'" He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure." Proverbs 11:15
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We have a new topic beginning this week in our continued journey through Proverbs ----- being bound by an oath/pledge!
Our text this week is warning us not to be guarantors, or be accountable for, the actions of a "stranger" (we will look at what that term means) , and adding, that the person that avoids these kinds of pledges, is sure/secure!!
No Contracts at all? !! or No Contracts or pledges with Strangers..... what are we being warned against here?
Lets follow our standard process, and see where that takes us.....
1. Definition of terms : SURETY
--- in the OT : "aw-rab' " --- A primitive root; to braid, that is, intermix; technically to traffic (as if by barter); also to give or be security (as a kind of exchange): - engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be (-come, put in) surety, undertake. Total KJV occurrences: 18 (Strongs Dictionary)
--- in the NT : "Enguos" --- (Noun) primarily signifies “bail,” the bail who personally answers for anyone, whether with his life or his property (to be distinguished from "mesites" “a mediator”); it is used in Heb. 7:22, “(by so much also hath Jesus become) the Surety (of a better covenant),” referring to the abiding and unchanging character of His Melchizedek priesthood, by reason of which His suretyship is established by God’s oath (vv. 20, 21).As the Surety, He is the personal guarantee of the terms of the new and better covenant,secured on the ground of His perfect sacrifice (v. 27). (Vines Expository Dictionary)
? Already you can see the picture coming into focus.... As sinners, we were "estranged" from God, and Christ our --surety--, definitely 'smarted' for it... (we are so thankful for that --- Hallelujah! ) Having entered into a covenant with us, He stood as bail for us. when we skipped prison, He had to pay, and He is ever our guarantee, shield, and covering against our transgressions, now, and in the hereafter as well!
In a more practical, down to earth sense, the wisdom of not being a guarantor for the actions of a STRANGER is obvious and apparent, and we hope we don't have to explain that in more detail... but will take a look at where this word first appears, and in what context?
2. Notable Occurrences
In the ---English--- translations, the first place we see the word is in Gen 15:13 --- "And he said unto Abram, Know of a ---surety--- that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years....." The problem is that the word translated "surety" in the KJV English is actually two words... "ya-da, ya-da"... yes, this is God saying "Truly, Truly" or "Verily Verily"..... or... SURELY... this has nothing to do with covenants or pledges.... lets keep looking....
{ Note to new Bible students : This is why you should have a Bible that lets you see the words in the original language. May we recommend e-Sword by Rick Meyers ... a great resource for all platforms - phone, computer etc.) }
The first place we see the correct word "aw-rab" is indeed in Genesis, but its 400 years later.... and it is Judah that first speaks it ( Judah of the tribe of our Melchizedek ..... mmmmmm .... so good!!! )
" And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be ------surety----- for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: " --- Gen 43:8,9
This is the story of Joseph. As Pharaohs #1 guy, he is now the overseer of all Egypt. He has seen his brothers that banished him come to Egypt, begging him for food, and has asked them to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, back to him. Judah, in the verses above, is pleading with his father (Israel) to let him take Benjamin with him, pledging his life, if he should fail to bring him back!
Judah is not pledging for a stranger, but his own brother.... and it is in that context that we see the word first brought to our attention in the Word! Isn't it marvellous.... ? ?
Now lets see where else we can find these other occurrences that Mr. Strong talks about.... the next contextual stop is .... the Psalter!!!
Psalm 119:122 "Be Surety for Your servant for good. Do not let the arrogant oppress me!! " --- An excellent and very meaningful prayer!!!
Next stop.... is the book of Proverbs... ..
" 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. " - Prov 6:1-5
Pretty clear right? If your big mouth has led you to get into a contract where you are guaranteeing the behavior of another, get out of it as quick as possible!!!! Don't rest till you are out of it, because it has the potential to bring you grief that you have not caused!
Sadly, the plight of our Saviour is summed up here as well.... He did the OPPOSITE of what Solomon is telling us, for OUR SAKE!
Prov 20:16 "Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange (alien/adulterous) woman."
Prov 27:13 "Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman."
If Israel was the bride that the LORD brought out for Himself from the Wilderness, the Gentile church can be thought of as the strange/alien/adulterous woman.
The cruelty of taking a poor mans garment as a pledge for a loan is described in the Law, and the LORD says that, that garment must be returned to him at sundown for him to sleep in.
" When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: ---In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, ------that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God. Deut:24:11-13
Christ was punished for the sins of all that He pledged Himself for, and SOLDIERS GAMBLED FOR HIS GARMENTS on the Cross! Christ was stripped of everything to satisfy the justice of God ... down to His garments as required by the Word!
Thank you Jesus for being our pledge and surety!!
Hallelujah!