The great things about Proverbs is that it is a very practical book. 6:1-19 certainly demonstrates that reality. In these verses, Solomon gives his son a seemingly random series of admonitions about life. Yet, from the perspective of my 45 years, I can verify that each of them is extremely valuable:
1. Don't be collateral for anybody's loan (verses 1-5). If you do pledge to be collateral, get out of the arrangement as quickly as possible. Claim insanity. Beg for mercy. Do whatever you have to do to not be responsible for someone else's repayment.
2. Work hard (verses 6-11). As someone once said, there is no substitute in life for hard work. The ant is a little creature but it is wise in that it outworks its size and plans for the future. Laziness is overpowering and takes all we have.
3. Beware of people who are always scheming (verses 12-15). One alternate to hard work is scheming. People who scheme always end up in trouble. Ask Bernie Madoff.
4. Don't be an agitator (verses 16-19). When you see sin lists like the one in the verses in Proverbs, the last sin is usually the capper. It's the thing to which the whole list is building. Solomon's point? There are a lot of really bad things to do in this world. Dividing family and close friends is one of the worst.
All very practical wisdom best learned at an early age.
