An Enticing Prospect

My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
--Proverbs 1:10

The ‘sinners’ in this verse are described more fully in the next four verses:

If they say, "Come with us,
   Let us lie in wait for blood,
   Let us ambush the innocent without cause;
Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
   Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;
We shall find all kinds of precious wealth,
   We shall fill our houses with spoil;
Throw in your lot with us,
   We shall all have one purse...."

The ‘sinners’ appear to be violent. For many of us, it is quite difficult to think of ourselves or our friends as people of violence. In most areas in our country we enjoy relatively peaceful surroundings. ‘Sinners’ we are exposed to are more likely to be people who gossip, lie, become drunk, cheat on their taxes, etc.

Let's take a closer look.
They say, "Let us ambush the innocent without cause." The idea is that there is no reason for doing what they are doing. Other translations bring this out in a more descriptive way:

• Let's ambush...for no reason at all. (ISV)*
• Let's ambush...just for fun. (CSB, NLT)**

That's a lie! The sinners are masking their real purpose. They seem to be acting aimlessly and to some degree they probably don't have a well thought out plan. Yet, they have a purpose, and that is to take advantage of those who have possessions and take those possessions by force to get rich!

Could the ‘sinners’ in this teaching also apply to those who through clever manipulation of circumstances ‘force’ others to give up their possessions? Would the following list also fit this description of ‘sinners’: 

• Embezzlers?
• Dishonest salesmen?
• Those who defraud others through insurance scams?
• Doctors who knowingly make false diagnoses or knowingly prescribe unnecessary medications?
• Those who lie about services needed (mechanic, handyman, plumber, electrician, heating/AC repairman, etc.)?
• Those who use their position to obtain favors or take unfair advantage of those under their authority?

Be wary of questionable schemes to make quick money. The get-rich-quick fantasy will generally lead to disappointment, and often, evil. Be wary of questionable schemes that manipulate others or use force to gain a benefit. How can we 'love our neighbor as we love ourselves' if we are taking unfair advantage of them???

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
--Proverbs 28:6 (NASB95)

Shortcuts are often enticements of Satan in disguise.

Be wise.

Mark Stinnett

October 25, 2020

  *ISV - International Standard Version

**CSB - Christian Standard Bible

    NLT - New Living Translation