Sharper Iron — Wisdom and Instruction: Faithfulness in Small Things

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Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 6:1-19.

Placed between two addresses that speak against adultery, Solomon’s eighth address to his son may seem to address small matters. However, faithfulness in small matters tends toward faithfulness in large matters, just as faithlessness in small matters easily leads to faithlessness in large matters. Knowing that a man’s word is his bond, Solomon warns his son against putting up security for a stranger, lest the stranger’s debt become his own. Such teaching naturally leads into the matter of diligent, self-disciplined work. In this, a lazybones can learn from the example of the ant. Instead of a little rest here and a little rest there adding up to poverty, Solomon urges his son to do the work given to him. Along with the sluggard, the worthless man is dangerous. His entire person shows his wickedness; though he thinks he stands above the fray, he will receive the due for his evil. His discord sown among brothers stands as the climax of the completely abominable in the sight of the LORD. God be praised that He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us real sinners from such real sins!

“Wisdom and Instruction” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Proverbs. Although Proverbs is perhaps best known for its short sayings full of practical advice, the one true God has so much more in this book of wisdom. True wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD. Christians walk His way of righteousness rather than the way of wickedness because we trust that all good gifts come to us through His Son Jesus Christ, who is His wisdom made flesh for our salvation.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Proverbs 6:1-19

Practical Warnings

6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
have given your pledge for a stranger,
2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
caught in the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, and save yourself,
for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:
go, hasten,[a] and plead urgently with your neighbor.
4 Give your eyes no sleep
and your eyelids no slumber;
5 save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,[b]
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
8 she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.

12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals[c] with his feet,
points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil,
continually sowing discord;
15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.

Footnotes

Proverbs 6:3 Or humble yourself

Proverbs 6:5 Hebrew lacks of the hunter

Proverbs 6:13 Hebrew scrapes

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.