What I Noticed Today (Proverbs 4-6)
Proverbs 4
Proverbs 4 is an exhortation to his son to remember the wisdom that he has been taught because wisdom brings life, protection, and honor.
In verses 1-9, Solomon exhorts his son to listen and remember what he has been taught (again the word ‘teaching’ is the Hebrew word for the Law of God). Solomon uses himself as an example of how his parents taught him, and now he is teaching his son. Nothing in life is more important than getting wisdom and insight.
In verses 10-19, Solomon describes the ways of wisdom (vv. 10-13) contrasted with the ways of wickedness (vv. 14-17). He urges his son to listen to his words of wisdom and follow his upright example. Hang on to the path of righteousness and do not walk in the ways of the wicked. The path of the righteous is bright like the dawning sun, but the path of the wicked is darkness.
In verses 20-27, Solomon exhorts his son to pay attention to his words and keep them in his heart. In contrast, he is to avoid crooked speech and devious talk. Stay on the straight path and avoid turning toward evil.
Proverbs 5
Proverbs 5 becomes more specific as Solomon exhorts his son to avoid adultery and cherish the marriage relationship.
In verses 1-6, Solomon exhorts his son to listen and pay attention as he warns his son of the dangers adultery; it may seem sweet, but adultery leads to death.
In verses 7-14, Solomon exhorts his son to listen and stay away from the adulteress. Failure to stay away may result in the loss of strength, long life, money, and health. Succumbing to the adulteress leads to ruin and disgrace.
In verses 15-23, Solomon speaks of the rewards of staying true to your wife. A man should be captivated by his wife with sexual desires constrained to the marriage. God sees what we do; we cannot escape His scrutiny.
Proverbs 6
In Proverbs 6, Solomon warns his son about the dangers of foolish financial arrangements and laziness.
In verses 1-5, Solomon warns his son against cosigning to borrow money at high interest and to free himself from such obligations as quickly as possible. Such agreements, said Solomon, were like snares that trap a person.
In verses 6-11, Solomon refers to the sluggard as a lazy person, suggesting that the sluggard should look at the ant who is always working and providing for the future even though they have no leader. Solomon warns that a little laziness may not seem bad at first, but poverty is the end result.
In verses 12-15, Solomon describes a wicked man who is deceptive, who devises evil and sows discord, but suddenly calamity will strike them.
In verses 16-19, Solomon describes the behaviors of a wicked person that the Lord hates: a person with haughty eyes, a lying tongue, murderers, those that plot evil, those that move quickly to sin, and someone who lies in court.
