seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Proverbs 6:1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go—to the point of exhaustion—[a]
and give your neighbor no rest!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go—to the point of exhaustion—[a]
and give your neighbor no rest!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
a. Proverbs 6:3 Or Go and humble yourself
The commentary this morning is from the easy English site.
In this poem, Solomon compares our mistakes to a hunter’s trap. When a hunter works, he may build traps. He hides his traps so that animals will not see them. He hopes that the animals will fall into his traps. Then he can kill and eat the animals.
In our lives, our mistakes can be like traps. Perhaps we want to do the right thing. Perhaps our plans are good. But our best plans could fail. Then, like a trap, our plans can destroy us.
In verse 1, Solomon’s son had good intentions. He wanted to help his neighbour. The son trusted the neighbour. The son tried to do the right thing, but the neighbour would not do the right thing. If his neighbour could not pay, Solomon’s son promised to pay instead. Now, his neighbour has failed to pay. The lender expects Solomon’s son to pay. The son’s plan failed and now he is in danger.
If Solomon’s son was proud, he could not escape. He is like an animal in a trap. He cannot free himself. He must ask for freedom. He must ask for help.
We should act quickly, like an animal that runs to escape from a hunter.
In our lives, our mistakes can be like traps. Perhaps we want to do the right thing. Perhaps our plans are good. But our best plans could fail. Then, like a trap, our plans can destroy us.
In verse 1, Solomon’s son had good intentions. He wanted to help his neighbour. The son trusted the neighbour. The son tried to do the right thing, but the neighbour would not do the right thing. If his neighbour could not pay, Solomon’s son promised to pay instead. Now, his neighbour has failed to pay. The lender expects Solomon’s son to pay. The son’s plan failed and now he is in danger.
If Solomon’s son was proud, he could not escape. He is like an animal in a trap. He cannot free himself. He must ask for freedom. He must ask for help.
We should act quickly, like an animal that runs to escape from a hunter.
Ever been stabbed in the back? Ever stood up for someone and then they went behind your back and filed a complaint on you? Ever stood up for someone only to find out what they've been feeding you is a pack of lies?
Many many many many many many years ago... I went to an AA meeting because a friend of mine was in a pickle and I wanted to help. I don't know what I was thinking.... my attendance at the AA meeting did nothing to help my friend [who didn't even go].
Many many many many many many years ago... I received a call that someone I know was in trouble in a small town where I just happened to have relatives. I called my uncle and asked him to check into it.... turns out it was a drug deal gone wrong and my uncle would have been involved in something he didn't need to be involved in. He didn't fall for the snare [even though I did]. My uncle, in this case... would be the guy would didn't guarantee the security of his friend.... he was smart... as soon as he saw it was a bad deal he backed out.... He called me and told me the whole story.... my friend was trying to get us snared in a trap he was trying to get out of.
Ever been caught holding the bag for someone else? At one of my jobs... the manager said she needed to take my company credit card because she left hers at home that day. I was really stupid. I followed orders... she bought a diamond ring with it.... and blamed it on me. She was stupid though and she wore the ring to work.... so my stupidity was only rivaled by hers.... but I almost got left holding that bag... as a matter of fact... I had my hands on the strap and was about to have to put it on my shoulder to carry. I wonder what possessed her to think no one would notice that ring.
