“My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; And whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, We shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; Let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; Refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, And make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; They lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; Which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.”
Proverbs 1:10-19 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.1.10-19.KJV
3,000 years ago it appears there was a similar discussion which parallels our current musings on Socialism, Capitalism, Communism, Fascism and other forms of fiscal disciplines. Instead of labeling, the Author of this passage chose to list ingredients.
Side note: picture yourself standing in a Grocery Store examining products but instead of being captivated by clever branding techniques to make your choice, you decide to read the ingredient list to compare products; this is the analogy being utilized.
The Author appears to have chosen this, “ingredients,” technique for several purposes, one of the first would be it fits a multitude of applications far better than simply labeling an ideology especially when considering it is not uncommon for groups to highjack a label and mis-apply it for their benefit. Consequently, there are several factors on this ingredients list which find themselves attached to almost every label. Therefore, the Author breaks the information down to the elemental level so it is more broadly applicable.
Instead of saying, “Capitalism is evil.” Which typically means- Someone is willing to do anything for money with no moral compass and with complete disregard to other souls or the environment we are supposed to be caretaking. Or, “Communism is evil.” Citing the amount of atrocities inflicted on the suffering masses under Communist rule in the last century. Let us examine the ingredients which allow us to be far more specific and accurate in our assertions from all angles.
The Author of Proverbs gets specific:
- If sinners entice you, do not consent.
- If they say, come with us let us lay wait for blood.
- Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause.
- Let us swallow them up as the grave.
- And whole as those that go down into the pit.
- We shall find all precious substance
- We shall fill our houses with spoil.
- Cast in thy lot among us
- Let us all have one purse.
This first portion of the list appears to be very specific on purpose. Let us examine these elements more closely:
My son-
the word translated son can mean several things.
A son, as in a male descendant.
Children, as in offspring of either gender.
A Youth.
In characterization of a sect or creed, as in Sons of Liberty.
A People Group, as in those from a Nation or Region.
It can also mean a collection of similar things such as Members of a group.
1.If Sinners entice you, do not consent.
Sinner- carries the idea of one who has already offended as in they are already guilty.
Entice- comes from the insult, “open-minded,” this is to be gullible and easy to deceive.
Consent- to be willing, to accept or be desirous.
When we combine the elements this idea is more visible:
My people, when you are approached by crafty evil-doers, understand they are angling to increase their purse by exploiting you to exploit your network. DO NOT be manipulated into accepting their lies.
2. If they say come with us let us lay wait for blood.
If they say- it appears this is a broad idea which leaves itself open to many meanings but is intended to express someone is speaking to you through words, ideas or actions. This could be actual words spoken or you could think in you heart. This could be likened to a advertisement or commercial which makes you want what is being advertised.
Come with us- These are some of the concepts expressed; walk our way, join our group, act like us, be like us.
Let us lay wait for blood- one way this can be translated could look something like this: we will take someone who is unaware and steal their vitality.
A literal translation can be much more gruesome- Let us ambush and spill their red (blood) which brings silence (death).
3. Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause- this could be re-stated:
Let us hide in secret waiting for the those who owe us nothing or who are free from guilt, and take from them for no reason. This last portion is gut wrenchingly evil- it showcases the mindset to devalue life. It is the absence of value of life which is the presence of selfishness.
In essence, we can take what we want when we want because we want it. Or even worse, I don’t want them to enjoy it so I will remove them.
4. Let us swallow them up alive as the grave-
One way this could be expressed could look like this:
A doorway to hell opens and a group beats an individual, strips them naked and tosses the individual into hell then collects any trinkets suiting their fancy and head off to ambush another.
5. And whole as those that go down into the pit- building on the previous thought of swallowing; this portion adds the concept of being devoured whole, as in completely, like a dead body of soldiers who died in battle being tossed into a mass grave.
However, there is another possible meaning we should not ignore. It could say- the person who is whole, as in wholesome, healthy or innocent is being thrown into prison or sold into slavery.
This makes me think of the book of Genesis when Joseph was thrown into a pit by his Brothers. In that scenario he was sold to slave traders. So, instead of being wasted, his Brothers found a way to profit from him.
6. We shall find all precious substance-
Without having to toil, labor, or earn, we can attain valuable wealth.
7. We shall fill our houses with spoil- this is a phrase which soldiers might use to express what they intend to do with the spoil they take from the enemy they plan to slay.
This is pointing to the essence of the evolution of thought process. “We will declare war on unsuspecting individuals who do not deserve attack and cannot defend or retaliate.”
8. Cast in thy lot among us- there are a couple ideas at play.
First, join us and become an integral part of our assembly.
This puts me in mind of a gang asking a young man to commit a crime to join the gang. It gives them a measure of leverage by asking a pledge of allegiance.
Secondly, casting lots was a process by which decisions could be made; something similar to drawing straws or cutting cards, which are games of chance. With this concept, they are asking you to test fate and bet on them to gain your wealth.
9. Let us all have one purse- our money will be our money. We will be one group instead of of individuals financially.
This indicates the thought of collective mindset, purpose, ambition and existence. In essence we will be beholden to the purse; as that is the highest value of who we are.
At this point we have the Author interject his instruction to his collective people:
“My son, walk not thou in the way with them; Refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, And make haste to shed blood.”
Proverbs 1:15-16 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.1.15-16.KJV
This could read- Do not live that path or take the journey with them. Hold your foot back from stepping on their road.
Because their feet are running to misery, distress and injury. They are impetuous and hasty on their way to spill blood.
Then, out of nowhere, there is, what appears to be, a confusing statement:
“Surely in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird.”
Proverbs 1:17 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.1.17.KJV
Upon closer inspection, this passage could have a hidden meaning. Allow me to explain.
The ideas translated to the word, “Bird,” can mean, “the person in charge has a view from above.”
For instance, a murder (the proper name of a group of crows) of crows usually posts at least one lookout on an elevated position overwatching the others. It is the job of the lookout to spy for danger. This seems to be a similar concept to the passage.
Therefore, the passage could read- For certain, it would be useless to set a trap when the lookout is watching.
Which leads us to this:
“And they lay wait for their own blood; They lurk privily for their own lives.”
Proverbs 1:18 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.1.18.KJV
Interesting. It appears the Author is using previous language to express the final thoughts.
“They,” are laying wait (from ingredient #2 above) for their own blood.
“They,” are lurking privily (from ingredient #3 above) for their own lives.
“So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; Which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.”
Proverbs 1:19 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.1.19.KJV
The principle presented appears to assert- when someone is following the ingredients above they are essentially, “greedy of gain.” And being greedy of gain takes away the life of the owners who hold the thought process.
It is expressly a denouncement of being covetous and desiring to take what others have. Especially when you are willing to seize, snatch away, lay hold of or take the vitality from those to whom it belongs.
It is a never ending cycle of destroy and be destroyed. This is in direct opposition to the principle the Author is hoping to instill in the Reader. Wisdom, which is named in Proverbs as, “the principal thing,” says we are to increase value in ourselves and reap the benefits of making ourself more valuable to the world. In this principle we are adding value instead of destroying and attempting to steal value.
With these two principles firmly grasped we can accurately assess all of the popular labels, Socialism, Capitalism, Communism, Fascism and others. We are obliged to craft a system in which we, as individuals and as a society are admonished to:
- Add value thereby being valuable.
- Avoid being greedy of gain, especially to the extent of taking vitality from others.
It is only responsible for us to acknowledge there are phases in life where we hold different value along the journey. A new baby holds the value of hope simply by breathing. While an elderly person holds the value of hope and insight, in part, because they have managed to avoid death for many decades, which is a noble feat. However, if we are being honest, we must individually grade our contribution and hold ourself accountable to these principles.
When we look at building a Life or a Society on these two principles we are on the correct path.
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