Proverbs chapter 6

vs 1

It's funny how quickly a neighbour becomes a stranger. Especially when money is involved. It's not that being a surety for someone is wrong, but you have to watch out who you are doing it for.

vs 2

Because being security for a stranger, or even your neighbour, will trap you, because they have a lot less compulsion in letting their debts fall to you.

This is interesting, though - obviously prudent wisdom is to look after your money by not putting up security for a stranger. But Jesus says you should lend money to people who you don't expect it back from. Is he contravening Proverbs 6? I think he's giving it as an example of how gracious Christians should be. But the answer is probably still yes, he is.

vs 3

Whether you read it with humble (NIV et al), or until exhaustion (TNIV), the message is fairly clear - pursue this neighbour or stranger, and don't rest!

vs 4

Be unceasing in it, obviously. Either that, or get it dealt with that same day.

vs 5

I'm not sure how one frees oneself from a surety back then. But I guess, regardless of the actual method, if you keep pestering him, it will happen.

vs 6

One of my favourite verses. This one verse has shaped the science of myrmecology over the centuries. It's interesting that Solomon is comparing a sluggard (I assume this means lazy person) to an ant, as if ants are really hard workers. In fact, ants spend almost 80% of their time idle. It's because they all work together in such an organised fashion that they get so much done.

vs 7

It's hard to say, really. I mean, ants don't live on their own either. They don't store up food for themselves. It's a communal thing. There's a bit of a social contract. Anyway, I think the point is that there's no-one following the ant around with a whip making sure it does its work.

vs 8

Rather, they work all the time, and gather their food because it's the thing to do. I don't think you can call someone a sluggard if they do enough work to get by.

vs 9

The tone of this passage is so harsh. Get off your ass and do some work!

vs 10

On its own, this verse sounds so relaxing and lovely.

vs 11

But then you see what Solomon says comes from this attitude - just a little rest, a little more, followed by a nap, and then you're suddenly poor.