Proverbs 6

Proverbs 6:1-5

The Mind of Man: The Path of the Loose Tongue - Sin first enters the heart (Proverbs 5:1-23), then it corrupts the mind (Proverbs 6:1-5), and finally, it defiles the body (Proverbs 6:6-11). Proverbs 5:1-23 shows the path of the adulteress as it defiles the heart. This passage (Proverbs 6:1-5) will show the path of the loose tongue. It is this loose tongue that will bring a man into bondage by making bad decisions. Proverbs 6:6-11 will show the path of the sluggard as it destroys the life of a man. Once the heart is corrupted, then the mind of man and his tongue become defiled. Note: Matthew 15:11, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Therefore, Proverbs 6:1-5 deals with the issue of making rash promises in order to please friends, who are really not friends, but rather, strangers. Decisions bring us into relationships with others. This is represented by the handshake in Proverbs 6:1. All decisions affect others. This passage of Scripture teaches us that if you find yourself making promises that you cannot keep, make every effort to deliver yourself from these promises. One verse that could summarize the theme of this passage found in 2 Corinthians 6:14. 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” We are not to be in covenants and agreements with others when it is unhealthy and not Scripturally founded. We should examine all of our commitments with others, with friends and organizations. We should lay aside those that do not please the Lord. We should find God’s plan for our lives and give our energies to those activities that God has ordained that we walk in. Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Proverbs 6:1 — “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend” - Word Study on “surety” - Gesenius says the Hebrew word (ςָ ?ψַ ?α) (H6148) means, “to be surety, to be liable for another’s debt.” He translates Isaiah 38:14, “take me under thy protection,” and Job 17:3, “be surety in the cause which I have with thee.” Holladay say it means, “Stand surety for” (Genesis 43:9; Genesis 44:32), “step in for” (Isaiah 38:14, Job 17:3) (Psalms 119:122), “pledge oneself as surety for debts” (Proverbs 22:26), “give security on behalf of” (Proverbs 6:1). Best illustrations: Genesis 38:12-26; Genesis 43:9; Genesis 44:32-34, Exodus 22:26-27, 1 Samuel 17, 18, 2 Kings 4:1-7; 2 Kings 14:14, Job 17:3, Psalms 119:122, Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 22:26-27; Proverbs 27:13, Isaiah 38:14. Illustration: Judah becomes surety for Benjamin’s life: Genesis 43:9, “I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:” Comments - There are a number of other words in the Hebrew for “pledge.” Gesenius says the Hebrew word “pledge” (ηָ ?αַ ?μ) (H2254) means, “To bind someone by a pledge, to take a pledge from someone.”

1. Ezekiel 18:16, “withholden the pledge” (KJV), “has not restored (to the debtor) his pledge” (AmpBible), “retain a pledge” (NASB). (also Ezekiel 18:12; Ezekiel 33:15)
2. Deuteronomy 24:6 says not to take in pledge something that hinders a man from working and bringing himself income for livelihood. Millstones are used to grind in the mill (Isaiah 47:2).
3. Deuteronomy 24:17 “nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge.” Also Exodus 22:26-27 Deuteronomy 24:6.
4. Job 22:6 “taken pledges of your brothers without cause”, Job 24:3 “they take the widows ox for a pledge.”
5. Amos 2:8 - They commit fornication upon garments taken as pledges beside every attar. These garments were to be restored by night. (ςֲ ?αεֹ ?θ) (H5667) - Deuteronomy 24:10-13 - How to take a pledge from someone. (ςֲ ?ψָ ?αεֹ ?ο) (H6162) - Genesis 38:17-20 - Judah and Tamar. Proverbs 6:1 — “if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger” – Word Study on “striken” - Gesenius says the Hebrew word “strike” (ϊָּ ?χַ ?ς) (H8628) means, “To strike in becoming security.” Best illustrations: Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 22:26, Job 17:3. Comments - The NIV reads, “struck hands in pledge for a stranger.” The shaking of a hand represents agreements and decisions that we make with others. Proverbs 6:1 — Comments - In a business environment, Proverbs 6:1 gives a warning of trying to please man. A business manager makes many decisions and comes into many agreements. A seasoned manager learns to make decisions that are carefully studied and weighted against the possible benefits and disadvantages of the company. In making these agreements, he learns to overcome the urge to please man out of fear. This verse describes a person who makes quick decisions that have little thought and research into them. It shows a man who is trying to please others out of fear, rather than trying to look out for his interests, or the interests of his company.

We are not to be in covenant with strangers. It will hinder our ability to make godly decision because we will be coming in agreement with the world and compromising the principles of God’s Word. Proverbs 6:1 — Scripture References - Note a similar verse: Proverbs 11:15, “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.” Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2 — Word Study on “taken” – Strong says the Hebrew word “taken” (μָ ?λַ ?γ) (H3920) means, “to catch, to capture.” Proverbs 6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Proverbs 6:3 — Word Study on “make sure” – Strong says the Hebrew word “make sure” (ψָ ?δַ ?α) (H7292) means, “to urge severly, to importune, to embolden, to capture, to insolently.” Webster says the word “importune” means, “to request with urgency.” ASV, “Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbor: Go, humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor;” Proverbs 6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Proverbs 6:4 — Comments - A person who has made such a foolish decision that incurs loss well knows how easy it is to lay awake at night and fret over how to get out of this situation. Therefore, this verse reveals God’s remedy to deliverance. We are to wait on Him in the stillness of night for a revelation from heaven on how to escape from our mistakes. My pastor has wisely said that if you do not pray about going into an agreement, then you will certainly pray getting out of it. God can bring you out, but not without some loss of sleep. Proverbs 6:5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Proverbs 6:5 — Comments - An animal caught in a trap is a great illustration of how great an effort must be taken in escaping from the snares of death. I remember being told by a Texas farmer the story of how a deer escaped from his barbed wire fence. He came into his field in the morning to find the hind leg of a deer hanging in his tangled fence. The deer had fallen into the fence while leaping over it. In its struggle between life and death, the deer had torn off his hind leg in a desperate effort to escape. I once caught a young bird with the intent of putting it in a cage. The bird fought with all of its little strength and managed to escape from my hands. Proverbs 6:3-5 — Comments - The Remedy – Proverbs 6:3-5 gives us the remedy to those who have made unwise agreements with others. It tells us to make every effort to get free from those covenants.

Proverbs 6:6-11

The Physical Body of Man: The Path of the Sluggard - Sin first enters the heart (Proverbs 5:1-23), then it corrupts the mind (Proverbs 6:1-5), and finally, it defiles the body (Proverbs 6:6-11). This explains why Jesus taught that it was not what went into the mouth that defiled the man, but that which came out of the mouth that defiled him. Matthew 15:11, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Proverbs 5:1-23 shows the path of the adulteress as it defiles the heart. Proverbs 6:1-5 shows the path of the loose tongue as it defiles the mind. Proverbs 6:6-11 will show the path of the sluggard as it destroys the life of a man. Thus, the theme of this passage is that the path of laziness will destroy a man by bringing him to poverty. Illustration - I grew up as a child having to work in the garden and feed the animals. I thought that Dad was being too hard on us. However, when I grew up and began to work on a job, I quickly saw its value. My willingness to work hard has benefited me all of my adult life. Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Proverbs 6:6 — Comments - Of all of God’s creatures, the ant becomes the greatest example of business. The ant is constantly in motion. As I type this note, I am watching ants crawl across the kitchen table searching for any meager scraps. Proverbs 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Proverbs 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:8 — “Provideth her meat in the summer” – Scripture References - Note a similar verse: Proverbs 10:5, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” Proverbs 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Proverbs 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: Proverbs 6:9-10 — Comments - When we first wake up in the morning we want to turn over and sleep a little longer. Proverbs 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:11 — “So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth” – Comments - A woman knows how quickly labour pains can set in and increase in intensity. Proverbs 6:11 — Comments - If we have not sowed any seed, one day a need will come and there will be no provision. Slothfulness was the reason for lack. It cannot be blamed on God. Laziness does not profit us in the kingdom of God. Proverbs 6:10-11 — Scripture References - Note the same verse in Proverbs 24:33-34 and a similar verse in Ecclesiastes 4:5 : Proverbs 24:33-34, “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” Ecclesiastes 4:5, “The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.”

Proverbs 6:12-7

The Characteristics of Evil People: Earthly Wisdom – Proverbs 6:12 to Proverbs 7:27 is a lengthy passage of Scripture deals with the characteristics of evil people, both the wicked man and the adulteress. This passage of Scripture teaches us about the nature of earthly wisdom, which is described as “earthly, sensual and devilish” (James 3:15). James 3:15, “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” As we step back and evaluate the lessons that we have learned thus far, we find a common factor in each of these sections. They all begin with wisdom calling us to take heed to God’s Words. Every one of these sections, the three paths of wisdom as well as the three paths of the fool, all begin with this came charge. This is because when we take time each day to mediate and study God’s Word, we allow our minds and hearts to become established in the truth so that we will not be deceived by all of the noise from the world. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Characteristics of the Wicked Man (Proverbs 6:12-19)
2. The Characteristics of the Adulteress (Proverbs 6:20 to Proverbs 7:27) The Adulteress Woman - Proverbs 5-7 deals in large part with the issue of an adulteress woman. Why would this lengthy introduction spend so much time describing and warning the readers about the harlot? Perhaps because this is the one area that trapped and deceived Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. Also, in a figurative sense, such spiritual adultery represents a believer who chooses to love the things of this world above his love for God. This seduction led to his backsliding from God. Therefore, much attention is given to this issue in the writings of Solomon. 1 Kings 11:4, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” An interesting writing on the seduction of women is given in a writing called The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.[69] [69] The author writes, “Pay no heed, therefore, to the beauty of women, and muse not upon their doings; but walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord, and be labouring in works, and roaming in study and among your flocks, until the Lord give to you a wife whom He will, that ye suffer not as I did. Until my father’s death I had not boldness to look stedfastly into the face of Jacob, or to speak to any of my brethren, because of my reproach; and even until now my conscience afflicteth me by reason of my sin. And my father comforted me; for he prayed for me unto the Lord, that the anger of the Lord might pass away from me, even as the Lord showed me. From henceforth, then, I was protected, and I sinned not. Therefore, my children, observe all things whatsoever I command you, and ye shall not sin. For fornication is the destruction of the soul, separating it from God, and bringing it near to idols, because it deceiveth the mind and understanding, and bringeth down young men into hell before their time.

For many hath fornication destroyed; because, though a man be old or noble, it maketh him a reproach and a laughing-stock with Beliar and the sons of men. For in that Joseph kept himself from every woman, and purged his thoughts from all fornication, he found favour before the Lord and men.

For the Egyptian woman did many things unto him, and called for magicians, and offered him love potions, and the purpose of his soul admitted no evil desire. Therefore the God of my fathers delivered him from every visible and hidden death. For if fornication overcome not the mind, neither shall Beliar overcome you. Hurtful are women, my children; because, since they have no power or strength over the man, they act subtilly through outward guise how they may draw him to themselves; and whom they cannot overcome by strength, him they overcome by craft. For moreover the angel of God told me concerning them, and taught me that women are overcome by the spirit of fornication more than men, and they devise in their heart against men; and by means of their adornment they deceive first their minds, and instil the poison by the glance of their eye, and then they take them captive by their doings, for a woman cannot overcome a man by force.” (The Testaments Of The Twelve Patriarchs 1.5-4)

Proverbs 6:20-7

The Characteristics of the Adulteress - Note that we have just finished a passage on the characteristics of the wicked man (Proverbs 6:12-19). Now we have a lengthy passage of Scripture that deals with the characteristics of the adulteress (Proverbs 6:20 to Proverbs 7:27). We have been given a brief glimpse of her characteristics in Proverbs 2:16-19; Proverbs 5:3-6. Now the Preacher is going to give his students a full revelation through this lengthy discourse on a personality that invades every leader’s life. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Effects of the Word of God upon our Spirit Man — Proverbs 6:20-232. The Cunning Devises of the Adulteress — Proverbs 6:24 to Proverbs 7:27 The Graphic Description of the Adulteress - The description of the dark street and the seduction of the simple-minded youth by the adulteress sounds as if the Preacher is recalling something that actually happened. Perhaps King David taught Solomon about the severe consequences of adultery (Proverbs 6:20-35), which he himself had experienced, by taking his son out into the streets to show him how the adulteress works (Proverbs 7:1-27). This event would have forever been imprinted into the mind of young Solomon so that he never forgot what he saw. David did not want his son to fall in the same way that he had fallen.

He knew how Satan would tempt his son the way he was tempted. Unfortunately, this is the area in which Solomon also fell. Therefore, Solomon dedicates a lengthy passage to this area because he knows and understands how powerful this strange woman can be in the life of a man of God. The Steps of Adultery Contrasted with the Steps of Marriage - Once King David taught Solomon about the severe consequences of adultery (Proverbs 6:20-35), which he himself had experienced, he then takes his son out on the streets to show him how the adulteress works (Proverbs 7:1-27). We can identify her method of seduction by contrasting it to the holy wedding ceremony of the bride and the groom found in Son 3:6 to Son 5:1. The adulteress woos her victims by presenting herself in seductive clothing (Proverbs 7:9-12), while the bridegroom presents himself in all of his wealth and glory (Son 3:6-11). The groom displays his strength and wealth, while the adulteress displays her appearance. While the bridegroom sings a love song to his bride (Son 4:1-15), the adulteress romances her victim with words of seduction (Proverbs 7:13-20). Finally, the wedding is consummated in the marriage bed (Son 4:16 to Son 5:1), while the adulteress lures her victim into the bed of adultery (Proverbs 7:21-23). The outcome of the marriage bed is rest and fulfillment of God’s divine plan for two individuals, while the outcome of adultery is destruction.

Proverbs 6:24-7

The Cunning Devises of the Adulteress – The adulteress is cunning and crafty. She seeks the life of her victim. She has a goal and she knows how to reach her goal, which is to gain a man’s wealth even when it costs him his life. She knows that to get a man’s wealth, she has to first win his heart. If she can take his heart, she knows that he will give his strength to fulfill the passions of his heart. He will yield his strength to obtain the wealth that is needed to bring him the desires of his heart.

Thus, she gets him to use his strength to yield his wealth to her. He will be brought to a piece of bread and even give his life when he is bound in service to the adulteress. She understands this principle because she has tested it from her youth. From the time that men started noticing her she started testing her boundaries and her power of seduction. She knows how to use her secret strength called seduction. With it she can force the strongest of men to yield their wealth to her. Let us follow this procedure of seduction. Her goal is to win his heart by means of enticement and seduction. She must first gain control over his mind. With control over his mind she can control his will. With control over his will she will capture his heart, which will lead him to use his strength to gain his wealth. She will not turn loose until she has brought him to a piece of bread and taken away his life. The battle begins with an attempt to enter the man’s mind. The entrances into the mind are through the five sense-gates of hearing, seeing, touching, tasting and smelling. This is the way God created man. The adulteress first uses her tongue to get the attention of her victim, and by flattery she enter the sense-gate of hearing (Proverbs 6:24, Proverbs 7:10). Her words are loud and persistent (Proverbs 7:11) and she does not give up easily. She can then enter the sense-gate of the eyes by dressing to reveal her fleshly body (Proverbs 6:25).

She knows from experience that few men will turn their eyes away from her fleshly beauty. This is why she must leave her domestic duties and go out into the streets (Proverbs 7:12). Once she has gained access to his mind through the sense gates of hearing and seeing, she grabs him to arouse the sense-gate of touch (Proverbs 7:13). With a bold kiss she enters the sense-gate of taste (Proverbs 7:13). Her perfume arouses the sense-gate of smell with which she has also prepared her bed (Proverbs 7:17). Thus, she has entered his five sense-gates: hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, smelling. With all five sense-gates aroused the simple man has no strength to resist. It takes a man of God to walk away from that situation. It takes a man who has already made the decision to say no in this situation. She has now captured his mind and moves into the next phase of seduction, which is reason. She speaks to him and convinces him with lying lips that he has captured her heart (Proverbs 7:14-15), when the opposite is actually true. With her persistence and her reason she forces him to yield (Proverbs 7:16-21).

He loses his sense of reason and yields himself to her reason, becoming blind to the fact that it will cost him his life (Proverbs 7:22-23). She has now captured his mind. With time in the bed of adultery she intends on taking her victim into the next phase, which is to capture his heart. Once she has his heart, she will be able to direct his paths and ultimately gain his wealth. In a similar way, wisdom asks for our hearts also. Because once wisdom has our hearts, she can lead us down the path that brings us blessings in every area of our lives. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Shame of Falling Prey to the Adulteress — Proverbs 6:24-35 —
2. Exhortation to Put God’s Word Before our Eyes — Proverbs 7:1-53. The Setting: Alluring the Five Sense-Gates — Proverbs 7:6-134. Capturing the Mind — Proverbs 7:14-215. Controlling the Heart — Proverbs 7:22-236. Final Warning — Proverbs 7:24-27