Our next chapter, which we will look at over the next several days, concerns itself with "practical admonitions." Although still written in the form of instructions from a parent to a child, the concerns are for adult children focusing on personal and financial responsibility. The words are good reminders for all of us in living God's "way of wisdom."

The first admonition has to do with the danger of pledging or giving surety for another: "My child, if you have given your pledge to your neighbor, if you have bound yourself to another, you are snared by the utterance of your lips, caught by the words of your mouth. So do this, my child, and save yourself, for you have come into your neighbor’s power: go, hurry, and plead with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler." (Prov. 6:1-5).

The danger of pledging or giving surety for another, especially to a foreigner or stranger, is warned against several times in Proverbs. The modern equivalent of what is being warned against would be co-signing for a loan or putting up collateral for another so they can get a loan or credit. Why is this admonition so strongly worded, especially given that we are commanded to help others and care for those in need? The point being made is a practical one. If surety is required, then the thing being purchased (land, home, livestock) or the debt obligation to be paid, is beyond the financial means of both the original debtor and the guarantor. Otherwise, the guarantor (the one being warned) could simply loan the person in need the money without going to a third party. The whole thing is just too risky and may well lead to promises that cannot be kept.  

What is the practical advice given? Don't make such a pledge. But, if you already have, understand your obligations (you have ensnared yourself by your promise). Be prepared to live with the consequences. What, though, if you realize you messed up and made a promise you can't keep? Don't ignore the situation and hope it will go away. Immediately, without even first going to sleep, go to your neighbor (the one who was made the promise of payment) and plead with your neighbor to get out of the situation or alter the terms of payment.

Lesson: We need to think before we speak or make promises because promises have consequences.