Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
Proverbs 6
"My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbor, If thou hast stricken thy hands for a stranger; Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 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; Give not sleep to thine eyes, Nor slumber to thine eyelids; Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand [of the hunter], And as a bird from the hand of the fowler." — Proverbs 6:1-5 (ASV)
If we live as directed by the word of God, we will find it profitable even in this present world. We are stewards of our worldly substance and are accountable to the Lord for our disposal of it. To waste it in rash schemes, or in such plans as may entangle us in difficulties and temptations, is wrong.
One ought never to act as surety for more than they are able and willing to pay, and can afford to pay, without wronging their family. They ought to look upon every sum for which they are committed as their own debt.
If we must take all this care to have our debts to others forgiven, how much more should we seek to obtain forgiveness from God. Humble yourself before Him and make sure of Christ as your Friend to plead for you. Pray earnestly that your sins may be pardoned and that you may be kept from going down to the pit.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no chief, Overseer, or ruler, Provideth her bread in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man." — Proverbs 6:6-11 (ASV)
Diligence in business is every person's wisdom and duty; not so much that they may gain worldly wealth, as that they may not be a burden to others or a scandal to the church. The ants are more diligent than slothful people. We may learn wisdom from the humblest insects and be shamed by them.
Habits of indolence and indulgence grow on people. Thus, life runs to waste; and poverty, though at first at a distance, gradually draws near, like a traveller; and when it arrives, is like an armed man, too strong to be resisted.
All this may be applied to the concerns of our souls. How many love their sleep of sin, and their dreams of worldly happiness! Shall we not seek to awaken such? Shall we not give diligence to secure our own salvation?
"A worthless person, a man of iniquity, Is he that walketh with a perverse mouth; That winketh with his eyes, that speaketh with his feet, That maketh signs with his fingers; In whose heart is perverseness, Who deviseth evil continually, Who soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy. There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren." — Proverbs 6:12-19 (ASV)
If the slothful are to be condemned, who do nothing, how much more those who do all the evil they can. Observe how such a man is described. He says and does everything cunningly, and with intention. His ruin will come without warning and without relief.
Here is a list of things hateful to God. Those sins are especially provoking to God which are hurtful to the comfort of human life.
These things which God hates, we must hate in ourselves; it counts for little to hate them only in others. Let us shun all such practices, and watch and pray against them; and avoid, with marked disapproval, all who are guilty of them, whatever their rank may be.
"My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thy heart; Tie them about thy neck. When thou walkest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall watch over thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, From the flattery of the foreigner`s tongue. Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; Neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For on account of a harlot [a man is brought] to a piece of bread; And the adulteress hunteth for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be scorched? So he that goeth in to his neighbor`s wife; Whosoever toucheth her shall not be unpunished. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy himself when he is hungry: But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; He shall give all the substance of his house. He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding: He doeth it who would destroy his own soul. Wounds and dishonor shall he get; And his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man; And he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts." — Proverbs 6:20-35 (ASV)
The word of God has something to say to us upon all occasions. Let not faithful reproofs ever make us uneasy.
When we consider how much this sin abounds, how heinous adultery is in its own nature, of what evil consequence it is, and how certainly it destroys the spiritual life in the soul, we will not wonder that the cautions against it are so often repeated. Let us notice the subjects of this chapter. Let us remember Him who willingly became our Surety, when we were strangers and enemies.
And should Christians, who have such prospects, motives, and examples, be slothful and careless? Should we neglect what is pleasing to God, and what he will graciously reward? May we closely watch every sense by which poison can enter our minds or affections.
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