20-BSG-6C: CHAPTER OVERVIEW.

Characters: God, Solomon, his son.
Key Word: Warnings (Proverb 5:1).
Striking Verses: Proverb 6:6, 15, 16-19, 23, 32.

KEY WORD STUDY:
1. Seqer = breach of faith, lie; liar. [Prov. 6:17, A lying tongue; Prov. 6:19, A false witness].
2. Koper =bribe, ransom (to avoid impending punishment). See Pr. 6:35, “recompense” NKJV.

ISSUES AT A GLANCE:
1. Laziness
2. Lies and Deceits, False Witness
3. Sin, Repugnant to God
4. Warnings against evil
5. Responsibilities of fathers/ mothers
6. Negative aspects of speech
7. Injustice, hated by God

ISSUES FOR FURTHER STUDY:
1. Nature of sexual Immorality.
2. Nature of sexual sin
3. Satan as the enemy of God
4. Sin and God’s character
5. Sources of temptation

20-BSG-6D: CHAPTER INTRODUCTION.

THE CHAPTER BRINGS together two instructions, both concerning behaviors and associations that the wise person avoids. The first set of teachings tells how one deals with other men, here described as brothers and neighbors (6:1–19); the second returns to the subject of the strange/other woman (6:20–35).

Avoid the Way of Pledges, Sluggards, and Scoundrels (6:1–19)
Get free from pledges (6:1–5)
Go learn from the ant (6:6–11)
Watch out for the scoundrel (6:12–15)
Hate the seven things Yahweh hates (6:16–19)

Avoid the Way of Adultery (6:20–35)
The commands are a guide for life (6:20–24)
The adulteress preys on your life (6:25–29)
The husband will show no mercy (6:30–35)
[Paul E. Koptak, Proverbs, The NIV Application Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003), 185].

20-BSG-6J: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

SEEING WHAT’S THERE.
[1] What is the main content of this chapter? Wisdom to a Son on Debts and Work, Sin and Seduction.

[2] What does the chapter say about God? God hates sin. “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16–19, NKJV)

God hates, detests, loathes → Haughtiness; Lying; Murder of innocent people; Eagerness to do evil; Dissension; False witness; Pride, the Proud; Sin, evil, iniquity, wickedness in general.

CAPTURE THE ESSENCE.
[3] The chapter begins by Solomon warning his son against guaranteeing the debts of others, whether “a friend or a stranger.” (v. 1). Is cosigning a loan sinful? No, but “Putting up money for someone who is a bad risk can jeopardize your future. The practice itself isn’t wrong, but wisdom is needed to minimize bad debt. Poor judgment may result in a lifetime of repayment.” (NIV Quest Study Bible Notes)

[4] What creature should the sluggish person consider? The Ant (v. 6). The ant appears only twice in the Bible—Prov 6:6; and Pr. 30:25. Ants work hard to store up food. Ants are used as an example of wisdom and prudence. “No insect is more laborious, not even the bee itself; and none is more fondly attached to or more careful of its young, than the ant.” (Clarke)

[5] What will come to the sluggard? Poverty and Want. “So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:11, NKJV)

[6] What will come suddenly to a naughty person? Calamity. “Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.” (Proverbs 6:15, NKJV)

[7] What seven things are abominations to the LORD? (Pr. 6: 16-19) Haughty, prideful eyes; Lying tongues; Murderous, violent hands; Devious scheming hearts; Wicked feet that eagerly rush to do evil; Deceitful, lying witnesses; and Dissenting troublemakers.

[8] From what will your father’s commandments and mother’s law keep you? The Evil Woman. “To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a seductress.” (Proverbs 6:24, NKJV)

[9] By what is a man brought to a piece of bread? Harlotry. “For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.” (Proverbs 6:26, NKJV)

[10] What is worse than stealing food? Adultery (vv. 30-33)

[11] Who can an adulterer never appease? A jealous man (vv. 34-35)

20-BSG-6K: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.

TO THINK ABOUT AND DISCUSS.
1. A question on being a ‘surety’ (vv. 1–5). A ‘surety’ is someone ‘who undertakes responsibility for a debt’ (New Bible Dictionary). Doesn’t the Christian have an obligation to come to the aid of a brother in financial need (Ps. 37:26, Matt. 5:42)? What’s wrong with conducting our financial transactions with great care?

2. Debt is a terrible thing! What has Jesus done for us in this connection that we are not required to do for another? “So much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee (surety) of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22)

3. Pride is the first of the hateful seven things mentioned (Pr. 6:16–19). Pride is the first sin committed in heaven --- (Lucifer and a third of the angels). Pride is the first sin committed by the first man (Eve). Pride is the first sin, and is a predominant evil in human nature. The pride of the heart shows itself in the eyes, or by the looks of a man. Pride is directly opposite to God and to His nature, and against which He sets himself; for "he resist the proud” (James 4:6). How can you live, work with, or minister to a proud person? What specific steps will you take to help them?

4. Where does lying originate and why is it universal? (See Jeremiah 17:9, John 8:44). What cure is there for this condition? (See Ephesians 4:20–24).

FOR SELF-EXAMINATION.
Proverbs 6:16–19 (NKJV) — 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

1. Are my eyes haughty (Pr. 6:17a)? Do I have a proud look -- the attitude that makes me overestimate self and discount others? Do I have bloated views of my own abilities and importance? Do I look with contempt on those who I think don’t reach my standard?

2. Do I have a lying tongue (Pr. 6:17b)? Do I speak falsehood, knowingly and willingly, with an intention to deceive others? Or hurt the character of a neighbor, or flatter a friend?

3. Do I falsify facts in order to maintain my reputation in my home, church, community, or work place? What things/ situations causes me to lie often? How can I fulfill my duties/ responsibilities so I will not have to lie about unfinished tasks/ assignments to my supervisors? Do I know that the Great Supervisor (Yahweh) is watching every false word that I utter?

4. Do I have a cruel, vicious, murderous, violent hands (Pr. 6:17c)? Even if I don’t literally shed innocent blood, do I hurt people? “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15, NKJV)

5. What goes on in my mind (heart)? How do I use my imagination (Pr. 6:18a)? Does my heart devise wicked thoughts, or imaginations?

6. What makes my feet move quickly or press the accelerator of my car to the floor? Where can I not wait to be (Pr. 6:18b)?

7. What sort of things do I say about other people? Have I been a false witness in the court of Law, or in any setting where I was the principal witness but chose to misrepresent the facts (Pr. 6:19a)?

8. Finally, do I ever spreads discord (rumors) among brothers, or set people against each other (Pr. 6:19b)?

FOR LIFE TODAY.
1. If you give in to laziness the result will be poverty and scarcity” (Pr. 6:10-11). How would you apply this principle to the matter of our response to God’s Word --- (A) with regard to His invitation to come to Him for salvation? “Strive to enter by the narrow door [force yourselves through it], for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24, AMP); (B) With regard to ‘working out our salvation’? (Matthew 25:14–30; James 2:14–26)

2. How does the message of this chapter relate to us today? What response do you think this chapter should inspires us to do?