Introduction
Have ever promised to do something for someone but never got around to doing it?
Have you ever promised something to someone and regretted promising it?
Warnings Against Foolishness
‘My son, if you have put up security for your neighbour, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So, do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbour’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbour no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.’ Proverbs 6:1-5
What’s the writer saying here? He’s saying we need to keep a balance between helping people and looking after our own families.
What’s the point of giving someone £100 to help them, if you are going to leave yourself without any money for food? It’s not so much the amount we give but the way we give that counts, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 / 1 Timothy 6:10 / 2 Corinthians 9:7.
‘Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.’ Proverbs 6:6-11
What do we know about the ant? If anything, they are always busy and very well organised as a group.
Before I became a Christian, when I was younger my dad used to shout at me every single morning to get me out of bed and on Sunday mornings I was woken up by the wonderful sound of country and western music.
When we go to bed at night on a Sunday evening and we have a good night’s sleep but the alarm clock goes off, what do we feel like? Most of the time most of us don’t really want to get out of our beds, most of us want to sleep longer.
Have you ever taken a day off work even though there is nothing wrong with you? What the writer is saying here is that when we get a lazy attitude toward work, then the time will come when we won’t work and we’ll end up being poor.
God isn’t saying we can’t rest and chill, He’s not saying that we need to work seven days a week. He’s saying work when you are supposed to work and in between that time rest.
What about the preacher who works full time for God, why should he continue to work? Simply because of the reward, 1 Corinthians 15:58. Even though you are working in a place and your work may be different from the preacher, you’re still working for the Lord, Colossians 3:23-24.
‘A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up conflict. Therefore, disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed— without remedy.’ Proverbs 6:12-15
What kind of person is the writer describing here? He’s describing a troublemaker. They don’t work, they are lazy and all they do is go about making trouble.
The apostle Paul warns the young widows about becoming lazy busybodies, 1 Timothy 5:13. In other words, they cause trouble.
‘There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.’ Proverbs 6:16-19
1. What does the writer mean when he says, ‘haughty eyes’?
He’s speaking about being proud, being arrogant, James 4:6. Israel’s sin made Sodom look righteous. Ezekiel 16:49-50.
2. Why does God hate a liar?
Simply because they are hypocrites, 1 John 1:10 / James 3:7-10.
3. What do we call someone who sheds innocent blood?
We call them a murderer, and when did God put an end to killing humans? Straight after the flood, Genesis 9:1-6.
4. Why does He hate a deceitful heart?
The heart is what He wants from all people. When Joshua led the people into the Promised Land and all the land was given to the Israelites Joshua asked the Israelites where their hearts were, Joshua 24:20-24.
What did Moses say to the Israelites concerning the Ten Commandments? To love God with everything they’ve got, which includes the heart, Deuteronomy 6:5.
5. Why do people rush into evil?
They rush into evil, simply because they don’t care what the consequences are, Isaiah 59:7-8. They just don’t care about who they hurt, or the consequences, they don’t even care about God and His punishment.
6. What did God say about giving false testimony?
Giving false testimony was forbidden by God in the Law of Moses, Exodus 20:16. Have you ever had someone say false things about you? Maybe they have accused you of something you didn’t do? How did you feel?
What damage does that cause? It causes destruction, it destroys people’s lives and reputations.
7. Why does He say that He hates those who cause division?
Division is of the devil; it tears down instead of building up. Division causes the church to stop functioning properly, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. Each part has to do its work, it may have a different task but it is just as important as the other parts, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
What Solomon is saying is that all these things that are listed, totally destroy the unity of God’s purpose, 1 Peter 2:11-17. In other words, we are a walking, talking, praying, singing, and God-fearing examples to the world.
Warning Against Adultery
‘My son keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbour’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.’ Proverbs 6:20-24
Why should children always listen to their parents? They’ve lived longer, they have a lot more experiences in life, etc, Proverbs 1:8 / Proverbs 3:3. It is interesting how the father gives the commands and the mother does the teaching, Ephesians 6:11-24.
God’s commands keep children safe, Deuteronomy 6:6-9 / Psalm 119:105. Unlike what the world thinks about discipline, God tells us that discipline is a way of life.
‘Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.’ Proverbs 6:25-26
Why is there a difference in consequences between a prostitute and an adulteress? You pay for one but not the other. How can a prostitute reduce you to a loaf of bread? Simply because they cost money. How does the adulteress prey upon your life? They eventually wreck your life.
The two forms of evil bring, each of them, their own penalty. By the one, a man is brought to such poverty as to beg for ‘a piece of bread’ by the other and more deadly sin, he incurs a peril, which may affect his life, 1 Samuel 2:35-36 / 1 Kings 2:26-27.
‘Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.’ Proverbs 6:27-29
What is Solomon saying here? He’s basically saying if we touch, we will get burnt, you will get punished.
‘People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay seven-fold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away. For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe; however great it is.’ Proverb 6:30-35
What’s Solomon saying here? He’s saying if we do wrong, we will get punished, we will have to pay back, Exodus 22:1-4. Someone who commits adultery will always be ashamed, there’s no way of paying that back. Adultery is serious.