He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Increasing Life’s Joy: Avoid Abuse Of Others
(2): Proverbs 22:26-29
26) Be not thou [one] of them
that strike hands, [or] of them that
are sureties for debts.
27) If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from
under thee?
28) Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29) Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before
kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].
To
close this chapter, Solomon reminds us of the need to treat others in a Godly
way. By doing this we can avoid the
pangs of guilt and the chastening hand of the Lord, which leads to an increase
in our joy, peace and communion with the Lord.
EXPOSITION:
26) Be not thou [one] of them
that strike hands, [or] of them that
are sureties for debts. 27) If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take
away thy bed from under thee?
Do
not place ourselves in a position to be easily abused by others, which is self-abuse…
1. We should not shake hands (consummating a
deal of indebtedness)
2. or become security for the debt of others
3. If we possess nothing (to make payments or
the agreed amount for security), we will have our bed (necessities of life)
taken from us.
Many
times, we open up ourselves to the mistreatment of others. This is done when we make poor decisions without
thinking of the long term results of those decisions. In this text, we have two different examples…
selfishly entering into debt we cannot afford, or ignorantly promising to be
surety for the indebtedness of others.
In either case, the decisions are unwise and in opposition to principles
found in the Word.
“If thou at all take thy
neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun
goeth down: For that [is] his covering
only, it [is] his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall
come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I [am] gracious.” (Exodus 22:26-27)
28) Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
We
are not to infringe on the rights of others….
1.
We are to not take away the very old boundary marker
2.
This boundary marker had been placed by our ancestors and meant to be permanent
We
are not to gain by invading into the property of others.
“Cursed [be] he that
removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.” (Deuteronomy 27:17)
29) Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before
kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].
We
are not to abuse those who are efficient in their endeavors…
1. We are to learn from our observation of those
who are efficient and careful in keeping their responsibilities…
2. He will be brought before, and remain in the
presence of those in high authority
3. He will not allow himself to be under the
submission of those who are dark, deceitful, evil men.
“Not slothful in business;
fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:11)
SUMMARY:
In this last section of
the chapter (vs 22-29) Solomon has reminded us of the need to refrain from
abusing others to cultivate lasting joy and peace in our life…
1. Avoid the selfish abuse of others, by doing
this we are protecting ourselves from the judgment of God…
2. Avoid joining with those who are uncontrolled
due to their anger, which will lead to our abuse of others…
3. Avoid placing ourselves in a position to be opened
up and easily abused by others, this is a form of self-abuse…
4. Avoid infringing on the rights of others….
5. Avoid abusing those who are efficient in their
endeavors…
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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