—i.e., father and mother sharing the rearing of the children together—will go a long way to prevent youth from falling into immorality” (Gaebelein p. 936). This verse describes the delightful companionship of parental wisdom. “When you travel it leads you, when you lie down it protects you, and when you awake it advises you….Wisdom, like a faithful mate, will constantly be by your side as a friend and a helper” (Alden p. 59). Parental instruction which is valued and accepted, even years after such instruction had been given, will continually protect a young man or young woman. Oh, never under-estimate the importance of what you are teaching your children! 6:23 This verse implies that the parental instruction that had been given was rooted in Scripture (Psalm 119:105). “note how the parental rules and maxims of 20 are regarded as expressions of the absolute, divine law” (Kidner p. 73). Be impressed that parental instruction isn’t designed to make our lives more complicated, rather, the purpose is to provide a lamp so that many the pitfalls in life can be avoided. The very fact that truth is spoken of as a light (Psalm 19:8; 119:130; 105), makes it clear that truth should never be viewed as a burden or curse. 6:23 “reproofs for discipline are the way of life”-“reproof and correction point the way of life” (NEB). Even the unpleasant times that you were corrected as a child, were designed to lead you in the way of life (Hebrews 12:11). The verse infers that such discipline is essential, every child must be allowed to experience correction whose object is the discipline of the soul and the moral elevation of the character. The verse also might be inferring that the child who was so disciplined will find “life” and hence the greatest amount of happiness. Hence, the child who was taught self-control, as an adult will get more out of life than the child who wasn’t. One writer noted: “"An inevitable struggle between the individual and the several powers that go to make his individuality, begins in every child at his very birth, and continues so long as his life in the flesh continues. On the outcome of this struggle depends the ultimate character of him who struggles. It is, to him, bondage or mastery, defeat or triumph, failure or success, as a result of the battling that cannot be evaded...It is in a child's earlier struggles with himself that help can easiest be given to him, and that it is of greatest value for his own developing of character….hence it is that it rests with the parent to decide, while the child is still a child, whether the child shall be a slave to himself, or a master

of himself….to leave a child to himself in these earliest struggles with himself, is to put him at a sad disadvantage in all the future combats of his life's warfare..”

The Evil Woman

6:24 “evil woman”-lit., a woman of evil. A woman addicted to evil, wholly given over to it. In this context this woman is another man’s wife (6:29).

“From the smooth tongue of the adulteress”-(2:16; 5:3; 7:5,21). How many young men and women have been completely taken in by the flattery of someone who doesn’t have any morals? “Oh, the importance of the young man growing up and not being taken in by the ‘evil woman’ and her flattering tongue!” (Hunt p. 77). Remember, such evil women and men are basically dishonest and liars. If they left someone else, they will eventually leave you!

6:25 Don’t even start to lust after her—guard your heart! (4:23) “Men who have fallen into the sin of adultery have often begun with lustful looking. If a man looks at such a woman, she may seek to captivate him with her flirting eyes” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 918). Compare with James 1:13-15 and 2 Kings 9:30. “Playing with temptation is only the heart reaching out after sin” (Gaebelein p. 937). (Matthew 5:28)

Point To Note: This young man has free will! He can resist her attempts to flirt with him. But how many people in our society will argue, “When I saw her eyes, I just couldn’t help himself”. Or, “every time she/her looks at me with those big blue eyes, I just melt and become weak all over”. This verse reveals that the person who does give into temptation, has been thinking about it beforehand. If we refuse to lust after such a person, they can’t ensnare us.

6:26 “one is reduced to a loaf of bread”-adultery will strip a man of almost all that he has. The adulteress preys upon one’s very life by reducing it to poverty, dishonor, and a shortened life” (Alden p. 60). “Many sinful habits have cost men a lot of money over the years….The evil consequences brought to mankind by a money-making harlot are of no concern to her (she ‘hunteth for the previous life’)” (Hunt p. 77). “a wayward wife can prey on one’s very life, that is, bring

him to ruin and death (cf. 2:18-19; 5:5, 14; 7:22-23, 26-27)” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 918). Point To Note: While some might think that the above statement is an exaggeration, you could well ask men who have committed adultery and then went through a divorce, and they would probably agree with the above assessment.

6:27 This verse stresses the unavoidable pain that accompanies sex outside of marriage. But how many people have been deceived into thinking that they won’t get caught or that they can escape the harmful consequences? Dire consequences are inevitable! “As it is impossible to hold fire on one’s lap without burning his clothes or to walk on coals without burning one’s feet” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 919). What the adulterer is embracing is fire! “Scooping coals into one’s lap would represent holding the adulteress, and walking on coals would signify further sexual contact with her” (Gaebelein p. 938).

6:29-31 “The lesson is pressed home by a comparison. A thief, even when he is pitied, must pay up heavily; but an adulterer has disgraced himself for ever and made an implacable enemy” (Kidner p. 74). “people do despise a thief regardless of his inner motivation, and if one who steals only food becomes an object of public scorn, how much more will an adulterer be shamed?” (Alden p. 61). “People may sympathize with (but not approve of) a thief if he is attempting to avoid starvation. However, he had to repay sevenfold….the thief’s punishment, though difficult, is less severe than the adulterer’s. One who steals another’s wife finds no forgiveness and no leniency” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 919). Point To Note: Carefully note that stealing to avoid starvation is still wrong! The penalty outlined in the Law was still to be applied (Exodus 22:1). God isn’t impressed with situation ethics. And note, God doesn’t have any sympathy for the person who commits adultery, regardless of how “unhappy” they have been at home. If stealing food to avoid starvation cannot be justified, then how much more is adultery inexcusable—regardless of extenuating circumstances.

6:32 “lacking sense”-Involvement in adultery demonstrates one’s stupidity. Adultery is a kind of insanity and suicide.

6:33 “The offended husband is mentioned in verse 33; eventually he or his relatives exact vengeance on the adulterer by beating him up. Even the community joins in to heap scorn on the man who yielded to seduction” (Alden p. 61). 6:34 It is clear that such a jealous husband will blame you more than his unfaithful wife. And often he will believe her lies or pretense of complete and total innocence, i.e. he forced himself upon me. And the anger of such a man cannot be bought off with a bribe. “The price the angry husband demands is non-negotiable. He will be satisfied with nothing less than the death of the man who violated his wife” (Alden p. 62). Points To Note: 1. “The picture of the adulterer as social outcast may seem greatly overdrawn. If so, the adjustment that must be made is to say that in any healthy society such an act is social suicide” (Kidner pp. 74-75). 2. But our society is always trying to justify adultery. Typically, it is argued that the people who are the most in love are the people who are having the affairs, lest we mention the plots in the movies, The Scarlet Letter and Titanic? But, true love is never found in an adulterous relationship rather true lust is!