PROVERBS 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, 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,
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
– Proverbs 6:1-5
PROVERBS 6 WARNING ON GUARANTEEING DEBTS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
It is wise not to guarantee debts of your neighbors or strangers
You do not know how they will pay what they owe their lenders
If you have accidentally co-signed for other people’s credits
Have yourself freed from such bonds because it is foolish
Do not waste any moment when you have gotten into this pledge
Save yourself from such oath and get out of it as fast as you can
Solomon gives his son another wise word on co-signing for other people’s debts. According to some commentary, the son here doesn’t necessarily mean his biological son, but could also be students. It is wise for us to follow this advice as believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Another verse that reiterates the same theme as this is Proverbs 22:26 which says “Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.”
We are to lend a hand to our brothers but not to foreigners as stipulated In Deuteronomy 23:19-20 because it has a promise that the Lord will bless us in all that we undertake in the land that he gave us. We clearly see how God separates his people from the world. Those who do not know the Lord will not know what is right. It is wise for us not to get involved with foolish people especially those who irresponsibly got themselves in debt.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think Solomon cautions us not to guarantee other people’s debts?
