“My son” (September ‘08)
The sixth
Proverb contains three occurrences of ‘My son’. The first and second ‘My son’
deal with the same subject:
“My son,
if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a
stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the
words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son,
and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble
thyself, and make sure thy friend.”(Proverb 6:1-3)
Solomon tells his son if he has ‘put up security’ for a stranger or
makes a pledge with someone he must immediately ‘deliver thyself’ without delay
by canceling the transaction through a humble appeal with the
neighbor/friend/stranger.
The urgency to resolve the matter is then underscored as Solomon gives
four direct commands: “Do this now my son and deliver
thyself…go…humble thyself” The urgency is re-emphasized in verse four and five:
“Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine
eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird
from the hand of the fowler.”
The need to resolve the issue without delay is clear. The danger
involved in letting the matter continue is also emphasized by Solomon’s pointed
illustrations. Proverb 11:15 gives additional insight on this subject:
“He who is surety for a stranger will surely suffer
for it, but he who hates being surety is safe.”
The last
occurrence of ‘My son’ in the sixth Proverb provides the believer with some of
the most practical and prosperous principles in the Word of God:
“My son,
keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them
continually upon thy heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou go, it shall
lead thee; when thou sleep, it shall keep thee; and when thou awake it shall
talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp and the law is light; and
reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” (Proverb 6:20-23)
Solomon unveils with very plain and powerful words exactly what he found
to be the most effective way to live life for the Lord. He commands his son to
do three things:
1. Keep thy father’s commandment,
and forsake not the law of thy mother
2. Bind them continually upon
thine heart
3. Tie them about thy neck
The first imperative is keeping and not forsaking the Word of God.
Secondly the Word must be internalized in the heart which is the spiritual side
of keeping and not forsaking the Word. Then, the physical side of tying around
the neck which serves to emphasize the need to keep it in the forefront of your
priorities.
The results: A continual twenty-four hours
a day seven days a week instruction and companionship with the Lord Jesus
Christ! Regardless of what you are doing, going, sleeping or awake you can
count on Him the Living Word to be present with you for He has said: “I will never leave you nor
forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)
Although this is a promise to all
believers, the promises Solomon emphasizes provide a living relationship with
the Lord Jesus that continues throughout life by keeping and not forsaking, but
instead observing and internalizing the Word of God for He has said:
“It is the Spirit that quickens: the flesh profits
nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit they are life.” (John
6:63)
“For the Word of God is living, and powerful and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His
sight: but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have
to do.” (Hebrews 4:12, 13)
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do in
word of deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
Father by Him.” (Colossians 3:16, 17)
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