Proverbs 6:1

CONTENTS

Under the similitude of a surety Solomon opens this chapter, with shewing the consequence of such engagements. He follows up the chapter with divers cautions, which are founded in much wisdom.

Proverbs 6:1 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. 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.

I cannot possibly read these verses, expressive as they are of the tender concern of a watchful Father over his Son, how he enters into suretyship engagements, with the consequences of them, without having my soul immediately directed to him, who, at the call of his and our Father, stood up the willing, voluntary surety, of his people from everlasting. Surely, thou blessed Jesus, it was thou that was the first surety the world ever heard of, and which when first made known in heaven excited the everlasting wonder of all the angels of light. And of thee it may truly be said, when thou didst strike hands with thy Father in confirmation of the treaty, it was both for thy friend, and yet far a stranger. Friends thou hast called us through thy gracious condescension, (John 15:13) and yet we were strangers and enemies to God by wicked works, when thou camest to seek and save us by thy blood. Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:12. And though not snared, as this scripture terms it, with the words of thy month; yet thou wast taken into engagements by thy promises of love, which thou couldest not afterwards break, neither didst thou wish to break; for the baptism thou hadst in consequence thereof to be baptised with, thou didst say, thou wert straitened until that it was accomplished. Oh! the love of God which passeth knowledge. Luke 12:50.