The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS PROVERBS himself in co-signing for the debt of others he should not be afraid to humbly admit his mistake and ask to be freed from the obligation (vs 2-3) 6:6 Myrmecologists (people who study ants) will tell you that there are over 20,000 different species of ants; and that there are three types of ants in each species: -the queen -the sterile female workers -the males The male ant only serves one purpose–to mate with the queen, which he does underground without ever being seen. Therefore the only ant we can observe above ground is the female ant. This is why we are instructed to consider her ways. 6:11 In order to keep from want ( as one that travelleth ) and wrong ( as an armed man ), one must avoid laziness and procrastination. 6:13 Remember: A closed hand used for pointing ( teacheth with his fingers ) cannot be extended to help. 6:16 Verses 16-19 represent a zenith to the instruction of verses 12-15. Thus the seven things God “hates” (vs 16-19) are in reality seven things that naughty and wicked people do (vs 12-15). Therefore, God refuses to fellowship with seven kinds of naughty and wicked people (The word “ hate ” means “ to reject from one’s fellowship ”): 1. people who practice pride (vs 17/I Ki 21:1-4), i.e., walketh with a froward mouth (vs 12) 2. people who lie to live (vs 17/I Ki 21:5-9), i.e., winketh with his eyes (vs 13) 3. people who hate in their heart (vs 17/I Ki 21:10/Mt 5:21-22), i.e., teacheth with his fingers (vs 13) 4. people who dwell on wicked plans (vs 18/I Ki 21:25a), i.e., deviseth mischief continually (vs 14) 5. people who are quick to do evil (vs 18/I Ki 21:11-12/Exo 23:2/Acts 14:19), i.e., speaketh with his feet (vs 13) 6. people who lie about others (vs 19/I Ki 21:13/Mt 26:59-60), i.e., frowardness is in his heart (vs 14) 7. people who live to sow discord (vs 19/I Ki 21:25b/Acts 21:27-30), i.e., soweth discord (vs 14) NOTE – If you will notice, what comes out of the mouth (forwardness – vs 12) came from the heart (vs 14/Mt 12:34). No wonder God warns us to guard our hearts ( Prov 23:7 ). 6:17 It has been noted that pride ( a proud look ) is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it. There is nothing more nauseating than someone who thinks the world can’t go on without him. It can and it will. Anyone who thinks he’s indispensable should recall Charles De Gaulle’s remark. He once noted: The graveyards are full of indispensable men.” 1 The Apostle Paul warned us not to think too highly of ourselves (Rom 12:3, I Cor 4:6 , II Cor 3:5 & 12:7 and Gal 6:3), lest we deceive ourselves 6:23 The beauty of wisdom, which can only come from God’s Word (His commandment), is that it’s like a lamp . What a lamp in your house does for your eyes, wisdom will do for your life. Properly applied, wisdom will dispel the darkness in a person’s life, so he doesn’t stub his toe. Jesus said in John 3:19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Because we, as humans, by nature (the old nature), love darkness rather than light (truth), we must be willing to allow the light to “expose us” if we are to benefit from its wisdom (Jn 3:20-21). Want to avoid stubbing your toe in life? Then step into Proverbs; step into the common sense of God and learn to apply its truths to your life; learn to be “wise” ( Isa 1: 16- 17 ). 953

1 “General Charles De Gaulle.” Quoteworld.org . May 30, 2009. < http://tinyurl.com/mqlcdm>.