Tuesday, July 10: Proverbs 6- Folly.

Folly and foolishness are the subject of today's teaching. Avoid it like the plague counsels the proverb. But what is folly? The proverb outlines 11 facets of folly.

Putting oneself in debt to another. My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth (1-2). Do everything you can to extricate yourself from debt to others. Do not rest until you are free, counsels the proverb.

Laziness… too much resting and relaxing and not enough working. Follow the example of an ant who tirelessly works and gathers preparing for the days to come.

Villainy and with it keeping companionship with a villain. There is no shortcut to gain. Villainy is wrong.

The proverb warns of 7 other detestable practices, haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community (17-19), before he closes the chapter reminding us of the folly of adultery.

Folly is straying from the Lord's path as well as being lazy about important tasks. Folly destroys lives!

Now comes the introspective work, hanging a plumb line and squaring my life (your life) against the counsel of the proverb…

Lord, You have given me a measuring stick, may I use it to measure and evaluate my life. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

 

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