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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Proverbs Chapter 6

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Solomon, Agur, and Lemuel
Date Penned: (970-931 BC)
Overview: Wisdom to Teach People to Live Godly (c 1-31)
Theme: Wisdom for Young Men (c 1-9)
Message: Warning Against Foolish Actions (v 1-35)

Proverbs 6 Commentary 

(6:1-5) Financial Wisdom - These verses are not against helping someone financially but against overextending one's financial resources and acting in irresponsible ways that could lead to squandering money. It is important to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship. God wants us to help our friends and those who are in need, but he does not promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment we make. We should act responsibly so our own families do not suffer. 


(6:6-11) Consider the Ant - The last few moments of sleep are delicious; we savor them as we resist beginning another workday. But these verses warn against giving in to the temptation of laziness, of sleeping instead of working. This does not mean we should never rest: God gave us the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest and restoration. But we should not rest when we should be working. The ant is used as an example because this tiny creature utilizes its energy and resources economically. If laziness turns us from our responsibilities, poverty may soon bar us from the legitimate rest we should enjoy. 

(6:20-23) Parental Wisdom - It is natural and good for children, as they grow toward adulthood, to become increasingly independent of their parents. Young adults, however, should take care not to turn a deaf ear to their parents--to reject their advice just when it is needed most. If you are struggling with a decision or looking for insight, check with your parents or other older adults who know you well. Their extra years of experience may have given them the wisdom you seek. 

(6:25:35) Missing God's Best - Some people argue that breaking God's prohibition against sexual sin is all right if nobody gets hurt. In truth, somebody always gets hurt. In the case of adultery, spouses are devastated and children are scarred. Even if the partners themselves escape disease and unintended pregnancy, they may lose their ability to feel true sexual desire, to trust, and to be entirely open with another person. Relationships with children are weakened. The betrayed spouse loses self-worth. God's laws are not arbitrary. They do not forbid sexual pleasure within marriage: rather, they warn us against destroying ourselves through unwise actions or running ahead of God's timetable. 

(6:25) Avoiding Lust - Lust is an unnatural, immoral, or greedy desire for sex. Regard lust as a warning sign of danger ahead. When you notice that you are sexually attracted to a person or preoccupied with fantasies of him or her, your desires may quickly degenerate into lust. Ask God to help you have appropriate desires before lustful ones draw you into sin.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Consider the Ant


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 6. In our text today, we see the warning against foolish actions. We are given the example of the Ant and how his diligence produces prosperity. In making an application, we see how we need to consider the Ant. He works hard in the harvest, is not lazy, and is diligent. If we follow the Ant's example, we will prosper in this world. How about you? Are you diligent with the responsibilities the Lord gives you? Let us learn from our text today to remember not to be foolish but to consider the Ant, be diligent, and focus on what the Lord would have us do.

 

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Proverbs 6

Proverbs 6

 1My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

 2Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

 3Do 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.

 4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

 5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

 6Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

 7Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

 8Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

 9How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

 10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

 11So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

 12A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

 13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

 14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

 15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

 16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 20My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

 21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

 22When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

 23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

 24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

 25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

 26For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.

 27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

 28Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

 29So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

 30Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

 31But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

 32But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

 33A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

 34For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

 35He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.