1/9/14 Proverbs 1: 17-19 You Will Not Be Trapped by Your Enemies

Proverbs 1: 17-19 (NAS)

Indeed, it is useless to spread the net in the eyes of any bird; but they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors.

 

             Proverbs 1: 17-19 (NIVUS)

How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

 
Anyone who traps animals knows that he must lay his traps in secret. The element of surprise is essential to a well-laid trap; then the animal will be caught unawares. Your enemies try the same tactics with you; however, their best laid snares are never laid in secret, for the Lord your God sees and is aware of their schemes.
 
When your adversaries throw out a net to seize and destroy you, they are doing so in vain. They have no advantage over you. They have spread it in the sight of your Master. Even though they lurk in ambush, they will not be able to shed your blood. The death that they have planned for you will come back on them. They will be astonished when they see you go free, while they are perishing.  Even though they stay in hiding to protect their own lives, they will not find the quiet rest that you have as you rely on Adonai. They will be cut down and brought to silence.
 
Those, who take the well-trodden path of greed and plunder, will not find the gain that they seek. Their covetousness and dishonesty will not fulfill their desires, but will ultimately finish them off. The lucre that they get will be taken away from them again and their lives will not profit. They will receive only wounding and destruction.
 
You, however, will continue to prosper as you extend love and mercy to those around you. As the Almighty see the traps that evil men lay, He also beholds the goodness and righteousness of your life. And He will punish or reward each of you accordingly.

 

 

 

(Originally written 9/19/06)