Proverbs Study – Lesson 24 - March 6, 2011– Seacoast Community Church

Proverbs Study – Lesson 24 (Proverbs chapter 20:16-20)

V. 16 For those that make agreements with strangers you don’t need to wait for them to lose their shirt, you had might as well take it right now, it is as good as gone. If you are owed something from someone that has bad lending practices you had better keep something as collateral or you might lose your shirt also. Lending to a stranger is risky. In the second part of this verse the NIV and the KJV make reference to someone that puts up a loan to a foreign woman making reference to a woman that is wayward. This gives the inference of not only making a bad loan to someone they do not know, but in addition being influenced to drop or lessen their standards for making a loan even further making it even more sure that the debt will not be paid back. The warning here to us is not only to beware of loaning to someone that we do not know too well or does not have good lending practices, but also to not get into a spot that we agree to something totally foolish because of being influenced by foolish emotions and temptations doing something that we never would agree to under normal conditions. If you even consider lending to someone like this be sure that you keep something in collateral. There is a good chance that you will lose it all if you don’t.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger's debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

V. 17 Have you ever bought or sold something, but in the process of dealing you were not totally honest about it? Making the sale or buying the item is sweet at first. You finally made the sale. It wasn’t quite what the customer wanted; as a matter of fact you are not sure that they are going to use it at all. But what does that matter you made the sale now it is theirs and it is their problem. It had some hidden flaws and you knew it. This can happen in selling a car, selling a service, closing a business deal or selling a piece of property. Facts are omitted or not fully represented making it possible to close the deal. You walk away with the money in your hand and say glad that is over. The feeling at first is a good one. However, very shortly thereafter you don’t feel so good. You get a funny taste in your mouth. It feels like sand or gravel. You can’t get rid of it. It doesn’t go away too easily. It is interesting that this is the expression that Solomon uses here for the feeling that one gets after an incident like this. It is very descriptive of the end result.

V. 18 Good council is sooo valuable! The beginning of this verse is translated with two different perspectives, both of which are true and should be considered before making our purpose sure. The first thought is that we make our plan and then get council as to the soundness of its foundation and principle to know and make sure whether we should proceed or not. The second way some versions translate this verse is that through council we formulate and develop our purpose and our plan having the image that some plans start out as an idea or concept and are actually developed with the input of others. The last part of this verse gives the warning that before we take on any venture with substantial risks it is wise to consult with wise councilors so that we may proceed with confidence in our endeavor.

V. 19 Someone that tells you secrets will tell your secrets. It is hard to confide in someone that talks about other people’s business, even in general terms. It is the job description or purpose of a talebearer to reveal secrets. It is what they do. It’s good to remember to ask yourself the question ‘Why should my secrets or private matters be any different’ before sharing any private information with them. Solomon makes the point that we need to be careful about associating with them because even some of our casual conversation may come back to us from other sources. He also reminds us that someone that chatters or rambles on and on may not intentionally share private information, but because of the sheer volume of conversation diligence and prudence may be lacking and details may be repeated that shouldn’t be.

V. 20 This is a strange verse. Its meaning eludes us in our society because of how we look at things through the system of justice that we have developed and now embrace. Its full and complete application was long ago and far away, but it still has tremendous benefits and application when applied through ‘The New Covenant’ that Christ shared with us in the Gospels and New Testament. The basis and meaning of this verse and what it relates to including its benefits still works today even though it is a foreign concept to us. God had ordained it. Christ in Matt. 15:2-9 restated its significance. It was one of the original Ten Commandments given in the Law. In that day, if you missed this Commandment ‘your light could go out’. The benefit of this Commandment God felt was important. Read Leviticus 20:9. You could lose your life! If this society of long ago carried out the stated consequences of not obeying this Commandment you would need to beware. As a young person you would take note not to miss this one. Ouch! Why was this act of obedience of honoring parents put in such a strong package with harsh consequences? Really the same question could be asked for most of the other Ten Commandments. Many of them have impressive consequences for actions that don’t seem that important to us today. Was it the rule or commandment that God required them/us to follow just because He said so, or was there an important reason or benefit that was attached to its application?

We forget that many of the good and real blessings in this world come to us out of respect. We learn by respect. There is a need. We respect the consequences that would be ours if we ignored the situation, or we respect the source so we listen better. It motivates us to search out the matter. In doing so, we learn and find out things about life. The application of the things we learn benefits us in our life. Life not death is the outcome. We are motivated by respect because of consequences and/or benefits. Respect and honor for our parents is not only the right thing just because God ordained it to be so, but it also in a practical way allows us to have a teachable spirit to learn things that will tend to life and not to death. Death occurs when we do not apply these truths.

We need to distinguish between rebellion or cursing and questioning or asking questions to understand as it related to honoring our parents. We should not be afraid of true…true inquiring or questioning, because if the precept or concept is true or based on truth it will stand and actually be revealed by TRUE inquisitions. Asking questions often is the only way to learn and fully understand something. We can as parents for some strange reason consider it a lack of honor or respect if asked the question why or how this works or why this precept is said to be so. Such a question can be asked in two different ways, one out of disrespect, challenging authority having an un-teachable spirit or a spirit of rebellion, or it can be asked with an attitude of respect wanting to know the benefits of its application, better understanding what is trying to be learned. A parent’s position is not that of a ruling dictator, what I say goes, don’t ask questions. The parent has the responsibility of respecting the inquiring child helping them to understand the why.

As we look again at this commandment and at the Ten Commandments in general it might be a good idea to take a fresh look at what they were/are and what they were intended to do. Remember, the bible clearly says that God’s ways or true wisdom tends toward life and he says that not honoring Him and rebelling or doing our own thing tends toward death. We cannot also forget that even though these Commandments are founded on timeless principals their consequences are tempered through Christ, His coming and what He accomplished on the Cross. In other words, the benefit of these Commandments to our culture and society are as relevant today as it was then even though Christ has removed the penalty attached in times past. Just how important and beneficial are these Commandments? If, that is if, we were to apply them as God would like us to what would be the condition of our world? Watch movie ‘The Answer’. (Show Movie clip ‘The Answer’ staring David Niven. If you watch this movie, watch it in its entirety not missing the end. To watch go to links on this blog.) What is the answer to man’s ‘ultimate’ dilemma??

The Ten Commandments were first given in Exodus 20:1-17 (Read) and restated in Deut. 5:6-21 to the new generation of Israelites after their parents had fallen in the wilderness. Every one of the Commandments were reasserted in the N. T. as still valid today except the keeping of the Sabbath which was given as a specific sign between the Lord and Israel. Exodus 31:12-17. Read Matt 15:3-9  Are these Commandments…the Ten Commandments really the answer to all of man’s problems? Could it really be that simple?