Bible Discussion Thread

The blessings of the living God, sometimes come disguised and many times discernment becomes necessary to recognize them. Praise God! Well, the book of Proverbs has many things that we can learn from, and this sixth chapter starts with some heavy warnings, against surety and pledges. In fact it warns about, standing as surety or as a guarantor for a friend. Then it also warns against pledges or vows, towards or in favour of a stranger. There are also other warnings, admonition, injunctions and corrections in this particular book. However, in this comment, I think it is appropriate that we look at the issue of surety and pledges. Really, there is nothing particularly wrong about being a surety or making pledges. However, it is appropriate that we understand that they are issues of seriousness. That demands carefulness and prayers. The fact is that in the world of business and commerce, surety or standing, as a guarantor for somebody are things of regular occurrences, and yet God, in His infinite wisdom through Solomon issues warnings against it. Really, in business, when surety or guarantees are given in support of say a business loan to an individual or to an entity, the party giving the guarantee, must have something in terms of capital or financial asset to support it, and that is, in case of default of the other party. And that means the guarantor, prior to that, must have been sure of the integrity and faithfulness of the person asking for guarantee. These warnings become important because it talks about a friend. In fact, it is like, it directs, a potential guarantor to look at things properly, and, not take things for granted, and also to advise and counsel his friend to buckle up. And that he should learn to trust God for his needs. When looked at properly, it did not talk about, a family member, but a friend, so also it refers to a pledge to stranger, and that, it is a trap in disguise. The truth is be it surety or pledges, both are issues that one must be very wise and careful about. And if we found ourselves involved in anything like surety or pledges that we’ve been corned into, then we can humbly and speedily find a way to deliver and free ourselves from it. Also, in particular, we should ask God, for wisdom and how to deal with it. In addition to these, pledges are regular occurrences, in fact in the Church, and sometimes, a person may be carried away with the environment and despite the fact that he may not at that moment, have at his disposal what he can use to meet it, he simply plunges into it. God is love and we that belong to Him through Jesus Christ, are, obliged to love Him wholeheartedly and also to love one another as He has loved us. There is no fear in love and perfect love cast out all fear. The warnings, in this opening statement of Proverbs 6, are something that we should and must take on board. God is a wonderful God- and He only reveals His mysteries to the humble, and no matter what, wisdom that is truly from God, does not run contrary to one another. God is perfect in Knowledge and that is one of the reasons why His Word and investing considerable amount of time in it should become, the norm to the humble.